4
Section 1: Safety
15. Mow only during daylight hours or
when good artificial light is available.
16. Do not operate the machine while
under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or
when tired or ill.
17. Never operate this machine in wet
grass. Be sure of your footing; keep a firm
hold on the handlebar and walk; never run.
18. Release the Trimmer Head Control
Bail before starting the engine.
19. If the unit starts to vibrate abnormally,
stop the engine and disconnect the spark
plug wire. Check immediately for the
cause. Vibration is generally a warning of
trouble.
20. Always wear approved safety goggles
or safety glasses with side shields when
operating machine. The use of any pow-
ered machine can result in foreign objects
being thrown by high speed rotating parts
which can cause personal injury or prop-
erty damage. Stay away from glass and
other easily thrown or breakable objects.
21. Wear work gloves and sturdy footwear
when using this machine. Leather work
shoes or short boots are ideal—they pro-
tect ankles and shins from rocks, pebbles,
splinters, etc.
22. It is advisable to wear protective
headgear to prevent the possibility of
being hit by small flying particles, etc.
23. Before each use, inspect the Throttle
Control Lever and its cable. Make sure the
cable is free and that the lever functions
properly.
24. Watch for traffic when near or when
crossing roadways.
25. Never attempt to carry children or
other passengers on the machine. They
could fall off and be seriously injured, or
they could interfere with safe operation of
the machine.
26. The machine is equipped with a plas-
tic debris shield in front of the engine and
a rubber debris flap under the frame. They
must be in place and working properly.
Never remove or cause the debris shield
or debris flap to cease working. If either
of these parts is missing or not working
properly, do not use the machine until this
situation is corrected.
27. Be aware of where the machine is dis-
charging materials and do not point the
discharge at anyone.
28. Never run the engine in an enclosed
area. Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide, a deadly gas that is odorless,
colorless and tasteless. Always run the
engine outdoors where there is adequate
ventilation.
29. Slow down before turning.
30. Shut off engine when not trimming or
mowing.
31. Use extra care when loading or
unloading machine into a trailer or truck.
32. Use this equipment for its intended
purpose only.
33. Always make sure the handlebars are
tight and comfortably positioned. They
should never be in an awkward position
for the operator.
Slope Operation
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of
control and tip-over accidents which can
result in severe injury or death. All slopes
require extra caution. If you can not back
up the slope or you feel uneasy on a slope,
do not mow it.
DO:
Mow across the face of slopes; never up
and down. Exercise extreme caution
when changing direction on slopes.
Avoid slopes greater than 15
o
.
Remove objects such as rocks, tree
limbs, etc.
Uneven terrain could overturn the
machine. Watch for holes, ruts, or
bumps. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
Use slow speed.
Use extra care with grass catchers or
other attachments. These can change
the stability of the machine. Keep all
movement on the slopes slow and grad-
ual.
Avoid starting or stopping on a slope.
DO NOT:
Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or
embankments. You could lose your
footing or balance.
Do not mow on very steep slopes.
Do not mow on wet grass. Slippery
footing can be hazardous.
Children
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator
is not alert to the presence of children.
Children are often attracted to the machine
and the mowing activity. Never assume
that children will remain where you last
saw them.
1. Keep children out of the mowing area
and under the watchful care of a responsi-
ble adult.
2. Be alert and turn machine off if children
enter the area.
3. Before and while moving backwards,
look behind and down for small children.
4. Never allow children to operate the
machine.
5. Use extra care near blind corners,
shrubs, trees or other objects that may
obscure vision.
6. Never carry children, even with the
trimmer head stopped. Children may fall
off and be seriously injured or interfere
with safe machine operation.
7. Do not allow children nearby if you are
working.
Service
1. Use extra care in handling gasoline and
other fuels. They are flammable and their
vapors are explosive. To help prevent a
fire or explosion:
a) Use only an approved container.
b) Never remove gas cap or add fuel
when engine is running. Let engine
cool before refueling. Do not smoke.
c) Never refuel the machine indoors.
Fill the fuel tank outdoors and with
extreme care.
d) Never store the machine or fuel
container inside where there is an
open flame, such as a water heater,
etc.
e) Replace caps on fuel tank and fuel
container and clean up spilled fuel
before starting engine. Move
machine away from any gasoline
fumes before starting engine.
f) Keep matches, smoking materials,
open flames, and sparks away from
the fuel tank and fuel container.
g) Leave 1/2" air space at top of fuel
tank to allow for fuel expansion.
2. Never run the engine inside a closed
area.
