4
Safety Rules
ANSI B71.3-1995 WARNINGS
Training
1. Read the operating and service instruction manual
carefully. Be thoroughly familiar with the controls and
the proper use of the equipment. Know how to stop
the unit and disengage the controls quickly.
2. Never allow children to operate the equipment.
Never allow adults to operate the equipment without
proper instruction.
3. Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, par-
ticularly small children and pets.
4. Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling especially
when operating in reverse.
Preparation
1. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is
to be used and remove all doormat, sleds, boards,
wires, and other foreign objects.
2. Disengage all clutches and shift into neutral before
starting engine (motor).
3. Do not operate the equipment without wearing ade-
quate winter outer garments. Wear footwear that will
improve footing on slippery surfaces.
4. Handle fuel with care; it is highly flammable.
(a) Use an approved fuel container.
(b) Never add fuel to a running engine or hot engine.
(c) Fill fuel tank outdoors with extreme care. Never
fill fuel tank indoors.
(d) Replace fuel cap securely and wipe up spilled
fuel.
5. Use extension cords and receptacles as specified by
the manufacturer for all units with electric drive
motors or electric starting motors.
6. Adjust the collector housing height to clear gravel or
crushed rock surfaces.
7. Never attempt to make any adjustments while the
engine (motor) is running (except when specifically
recommended by the manufacturer).
8. Let engine (motor) and machine adjust to outdoor
temperatures before starting to clear snow.
9. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields during
operation or while performing an adjustment or repair
to protect eye from foreign objects that may be
thrown from the machine.
Operation
1. Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts.
Keep clear of the discharge opening at all times.
2. Exercise extreme caution when operating on or
crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads. Stay alert for
hidden hazards or traffic.
3. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine
(motor), remove the wire from the spark plug, discon-
nect the cord on electric motors, thoroughly inspect
the snowthrower for any damage, and repair the
damage before restarting and operating the
snowthrower.
4. If the unit should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the
engine (motor) and check immediately for the cause.
Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.
5. Stop the engine (motor) whenever you leave the
operating position, before unclogging the
collector/impeller housing or discharge guide, and
when making any repairs, adjustments, or inspec-
tions.
6. When cleaning, repairing, or inspecting make certain
the collector/impeller and all moving parts have
stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire and keep
the wire away from the plug to prevent accidental
starting.
7. Do not run the engine indoors except for starting the
engine or for transporting the snowthrower in or out
of the building. Open the outside doors; exhaust
fumes are dangerous.
8. Do not clear snow across the face of slopes.
Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on
slopes. Do not attempt to clear steep slopes.
9. Never operate the snowthrower without proper
guards plates, or other safety protective devises in
place.
10. Never operate the snowthrower near glass enclo-
sures, automobiles, window wells, drop-offs, and the
like without proper adjustment of the discharge angle.
Keep children and pets away.
11. Do not overload the machine capacity by attempting
to clear snow at too fast a rate.
12. Never operate the machine at high transport speeds
on slippery surfaces. Look behind and use care
when backing.
13. Never direct discharge at bystanders or allow anyone
in front of the unit.
14. Disengage power to the collector/impeller when
snowthrower is transported or not in use.
15. Use only attachments and accessories approved by
the manufacturer of the snowthrower (such as wheel
weights, counterweights, cabs, and the like).
16. Never operate the snowthrower without good visibility
or light. Always be sure of your footing, and keep a
firm hold on the handles. Walk, never run.
Maintenance and Storage
1. Check shear bolts and other bolts at frequent inter-
vals for proper tightness to be sure the equipment is
in safe working condition.
2. Never store the machine with fuel in the fuel tank
inside a building where ignition sources are present
such as hot water and spacer heaters, clothes dryers,
and the like. Allow the engine to cool before storing
in any enclosure.
3. Always refer to the operator’s guide instructions for
important details if the snowthrower is to be stored for
an extended period.
4. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels as
necessary.
5. Run the machine a few minutes after throwing snow
to prevent freeze-up of the collector/impeller.
• Always observe safe refueling and fuel handling prac-
tices when refueling the unit after transportation or
storage.
• Always follow the engine manual instructions for stor-
age preparations before storing the unit for both short
and long term periods.
• Always follow the engine manual instructions for
proper start-up procedures when returning the unit to
service.
