Safety
Improper use or maintenance 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.
This product is capable of amputating hands and feet and
throwing objects. Always follow all safety instructions to
avoid serious injury or death.
This product is designed for cutting and recycling grass or,
when equipped with a grass bagger, for catching cut grass.
Any use for purposes other than these could prove dangerous
to user and bystanders.
Safe Operating Practices
The following instructions are from ANSI standard
B71.4-2012.
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 people or damage to
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.
•
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.
•
Slow down and use extra care on hillsides, when making
turns, when crossing roads and sidewalks, and when
changing directions on slopes. Be sure to travel side to
side on hillsides. Turf conditions can affect the machine's
stability. Use caution while operating near drop-offs. Stop
blades if not mowing.
•
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.
•
Look behind and down before backing up to be sure of
a clear path.
•
Keep pets and bystanders away.
•
Be aware of the mower discharge direction and do not
point it at anyone.
•
Do not operate the mower under the influence of alcohol
or drugs.
•
Use care when loading or unloading the machine into
or from a trailer or truck.
•
Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees,
or other objects that may obscure vision.
Safe handling of fuels
•
To avoid personal injury or property damage, use
extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive.
•
Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources
of ignition.
•
Use only an approved fuel container.
•
Never remove fuel cap or add fuel with the engine
running.
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