Important Safe Operation Practices
2
3
WARNING!
This symbol points
out important safety instructions
which, if not followed, could
endanger the personal safety
and/or property of yourself and
others. Read and follow all instructions in this
manual before attempting to operate this
machine. Failure to comply with these
instructions may result in personal injury. When
you see this symbol.
HEED ITS WARNING!
DANGER:
This machine was
built to be operated according to
the safe operation practices in
this manual. As with any type of
power equipment, carelessness or
error on the part of the operator can result in
serious injury. This machine is capable of
amputating fingers, hands, toes and feet and
throwing foreign objects. Failure to observe the
following safety instructions could result in
serious injury or death.
GENERAL OPERATION
1.
Read this operator’s manual carefully
in its entirety before attempting
to assemble this machine. Read,
understand, and follow all instructions on
the machine and in the manual(s) before
operation. Keep this manual in a safe
place for future and regular reference.
2.
Be completely familiar with the controls
and the proper use of this machine
before operating it.
3.
This machine is a precision piece of
power equipment, not a plaything.
Therefore, exercise extreme caution at all
times. This machine has been designed
to perform one job: to mow grass. Do not
use it for any other purpose.
4.
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
should be trained and supervised by an
adult.
5.
Only responsible individuals who are
familiar with these rules of safe operation
should be allowed to use this machine.
6.
Thoroughly inspect the area where the
equipment is to be used. Remove all
stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and other
foreign objects, which could be tripped
over or picked up and thrown by the
blade. Thrown objects can cause serious
personal injury.
7.
Plan your mowing pattern to avoid
discharge of material toward roads,
sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also,
avoid discharging material against a
wall or obstruction, which may cause
discharged material to ricochet back
toward the operator.
8.
To help avoid blade contact or a thrown
object injury, stay in operator zone
behind handles and keep children,
bystanders, helpers and pets at least 75
feet from mower while it is in operation.
Stop machine if anyone enters area.
9.
Always wear safety glasses or safety
goggles during operation and while
performing an adjustment or repair to
protect your eyes. Thrown objects which
ricochet can cause serious injury to the
eyes.
10.
Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes
and close-fitting slacks and shirts. Shirts
and pants that cover the arms and legs
and steel-toed shoes are recommended.
Never operate this machine in bare feet,
sandals, slippery or light-weight (e.g.
canvas) shoes.
11.
Do not put hands or feet near rotating
parts or under the cutting deck. Contact
with blade can amputate fingers, hands,
toes and feet.
12.
A missing or damaged discharge cover
can cause blade contact or thrown object
injuries.
13.
Many injuries occur as a result of the
mower being pulled over the foot during
a fall caused by slipping or tripping.
Do not hold on to the mower if you are
falling; release the handle immediately.
14.
Never pull the mower back toward
you while you are walking. If you must
back the mower away from a wall or
obstruction first look down and behind
to avoid tripping and then follow these
steps:
a.
Step back from mower to fully
extend your arms.
b.
Be sure you are well balanced with
sure footing.
c.
Pull the mower back slowly, no
more than half way toward you.
d.
Repeat these steps as needed.
15.
Do not operate the mower while under
the influence of alcohol or drugs.
16.
Do not engage the self-propelled
mechanism on machines so equipped
while starting engine.
17.
The blade control is a safety device. Never
attempt to bypass its operation. Doing
so makes the safety device inoperative
and may result in personal injury through
contact with the rotating blade. The
blade control must operate easily in both
directions and automatically return to the
disengaged position when released.
18.
Never operate the mower in wet grass.
Always be sure of your footing. A slip
and fall can cause serious personal
injury. If you feel you are losing your
footing, release the blade control handle
immediately and the blade will stop
rotating within three seconds.
19.
Mow only in daylight or good artificial
light. Walk, never run.
20.
Stop the engine when crossing gravel
drives, walks or roads.
21.
If the equipment should start to vibrate
abnormally, stop the engine,disconnect
the spark plug and check immediately for
the cause. Vibration is generally a warning
of trouble.
22.
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.
23.
Never operate mower without proper
trail shield, discharge cover, grass catcher,
blade control 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.
24.
Muffler and engine become hot and can
cause a burn. Do not touch.
25.
Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting
height adjustment while the engine is
running.
26.
Only use parts and accessories made for
this machine by the manufacturer. Failure
to do so can result in personal injury.
27.
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.
28.
If situations occur which are not covered
29.
Do not smoke while fuelling engine.
30.
Start the engine carefully with feet well
in this manual, use care and good
judgement. Contact Customer Support
for assistance or the name of the nearest
service dealer.
31.
Stop the engine whenever you leave
the mower, even for a moment.
32.
33.
Never cut grass while walking backwards.
34.
Replace worn or faulty silencers.
35.
Never pick up or carry a mower when it
is operating.
Store fuel in a cool place in a container
specifically designed for the purpose. In
general, plastics containers are
unsuitable.
36.
DAMAGED BLADES AND WORN BOLTS
ARE MAJOR HAZARDS.
away from the blades.
