c.Become familiar with all of the machine con- trols, instrumentation, safety and instruction signs, and safety devices.
d.Move (or have moved) the machine to a safe, level area with no obstructions including objects, pedestrians, and animals.
2.Initial Operation:
a.Use protective equipment for eyes, hands, hearing, feet, legs, head and other areas of the body if needed — safety eye glasses, gloves, earplugs, boots, hats, etc.
WARNING:
Hearing Protection is required for all operator exposure exceeding two (2) hours.
b.Ensure that the area is free of animals and bystanders, especially children!
c.Survey the area where the equipment is to be used to make sure it is free of debris, sticks, stones, wires, bones, and other foreign objects which could cause injury to bystand- ers, damage to the machine, or damage to nearby facilities.
d.Inspect the machine to make sure:
1.All guards, shields (including mower chute deflector) are in their proper place, are secure, and are functional.
2.That there are no spilled or leaking fuel or oil sources, nor loose fuel or hydraulic tank caps, hoses or fittings.
3.That there are no loose or missing hardware nor any missing items.
4.That no
5.That all safety signs and decals are properly installed and legible.
e.This is a one person machine, operator only! Riders are not permitted under any circum- stance!
f.To start the engine on the machine:
1.Make sure the park brake is set to the “ON” position, both lap bars are in the neutral/ start position, and the Power Take Off (PTO also referred to as blade control switch) is in the “off” (down) position.
2.Move the choke control forward and the engine speed control (throttle) forward (half way).
3.Insert the ignition key, turn the switch toward the
4.Retard the choke slowly by moving it rear- ward. If the engine is “cold”, the choke may need to be partially applied for a few min- utes. Be sure to totally retard the choke after the engine has “warmed up”.
g.Check safety devices:
1.With the park brake engaged, try to move one of the lap bars (speed/directional con- trol) from the neutral/start position — the lap bars should not move with the park brake engaged.
2.Repeat this procedure with the opposite side lap bars.
3.With the park brake engaged and the lap bars in the neutral/start position, advance the engine speed control completely forward
h.To drive in the FORWARD direction:
1.Set the engine speed to 2000 to 2500 rpm (refer to tachometer on right control panel). This must be increased to full speed (3525- 3675 rpm) after becoming familiar with the machine.
2.Release the park brake.
3.Slowly, move both lap bars toward the front of the machine until the machine begins to move forward — release the lap bars and the machine should stop moving. The more that the lap bars are moved toward the front of the machine, the faster the machine will move in the forward direction. Release the lap bars and the machine should stop travel- ing forward. (This is a safety check, the nor- mal procedure is for the operator to slowly bring the lap bars to the neutral position).
4.Do not advance the lap bars rapidly as this could cause turf defacement, loss of trac- tion, and/or instability.
5.To turn, advance one lap bar ahead of the other and the machine will turn toward the opposite from the side that was advanced
— I.E. to turn clockwise (to the Right), move the LEFT lap bar forward more than the right side, and to turn
i.To drive in the REVERSE direction:
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