•If theequipmentshould startto vibrateabnormally,stoptheengine and
check immediatelyfor the cause.Vibrationis generallya warningof trouble.
•Shutthe engineoff andwait untilthe bladecomesto a completestop beforeremovingthe grass catcheror uncloggingthe chute.
The cuttingblade continuesto rotatefor a fewseconds afterthe engine is shut off. Neverplaceany part of the bodyinthe bladearea untilyou aresure the bladehas stoppedrotating.
•Neveroperatemowerwithoutpropertrailshield,dischargecover,grass catcher,bladecontrol handle,orothersafety protectivedevicesin place andworking.Neveroperatemowerwithdamagedsafetydevices.Failure to do so can resultin personalinjury.
•Mufflerandengine becomehotand can causea burn.Do nottouch.
•Only use partsand accessoriesmadefor this machineby manufacturer. Failureto do so can result in personalinjury. For recommendedacces- sories,call 1-800-659-5917.
•If situationsoccurwhich are notcoveredinthis manual,use careand goodjudgment. ContactyourSears ServiceCenterfor assistance.
SLOPE OPERATION
Slopesare a major factorrelatedto slip andfall accidentswhichcan resultin severeinjury.Operationon slopesrequiresextracaution.Ifyou feel uneasyon
aslope,do notmow it. For yoursafety,usethe slopeguideincludedas part of thismanualto measureslopesbeforeoperatingthis unit on a slopedor hilly area.If theslopeis greaterthan 15 degrees,do notmowit.
Do:
• Mow acrossthefaceof slopes; never up anddown. Exerciseextreme cautionwhenchangingdirectionon slopes.
• Watchfor holes,ruts,rocks, hiddenobjects,or bumpswhich can cause youto slip or trip.Tall grasscan hideobstacles.
• Alwaysbe sureof your footing.A slip andfall can causeseriouspersonal injury.If you feel you are losingyour balance,releasethe bladecontrol handle immediately,andthe bladewill stoprotatingwithin3 seconds.
Do Not:
•Do notmow neardrop-offs, ditchesorembankments,whereyou could lose yourfooting or balance.
•Do notmow slopesgreaterthan 15degrees asshownon the slopegauge.
•Do notmow on wetgrass. Unstablefooting couldcauseslipping.
SERVICE
Safe Handling Of Gasoline:
•Toavoidpersonalinjuryor propertydamage useextreme care in handlinggasoline. Gasolineis extremelyflammableandthevapors are explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan occurwhengasolineis spilledon yourselfor yourclotheswhichcan ignite.
•Washyourskin andchangeclothesimmediately.
•Useonly an approvedgasolinecontainer.
•Neverfill containersinsidea vehicle oron a truckor trailer bedwith a plastic liner.Alwaysplacecontainerson the ground awayfrom your vehiclebeforefilling.
•Removegas-poweredequipmentfrom thetruck ortrailer and refuel it on theground. If this is not possible,then refuel such equipmenton a trailer witha portablecontainer,ratherthan from a gasolinedispensernozzle.
•Keepthe nozzlein contact withthe rimof thefuel tank or container openingat all timesuntil fueling is complete.Donot usea nozzle lock-opendevice.
•Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars, pipesand othersources of ignition.
•Neverfuel machineindoorsbecauseflammablevapors willaccumulate inthe area.
•Neverremovegas cap or addfuel while engineis hotor running. Allowengineto cool at least two minutesbeforerefueling.
•Neveroverfill fuel tank.Fill tankto no morethan V2inch belowbottom of filler neckto provideforfuel expansion.
•Replacegasolinecap andtighten securely.
•If gasolineis spilled,wipe it off the engineand equipment.Moveunit to anotherarea.Wait 5 minutesbeforestarting engine.
•Neverstorethe machineorfuel container nearan openflame, spark or pilot light ason a waterheater,spaceheater,furnace,clothesdryer, or othergas appliances.
•To reducefire hazard,keepmowerfree of grass, leaves,or other debris build-up.Clean up oil or fuel spillageandremoveany fuel soakeddebris.
•Allowa mowerto cool at least 5 minutesbeforestoring.
General Service:
•Neverrun an engine indoorsorin a poorlyventilatedarea.Engine exhaustcontainscarbon monoxide,an odorlessand deadlygas.
•Beforecleaning, repairing,or inspecting,makecertainthe bladeand all movingparts havestopped.Disconnectthe sparkplugwire and ground againsttheengine to preventunintendedstarting.
•Checkthe bladeand engine mountingboltsat frequentintervalsfor propertightness.Also, visuallyinspectbladefor damage(e.g.,bent, cracked,worn) Replacebladewith theoriginal equipmentmanufac- ture's(O.E.M.)bladeonly, listedin this manual.Use of parts whichdo notmeetthe originalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto improper performanceandcompromisesafety!
•Mowerbladesare sharpand can cut. Wrapthe bladeor weargloves, and use extra cautionwhenservicingthem.
•Keepall nuts, bolts,andscrewstightto be surethe equipmentis in safeworkingcondition.
•Nevertamperwith safetydevices.Checktheir proper operationregularly.
•After strikinga foreignobject, stoptheengine,disconnectthe spark plugwire and groundagainstthe engine.Thoroughlyinspectthe mowerfor any damage. Repairthe damagebeforestartingand operatingthe mower.
•Neverattemptto makea wheelor cutting heightadjustmentwhilethe engine is running.
•Grasscatchercomponents,dischargecover,andtrailshieldare subjectto wear anddamagewhichcould exposemovingparts or allowobjectsto be thrown.For safetyprotection,frequentlycheck componentsand replaceimmediatelywithoriginalequipment manufacturer's(O.E.M.)parts only, listedin this manual.Use of parts which do notmeet theoriginal equipmentspecificationsmayleadto improperperformanceand compromisesafety!
•Donotchangetheengine governorsetting oroverspeedthe engine. The governorcontrolsthe maximumsafeoperatingspeed of the engine.
•Maintainor replacesafetylabels,as necessary.
•Observeproperdisposallawsand regulations.Improperdisposalof fluids and materialscan harmtheenvironment.
