Important Safe Operation Practices | Yard Machines 462 Thru 465

SECTION 3: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

WARNING: THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF NOT FOLLOWED, COULD ENDANGER THE PERSONAL SAFETY AND/OR PROPERTY OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE YOUR CHIPPER-SHREDDER. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL: HEED ITS WARNING.

WARNING: The Engine Exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the

State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

DANGER: Your chipper-shredder 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 of the operator can result in serious injury. This chipper-shredder is capable of amputating fingers and hands and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

1. GENERAL OPERATION

•Read this operator's manual carefully in its entirety before attempting to assemble this machine. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual(s) before operation. Be completely familiar with the controls and the proper use of the machine before operating it. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.

•Your chipper-shredder is a powerful tool, not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at all times. Your unit has been designed to perform two jobs; to chip and shred vegetation found in a normal yard. Do not use it for any other purpose.

•Never allow children under age 16 to operate the unit. Children 16 years and older should only operate the unit under close parental supervision. Only responsible individuals who are familiar with these rules of safe operation should be allowed to use your unit.

•Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, particularly small children and pets. Stop the engine when they are in the vicinity of the unit. Keep work area clean and clear of branches or obstacles which could cause you to stumble or fall.

•When feeding material into this equipment, be extremely careful that pieces of metal, rocks, bottles, cans or other foreign objects are not included. Personal injury or damage to the machine could result.

•Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close fitting slacks and shirt. Shirt and slacks that cover the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are recommended. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or jewelry and secure hair so it is above shoulder length. They can be caught in moving parts. Never operate a unit in bare feet, sandals or sneakers. Wear gloves when feeding material in the chipper chute or shredder hopper.

•Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles, during operation and while performing an adjustment or

repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects that may be thrown from the machine.

•Never place your hands, feet, or any part of your body into the shredder hopper, chipper chute, discharge opening, or near any moving part while the engine is running. Keep clear of the discharge opening at all times. If it becomes necessary to push material into the chipper chute or shredder hopper, use a small diameter stick, NOT YOUR HANDS.

•If it is necessary for any reason to unclog the feed intake or discharge openings or to inspect or repair any part of the machine where a moving part can come in contact with your body or clothing, stop the machine, allow it to cool, disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug and move it away from the spark plug before attempting to unclog, inspect or repair.

•Do not operate unit while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

•The machine should only be operated on a level surface. Never operate your unit on a slippery, wet, muddy or icy surface. Keep your work area clean and clear of branches or obstacles which could cause you to stumble and fall. Do not overreach. Maintaining proper footing and balance is essential to preventing accidents.

•Do not allow an accumulation of processed material to build up in the discharge area as this will prevent proper discharge and can result in kickback from the chipper chute.

•Keep your face and body back from chipper chute to avoid accidental bounce back of any material.

•Do not transport machine while engine is running.

•If the cutting mechanism strikes a foreign object or if your machine should start making an unusual noise or vibration, immediately stop the engine and allow the machine to come to a complete stop. Disconnect the spark plug wire and move it away from the spark plug. Take the following steps.