8
Keep Shields in Place
Guards and shields are designed to protect you from being hit by
thrown objects and from hot engine parts and moving components.
For your safety and the safety of others, never use the mower unless
the grass catcher, or guards provided by the manufacturer, are in
position.
Refuel With Care
Petrol is extremely flammable and petrol vapor can explode.Never
smoke near petrol, and keep other flames and sparks away. Refuel
outdoors only, in a well-ventilated area, with the engine OFF. Do not
smoke while fueling the engine. Add fuel before starting the engine.
Never remove the cap off the fuel tank or add petrol while the engine
is running or the engine is hot. If petrol is spilled, do not attempt to
start the engine but move the machine away from the area of the spill
and avoid creating any source of ignition until petrol vapors have
dissipated.
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. Remove petrol powered equipment from the
truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then
refuel such equipment with a portable container, rather than from a
petrol dispenser nozzle.
Store fuel in a cool place in a container specifically designed for the
purpose. In general, plastics containers are unsuitable.
Wear Protective Clothing
Never mow while barefoot or wearing open sandals, or thongs. Wear
long trousers and heavy shoes. It is advisable to wear suitable eye
protection when operating a mower.
Stop the Engine When Not Mowing
Stop the engine whenever you leave the mower, even for a moment.
Avoid Slopes
Mow across the face of slopes, never up
and down. Exercise extreme caution when
changing direction on slopes. Do not mow
excessively steep slopes (more than 20
°
).
Mowing on a slope when the grass is
damp or wet could cause you to slip, fall,
and lose control of the mower.
NOTICE
Mowing on steep slopes of more than 20°
can starve the engine of oil causing severe
engine damage, which is not covered by
the
LIMITED WARRANTY (
)
.
Keep all four wheels on the ground, and be careful to avoid losing
your footing and your control of the mower. Keep a firm grip on the
handlebar, and walk, never run, with the mower. Be very careful when
mowing uneven or rough ground. Do not mow near drop offs, ditches,
or embankments. You could lose your footing or balance.
If stuck, do not kick or shove the mower with your foot. Use the
handlebar to control the mower.
Avoid Obstacles
Gravel, loose stones, and landscaping material can be picked up by
the mower and thrown many feet with enough force to cause serious
personal injury and/or property damage. Stop the engine before
pushing the mower across gravel drives, walks, or roads.
Never direct discharged material toward anyone. Avoid discharging
material against a wall or obstruction. Material may ricochet back
toward the operator. The best way to prevent potential injury from
thrown objects is to release the blade control lever to stop the blades
before reaching areas with gravel, loose stones, or landscaping
material.
Be careful when mowing over obstacles that stick up above the
surface of the lawn such as sprinkler heads, paving, edging, raised
tree roots, etc.
Stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire and inspect the
mower if the mower begins to vibrate abnormally or after striking a
foreign object (
). Striking objects may damage the blades,
bend the crankshaft, and/or break the mower deck or other
components. Vibration usually indicates serious trouble.
The
LIMITED WARRANTY
) does not cover parts damaged
by accidental impact collision.
Operating the Controls
Blade Control Lever
The blade control lever must be
pulled back against the
handlebar to start and run the
engine. The blades start to
rotate when the lever is pulled
back against the handlebar and
the recoil starter grip is pulled.
Continue to hold the lever fully against the handlebar. This will keep
the engine and blades rotating smoothly and prevent premature wear
to the flywheel brake system.
Release the blade control lever to stop the engine and stop blade
rotation whenever you need to leave the mower.
Smart Drive Control
With the engine running
and the blades rotating,
slowly push the Smart
Drive control to propel the
mower forward.
Ground speed will increase
as more pressure is applied
to the Smart Drive control.
After maximum ground speed is obtained, applying additional
pressure will not further increase ground speed. Apply only enough
pressure to achieve the desired speed.
Release the Smart Drive control to disengage the drive when mowing
around trees and other obstacles. Push the mower around obstacles
for better directional control.
Ground speed varies with terrain, grass height, slope, and grass bag
weight. Moving the Smart Drive control allows you to maintain the
desired ground speed under constantly changing mowing conditions.
Release the Smart Drive control to disengage (stop) the rear wheels.
WARNING
A worn, cracked, or damaged blade can break, and pieces of
the damaged blade can become dangerous projectiles.
Blades thrown from the mower could seriously hurt or kill
someone.
Inspect the blades regularly (see
), and do not operate
the mower with a worn or damaged blade.
BLADE CONTROL LEVER
To prevent thumb fatigue, hold
the Smart Drive control as shown.
