Safety
Note:
The addition of attachments made by
other manufacturers that do not meet American
National Standards Institute certification will cause
noncompliance of this machine.
Improper use or maintenance by the operator or
owner can result in injury. To reduce the potential
for injury, comply with these safety instructions
and always pay attention to the safety alert symbol
, which means CAUTION, WARNING, or
DANGER-“personal safety instruction." Failure to
comply with the instruction may result in personal injury
or death.
Safe Operating Practices
The following instructions are from ANSI standard
B71.4-2004.
Training
•
Read the Operator’s Manual and other training
material. If the operator(s) or mechanic(s) can not
read English it is the owner’s responsibility to explain
this material to them.
•
Become familiar with the safe operation of the
equipment, operator controls, and safety signs.
•
All operators and mechanics should be trained. The
owner is responsible for training the users.
•
Never let children or untrained people operate or
service the equipment. Local regulations may restrict
the age of the operator.
•
The owner/user can prevent and is responsible for
accidents or injuries occurring to himself or herself,
other people or property.
Preparation
•
Evaluate the terrain to determine what accessories
and attachments are needed to properly and
safely perform the job. Only use accessories and
attachments approved by the manufacturer.
•
Wear appropriate clothing including hard hat, safety
glasses and hearing protection. Long hair, loose
clothing or jewelry may get tangled in moving parts.
•
Inspect the area where the equipment is to be used
and remove all objects such as rocks, toys and wire
which can be thrown by the machine.
•
Use extra care when handling gasoline and other
fuels. They are flammable and vapors are explosive.
– Use only an approved container
– Never remove gas cap or add fuel with engine
running. Allow engine to cool before refueling.
Do not smoke.
– Never refuel or drain the machine indoors.
•
Check that operator’s presence controls, safety
switches and shields are attached and functioning
properly. Do not operate unless they are functioning
properly.
Operation
•
Lightning can cause severe injury or death. If
lightning is seen or thunder is heard in the area, do
not operate the machine; seek shelter.
•
Never run an engine in an enclosed area.
•
Only operate in good light, keeping away from holes
and hidden hazards.
•
Be sure all drives are in neutral and parking brake is
engaged before starting engine. Only start engine
from the operator’s position.
•
Be sure of your footing while using this machine,
especially when backing up. Walk, don’t run. Never
operate on wet grass. Reduced footing could cause
slipping.
•
Slow down and use extra care on hillsides. Be sure
to travel side to side on hillsides. Turf conditions
can affect the machine’s stability. Use caution while
operating near drop-offs.
•
Slow down and use caution when making turns and
when changing directions on slopes.
•
Never raise deck with the blades running.
•
Never operate with the PTO shield, or other guards
not securely in place. Be sure all interlocks are
attached, adjusted properly, and functioning properly.
•
Never operate with the discharge deflector raised,
removed or altered, unless using a grass catcher.
•
Do not change the engine governor setting or
overspeed the engine.
•
Stop on level ground, disengage drives, engage
parking brake (if provided), shut off engine before
leaving the operator’s position for any reason
including emptying the catchers or unclogging the
chute.
•
Stop equipment and inspect blades after striking
objects or if an abnormal vibration occurs. Make
necessary repairs before resuming operations.
•
Keep hands and feet away from the cutting unit.
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