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If the machine should start to make an unusual noise or
vibration, immediately shut off the engine, disconnect the
spark plug wire, and check for the cause. Unusual noise
or vibration is generally a warning of trouble.
Use only attachments and accessories approved by the
manufacturer. Failure to do so can result in personal
injury.
Maintain the machine. Check for misalignment or binding
of moving parts, breakage of parts and any other condi-
tion that may affect the machine’s operation. If damaged,
have the machine repaired before use. Many accidents
are caused by poorly maintained equipment.
Keep the engine and muffler free of grass, leaves, ex-
cessive grease or carbon build up to reduce the chance
of a fire hazard.
Never douse or squirt the unit with water or any other
liquid. Keep handles dry, clean and free from debris.
Clean after each use.
Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for gas,
oil, etc. to protect the environment.
Store idle machine out of the reach of children and do
not allow persons unfamiliar with the machine or
these instructions to operate it. Machine is dangerous
in the hands of untrained users.
Service
Before cleaning, repair, inspecting, or adjusting, shut off
the engine and make certain that all moving parts have
stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep the
wire away from the plug to prevent accidental starting.
Have your machine serviced by qualified repair person-
nel using only identical replacement parts. This will en-
sure the safety of the machine maintained.
m
Specific Safety Rules
Thoroughly inspect the area to be worked, keep the
working area clean and free of debris to prevent trip-
ping. Operate on a flat level ground.
Never place any part of your body where it would be
in danger if movement should occur during assembly,
installation, and operation, maintenance, repairing or
moving.
Keep all bystanders, children, and pets at least 23m
(75 feet) away. If you are approached, stop the unit im-
mediately.
Start the engine carefully according to instructions and
with feet well away from the moving parts.
Never leave the operating position when the engine is
running.
Always hold the unit with both hands when operat-
ing. Keep a firm grip on the handlebars. Be aware that
the machine may unexpectedly bounce upward or jump
forward if the machine should strike buried obstacles
such as large stones.
Walk, never run with the machine.
Use extreme caution when in reverse or pulling the ma-
chine towards you.
Exercise extreme caution when operating on or cross-
ing gravel drives, walks, or roads. Stay alert for hidden
hazards or traffic.
Fuel safety
Fuel is highly flammable, and its vapors can explode
if ignited. Take precautions when using to reduce the
chance of serious personal injury.
When refilling or draining the fuel tank, use an approved
fuel storage container while in a clean, well-ventilated
outdoor. Do not smoke, or allow sparks, open flames or
other sources of ignition near the area while adding fuel
or operating the unit. Never fill fuel tank indoors.
Keep grounded conductive objects, such as tools, away
from exposed, live electrical parts and connections to
avoid sparking or arcing. These events could ignite
fumes or vapors.
Always stop the engine and allow it to cool before filling
the fuel tank. Never remove the cap of the fuel tank or
add fuel while the engine is running or when the engine
is hot. Do not operate the machine with known leaks in
the fuel system.
Loose the fuel tank cap slowly to relieve any pressure
in the tank.
Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than 12.5mm
(1/2”) below the bottom of the filler neck to provide space
for expansion as the heat of the engine can cause fuel
to expand.
Replace all fuel tank and container caps securely and
wipe up spilt fuel. Never operate the unit without the fuel
cap securely in place.
Avoid creating a source of ignition for spilt fuel. If fuel is
spilt, do not attempt to start the engine but move the ma-
chine away from the area of spillage and avoid creating
any source of ignition until fuel vapors have dissipated.
Store fuel in containers specifically designed and ap-
proved for this purpose.
Store fuel in a cool, well-ventilated area, safely away
from sparks, open flames or other sources of ignition.
Never store fuel or machine with fuel in the tank inside
a building where fumes may reach a spark, open flame,
or other sources of ignition, such as a water heater, fur-
nace, clothes dryer and the like. Allow the engine to cool
before storing in any enclosure.
Machine use and care
Position the machine in such a way that it can not move
during maintenance, cleaning, adjustment, assembly of
accessories or spare parts, as well as under storage.
Do not force the machine. Use the correct machine for
your application. The correct machine will do the job bet-
ter and safer at the rate for which it is designed.
Do not change the engine governor settings or over-
speed the engine. The governor controls the maximum
safe operating speed of the engine.
Do not run the engine at a high speed when you are
not working.
Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts.
Avoid contact with hot fuel, oil, exhaust fumes and hot
surfaces. Do not touch the engine or muffler. These parts
get extremely hot from operation. They remain hot for a
short time after you turn off the unit. Allow the engine to
cool before doing maintenance or making adjustments.