4
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
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If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine and
check immediately for the cause. Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.
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Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to a complete stop before
removing the grass catcher or unclogging the chute. The cutting blade
continues to rotate for a few seconds after the blade control is released.
Never place any part of the body in the blade area until you are sure the
blade has stopped rotating.
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Never operate mower without proper trail shield, discharge cover, grass
catcher, blade control handle or other safety protective devices in place and
working. Never operate mower with damaged safety devices. Failure to do
so can result in personal injury.
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Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not touch.
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Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting height adjustment while the
engine is running.
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Only use parts and accessories made for this machine by the manufacturer as
listed in the Parts pages of this Operator’s Manual. Failure to do so can result
in personal injury.
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When starting engine, pull cord slowly until resistance is felt, then pull
rapidly. Rapid retraction of starter cord (kickback) will pull hand and arm
toward engine faster than you can let go. Broken bones, fractures, bruises or
sprains could result.
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If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care and good
judgement.
SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents, which can result in severe
injury. Operation on slopes requires extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do
not mow it. For your safety, use the Slope Guide included as part of this manual to
measure slopes before operating this machine on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope
is greater than 15 degrees, do not mow it.
Do:
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Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down. Exercise extreme caution
when changing direction on slopes.
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Watch for holes, ruts, rocks, hidden objects, or bumps which can cause you
to slip or trip. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
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Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal
injury. If you feel you are losing your balance, release the blade control
handle immediately and the blade will stop rotating within three (3)
seconds.
Do Not:
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Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments, because you could
lose your footing or balance.
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Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as shown on the slope guide.
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Do not mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could cause slipping.
CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children.
Children are often attracted to the mower and the mowing activity. They do not
understand the dangers. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw
them.
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Keep children out of the mowing area and under watchful care of a
responsible adult other than the operator.
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Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the area.
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Before and while moving backwards, look behind and down for small
children.
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Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, doorways, shrubs, trees,
or other objects that may obscure your vision of a child who may run into the
mower.
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Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer burns from
a hot muffler.
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Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate this machine. Children
14 and over should read and understand the instructions and safe operation
practices in this manual and on the machine and be trained and supervised
by an adult.
SERVICE
Safe Handling of Gasoline:
To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in handling
gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.
Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on yourself or your
clothes which can ignite. Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.
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Use only an approved gasoline container.
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Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic
liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle before
filling.
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Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel it on
the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment on a trailer
with a portable container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.
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Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or container opening
at all times until fueling is complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open device.
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Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources
of ignition.
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Never fuel machine indoors because flammable vapors will accumulate in
the area.
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Never remove gas cap or add fuel while engine is hot or running. Allow
engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.
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Never over-fill fuel tank. To allow for expansion of the fuel, do not fill above
the bottom of the fuel tank neck.
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Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
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If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment. Move machine to
another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting engine.
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Never store the machine or fuel container near an open flame, spark or pilot
light as on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas
appliances.
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To reduce fire hazard, keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debris
build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel-soaked debris.
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Allow machine to cool at least 5 minutes before storing.