If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop
the engine and check immediately for the cause. Vibration is
generally a warning of trouble.
This manual cannot include all situations that can occur when
you use the product. Be careful and use your common sense. Do
not operate the product or do maintenance to the product if you
are not sure about the situation. Contact Customer Support for
assistance.
SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents, which
can result in severe injury. Operation on slopes requires extra
caution. The machine is heavy and can speed up when going
downhill. Be prepared to maintain control of the machine. If you
feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it. If the slope is greater than
15 degrees, do not mow it.
Mow across the face of slopes, never up and down, to avoid loss
of control. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction
on slopes; watch for holes, ruts, rocks, hidden objects, or bumps
which can cause you to slip or trip. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious
personal injury. If you feel you are losing your balance, release the
blade control handle immediately and the blade will stop rotating.
Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments, because
you could lose your footing or balance.
WORK AREA SAFETY
Remove branches, twigs, stones and other objects from the lawn
before you start to cut.
Keep persons, including children, and animals at a safe distance
from the work area.
Objects that hit against the cutting equipment can be ejected and
cause damage to persons and objects.
Do not use the product in bad weather, including fog, rain, moist
or wet locations, strong winds, intense cold and risk of lightning.
Doing work in bad weather can cause fatigue and dangerous
conditions, such as slippery surfaces.
Examine your work area to make sure that your control of the
product cannot be prevented.
Be careful of roots, stones, twigs, pits and ditches.
High grass can conceal obstacles.
Operate the product only in daylight or in good artificial light.
Do not operate the product on wet grass.
9 I Safety
Be careful when you go near hidden corners and objects that can
prevent your view.
Maintain a high level of caution when you reverse or pull the
product in your direction.
MAINTENANCE SAFETY
Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting the product, stop the
engine and make certain the blade and all moving parts have
stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against
the engine and remove Electric Start Push Key (if equipped) to
prevent unintended starting.
Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at frequent intervals
for proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade for damage (e.g.,
bent, cracked, worn). Replace blade with the original equipment
manufacturer's (O.E.M.) blade only, listed in this manual. Use of
parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications
may lead to improper performance and compromise safety!
Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade or wear
gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.
Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the equipment is
in safe working condition.
Accessories and changes to the product that are not approved by
the manufacturer can cause serious injury or death. Do not alter
the product. Always use accessories that are approved by the
manufacturer.
Deflectors, guards and shields decrease the risk of objects being
ejected from the product in the direction of the operator or other
persons. Make sure the deflectors, guards and shields are not
damaged and that no defects are in view, such as cracks, broken
springs or missing hardware. Replace any damaged or missing
parts.
If the maintenance is not done correctly and regularly, the risk of
injury and damage to the product increases.
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