WARNING
•The engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
•This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved
•In the State of California, the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other States may have similar laws. Federal laws apply to federal lands. A spark arrester muffler may be available.
IMPORTANT | SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES |
THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF NOT FOL- LOWED, COULD ENDANGER THE PERSONAL SAFETY AND/OR PROPERTY OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPT- ING TO OPERATE YOUR UNIT. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY
RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL- 
HEED ITS WARNING.
Your lawn mower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part DANGER of the operator can result in injury. This lawn mower is capable of amputating hands
and feet or throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
GENERAL SAFETY
OPERATIONS
A. GENERAL OPERATION
1.Read, understand and follow all instructions in the manual and on the machine before start- ing. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.
2.Only allow responsible individuals familiar with the instructions to operate the machine. Know the controls and how to stop the machine quickly.
3.Do not put hands or feet under the cutting deck or near rotating parts.
4.Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, etc. which could be picked up and thrown by the blades. A small object may have been overlooked and could be accidentally thrown by the mower in any direction and cause injury to you or a bystander. To help avoid a thrown objects injury, keep children, animals, bystanders and helpers at least 75 feet from the mower while it is in operation. Always wear safety glasses with side shields or safety goggles during operation or while performing and adjustment or repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects. Stop the blades when cross- ing gravel drives, walks or roads.
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5.Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
6.Never carry passengers.
7.Disengage the blades before shifting into reverse and backing up. Always look down and behind before and while backing.
8.Be aware of the mower and attachment dis- charge direction and do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the mower without either the entire grass catcher or the chute guard in place.
9.Slow down before turning. Operate the machine smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive speed.
10.Never leave a running machine unattended. Always turn off the blades, place the transmis- sion in neutral, set the parking brake, stop the engine and remove key before dismounting.
11.Turn off blades when not mowing.
12.Stop the engine and wait until the blades come to a complete stop before (a) removing the grass catcher or unclogging chute, or (b) making any repairs, adjusting or removing any grass or debris.
13.Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
14.Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
15.Watch for traffic when operating near or cross- ing roadways.
16.Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer or truck. This unit