LAWN MOWER SAFETY WARNINGS
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
RISK OF EXPLOSION OR FIRE
What can happen:
• Spilled petrol and its vapours can become ignited from cigarette sparks, electrical
arcing, exhaust gases and hot engine components such as the muffler.
• Heat will expand fuel in the tank which could result in a fire.
• Operating the tool in an explosive environment could result in a fire.
• Muffler exhaust heat can damage painted surfaces, melt any materials sensitive to
heat (such as siding plastic, rubber or vinyl) and damage live plants. Keep hot tool
away from other objects.
• Improperly stored fuel could lead to accidental ignition. Fuel improperly secured
could get into the hands of children or other unqualified persons.
How to prevent it:
• Shut off engine and allow it to cool before adding fuel to the tank.
• Use care when filling the tank to avoid spilling fuel. Move tool away from fuelling
area before starting engine.
• Keep maximum fuel level 20mm below top of tank to allow for expansion.
• Operate and refuel in well ventilated areas free from obstructions.
• Store fuel in a approved container (AS/NZS 2906-1999) for petrol. Store in a
secure location away from the work area. Make sure the container is clearly
marked “fuel”.
RISK TO BREATHING
What can happen:
• Breathing exhaust fumes can cause serious injury or death. How to prevent it:
How to prevent it:
• Operate tool in a well ventilated area. Avoid enclosed areas.
• Never operate unit in a location occupied by other people or animals.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
1) Work area
a) Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered and dark areas invite accidents.
b) Do not operate petrol tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence
of flammable liquids, gases, or dust.
Power tools create sparks which may ignite
the dust or fumes.
c) Keep children and bystanders away while operating a petrol tool.
Distractions can cause you to lose control.
2) Personal safety
a) Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating
a petrol tool.
Do not use a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of
drugs, alcohol, or medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools
may result in serious personal injury.
b) Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection.
Safety equipment such
as a dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for
appropriate conditions will reduce personal injuries.
c) Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the tool on.
A wrench or
a key that is left attached to a rotating part of the petrol tool may result in personal
injury.
d) Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times.
This enables
better control of the petrol tool in unexpected situations.
e) Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewellery.
Keep your hair,
clothing and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewellery or long hair
can be caught in moving parts.
f) If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection
facilities ensure that these are connected and properly used.
Use of these
devices can reduce dust-related hazards.
3) Petrol tool use and care
a) Do not force the petrol tool. Use the correct petrol tool for your application.
The correct petrol tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was
designed.
b) Do not use the petrol tool if the switch does not turn it on and off.
Any petrol
tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
c) Turn tool off completely before making any adjustments, changing
accessories, or storing petrol tools.
Such preventive safety measures reduce
the risk of starting the petrol tool accidentally. Hair can be caught in moving parts.
d) Store idle petrol tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons
unfamiliar with the petrol tool or these instructions to operate the petrol tool.
Petrol tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
e) Maintain petrol tools. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts,
breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the petrol tool’s
operation.
If damaged, have the petrol tool repaired before use. Many accidents
are caused by poorly maintained petrol tools.
f) Keep cutting tools sharp and clean.
Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp
cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.
g) Use the petrol tool, accessories and tool bits etc., In accordance with these
instructions and in the manner intended for the particular type of petrol tool,
taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed.
Use of the petrol tool for operations different from intended could result in a
hazardous situation.
h) This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with
reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and
knowledge,
unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use
of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety.
i) Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the
appliance.
4) Service
a) Have your petrol tool serviced by a qualified repair personnel using only
identical replacement parts.
This will ensure that the safety of the petrol tool is
maintained.
WARNING!
If not used properly this lawn mower can be dangerous!
This lawn mower can cause serious injury to the operator and others, the warnings and
safety instructions must be followed to ensure reasonable safety and efficiency in using this
lawn mower. The operator is responsible for following the warning and safety and instructions in
this manual and on the lawn mower. Never use the mower unless the catcher or guards provided
by the manufacturer are in the correct position.
1) Training
• Read the instructions carefully. Be familiar with the controls and the proper use of the appliance.
• Never allow children or people unfamiliar with these instructions to use the appliance. Local
regulations may restrict the age of the operator.
• Never mow while people, especially children, or pets are nearby.
• The operator or user is responsible for accidents or hazards occurring to other people or their
property
• Know your controls. Read the manual carefully. Learn how to stop the engine quickly in an
emergency.
2) Preparation
• While mowing, always wear substantial footwear and long trousers.
• Do not operate the appliance when barefoot or wearing open sandals.
• Thoroughly inspect the area where the appliance is to be used and remove all stones, sticks,
wires, bones, and other foreign objects. They could be thrown by the blade.
• Before using, always visually inspect to see that the blades, blade bolts and cutter assembly are
not worn or damaged. Replace worn or damaged blades and bolts in sets to preserve balance.
DAMAGED BLADES AND WORN BOLTS ARE MAJOR HAZARDS.
• On multi-bladed appliances, take care as rotating one blade can cause other blades to rotate.
3) Operation
• Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light.
• Avoid operating the appliance in wet grass, where feasible.
• Always be sure of your footing on slopes.
• Walk, never run.
• For wheeled rotary mowers, mow across the face of slopes, never up and down.
• Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.
• Do not mow excessively steep slopes.
• Use extreme caution when reversing or pulling the appliance towards you.
• Never cut grass while walking backwards.
• Stop the blade(s) if the appliance has to be tilted for transportation when crossing surfaces other
than grass, and when transporting the appliance to and from the area to be mowed such as
gravel drives, walks or roads.
• Never operate the appliance with defective guards or shields, or without safety devices, for
example deflectors and/or grass catchers, in place.
• Start the engine according to instructions and with feet well away from the blade(s).
• Do not tilt the appliance when starting the engine, except if the appliance has to be tilted for
starting. In this case, do not tilt it more than absolutely necessary and lift only the part which
is away from the operator. Always ensure that both hands are in the operating position before
returning the appliance to the ground.
• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts. For rotary mowers, keep clear of the
discharge opening at all times.
• Never pick up or carry an appliance while the engine is running.
• Stop the engine:
- whenever you leave the machine;
- before clearing a blockage;
- before checking, cleaning or working on the appliance;
- after striking a foreign object. Inspect the appliance for damage and make repairs as necessary;
- if the appliance starts to vibrate abnormally (check immediately).
• Refuel outdoors only. Do not smoke while fuelling 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 machine away from the area
of the spill and avoid creating any source of ignition until petrol vapours have dissipated.
• Do not operate engine in a confined space where exhaust fumes (carbon monoxide) can collect.
• Do not over-speed the engine or alter governor settings. Excessive speed is dangerous and
shortens mower life.
• Turn the fuel off at the conclusion of mowing and reduce the throttle setting during engine run-out.
4) Maintenance and storage
• Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the appliance is in safe working condition.
• Check the grass catcher frequently for wear or deterioration.
• Replace worn or damaged parts for safety.
• For cylinder mowers, be careful during adjustment of the appliance to prevent entrapment of the
fingers between moving blades and fixed parts of the appliance.
• Store the mower in a well-ventilated room away from naked flames such that may be found in hot
water heaters.
