3
This manual identifies potential hazards and has special
safety messages that help you and others avoid personal
injury and even death. Danger, Warning, and Caution are
signal words used to identify the level of hazard. However,
regardless of the hazard, be extremely careful.
Danger signals an extreme hazard that will cause serious
injury or death if you do not follow the recommended
precautions.
Warning signals a hazard that may cause serious injury or
death if you do not follow the recommended precautions.
Caution signals a hazard that may cause minor or moderate
injury if you do not follow the recommended precautions.
This manual uses 2 other words to highlight information.
Important
calls attention to special mechanical
information and Note: emphasizes general information
worthy of special attention.
Safety
Models 38517 and 38518 meet or exceed the B71.3
specifications of the American National Standards
Institute in effect at the time of production.
To ensure maximum safety and best performance, and
to gain knowledge of the product, it is essential that you
and any other operator of the snowthrower read and
understand the contents of this manual before the
engine is ever started.
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you
to potential personal injury hazards. Obey all safety
messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible
injury or death.
Improperly using or maintaining this snowthrower
could result in injury or death. To reduce this potential,
comply with the following safety instructions.
Safe Operating Practices
The following instructions have been adapted from the
ANSI/OPEI B71.3–1995 standard and the ISO 8437:1989
standard.
Training
•
Read the operator’s manual carefully. Be thoroughly
familiar with the controls and the proper use of the
equipment. Know how to stop the unit and disengage
the controls quickly.
•
Never allow children to operate the snowthrower. Never
allow adults to operate the snowthrower without proper
instruction.
•
Keep the area of operation clear of all persons
(particularly small children) and pets.
•
Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling.
Preparation
•
Thoroughly inspect the area where you will use the
snowthrower. Remove all doormats, sleds, boards,
wires, and other foreign objects.
•
Release the control bar to disengage the rotor blades
before starting the engine.
•
Do not operate the snowthrower without wearing
adequate winter garments. Wear footwear that will
improve your footing on slippery surfaces.
•
Handle fuel with care; it is highly flammable.
–
Use an approved fuel container.
–
Never add fuel to a running or hot engine.
–
Fill the fuel tank outdoors with extreme care. Never
fill the fuel tank indoors.
–
Replace the fuel tank cap securely and wipe up any
spilled fuel.
•
Use only the power cord supplied with the snowthrower
and a receptacle appropriate for use with the power cord
for electric-start motors.
•
Never attempt to make any adjustments while the
engine is running, except where specifically
recommended by Toro.
•
Let the engine and the snowthrower adjust to the
outdoor temperature before starting to clear snow.
•
Operating any powered machine can result in foreign
objects being thrown into the eyes. Always wear safety
glasses or eye shields while operating, adjusting, or
repairing the snowthrower.
Operation
•
Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts.
Keep clear of the discharge opening at all times.
•
Exercise extreme caution when crossing gravel drives,
walks, or roads. Stay alert for hidden hazards or traffic.
•
Do not attempt to clear snow from a crushed-rock or
gravel surface. This product is intended for use only on
paved surfaces.
•
After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, remove
the ignition key, thoroughly inspect the snowthrower for
any damage, and repair the damage before operating the
snowthrower.
•
If the unit should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the
engine and check immediately for the cause. Vibration
is generally a warning of trouble.
