Briggs & Stratton MB (18 HP) Safety Instructions, In case of a clogged or plugged mower deck

Safety Instructions

9.Watch for holes, rocks, and roots in the terrain and for other hidden hazards. When mowing tall grass, mow higher than desired to expose any hidden obstacles. Then, clean the area and mow to the desired height.

10.Avoid sudden starts or stops. Before backing the machine up, look to the rear to be sure no one is behind the machine. Watch carefully for traffic when crossing or working near roadways.

11.Disengage the blade drive when transporting the machine across drives, sidewalks, etc. Never raise the mower deck while blades are rotating.

12.The maximum recommended side slope operating angle is 20 degrees or 33% grade. When operating the machine on a slope, reduce speed and use caution to start, stop, and maneuver. To prevent tipping or loss of control of the machine, avoid sharp turns or sudden changes in direction.

13.Never adjust cutting height with the engine running. Before adjusting cutting height or servicing, disengage the blade clutch (PTO), stop the engine, and remove the ignition key. Wait for all movement to stop before getting off the seat.

NOTE: The electric clutch brake should nor- mally stop drive line rotation within five (5) sec- onds of disengaging the PTO clutch.

14.For side discharge mower decks, do not oper- ate with the grass deflector chute removed. Keep the deflector in the lowest possible position.

15.When using the tilt-up deck, observe the fol- lowing recommendations:

a.Do not move tractor with deck in tilt-up po- sition.

b.Never tilt body forward with deck in tilt-up position.

16.In case of a clogged or plugged mower deck:

a.Disengage the blade clutch (PTO) and turn the engine off before leaving the seat.

b.LOOK to make sure blade drive shaft move- ment has stopped before trying to unclog the system.

c.Disconnect the spark plug wires.

d.Never place hands under the deck use a stick or similar tool to remove clogged ma- terial.

17.If the cutting blades strike a solid object or the machine begins to vibrate abnormally, immediately disengage the blade clutch (PTO), stop the engine, and wait for all moving parts to stop. To prevent accidental starting, disconnect the spark plug wires. Thoroughly inspect the mower and repair any damage before restarting the engine and operating the mower. Make sure cutter blades

are in good condition and blade nuts are torqued to 60 ft-lb (81.3 N⋅m).

18.Do not touch the engine or muffler while the engine is running or immediately after stop- ping the engine. These areas may be hot enough to cause serious burns.

19.When leaving the machine unattended, dis- engage the blade clutch (PTO), stop the engine, and remove the key.

MAINTENANCE

1.To prevent accidental starting of the engine when servicing or adjusting the machine, re- move the key from the ignition switch and dis- connect the spark plug wires.

2.To reduce fire hazards, keep the engine free of grass, leaves, excessive grease, and dirt.

3.Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to ensure the machine is in a safe, working condition. Check the blade mounting nuts frequently, mak- ing sure they are tight.

4.Perform only maintenance instructions de- scribed in this manual. Unauthorized main- tenance operations or machine modifications may result in unsafe operating conditions.

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