Maintenance and Storage
Safe Handling of Gasoline
vapors are explosive.
in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the
To avoid personal injury or property damage, use extreme care
Service and Maintenance

Operator Safety

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11. Stop and inspect the equipment if you strike an object.

 

 

Repair, if necessary, before restarting.

 

 

12. Park machine on level ground. Never allow untrained

 

 

personnel to service machine.

 

 

13. Use jack stands to support components when required.

 

 

14. Carefully release pressure from components with stored

Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other

energy.

15. Disconnect battery or remove spark plug wire before

sources of ignition.

 

 

making any repairs. Disconnect the negative terminal

Use only approved gasoline containers.

first and the positive last. Reconnect positive first and

Never remove the gas cap or add fuel with the engine

negative last.

running. Allow the engine to cool before refueling.

16. Use care when checking blades. Wrap the blade(s)

Never fuel the machine indoors.

 

 

or wear gloves, and use caution when servicing them.

Never store the machine or fuel container where there is

Only replace blades. Never straighten or weld them.

an open flame, spark, or pilot light such as near a water

17. Keep hands and feet away from moving parts. If

heater or other appliance.

 

 

possible, do not make adjustments with the engine

Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck bed

running.

with a plastic bed liner. Always place containers on the

18. Charge batteries in an open well ventilated area,

ground away from your vehicle before filling.

away from spark and flames. Unplug charger before

Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or

connecting or disconnecting from battery. Wear

trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible,

protective clothes and use insulated tools.

then refuel such equipment on a trailer with a portable

19. Grass catcher components are subject to wear,

container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.

damage, and deterioration, which could expose moving

Keep nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or

parts or allow objects to be thrown. Frequently

container opening at all times until fueling is complete.

check components and replace with manufacturer’s

 

 

 

Reproduction

Do not use a nozzle lock-open device.

recommended parts, when ecessary.

If fuel is spilled on clothing, change clothing

20. Check brake operation freque tly. Adjust and service as

immediately.

 

equired.

Never over-fill the fuel tank. Replace gas cap and

21. Use only fact ry auth rized replacement parts when

tighten securely.

 

making repa rs.

Use extra care in handling gasoline and other fuels. They

22. Always comply w th fact ry specifications on all settings

are flammable and vapors are explosive.

and adjus men s.

If fuel is spilled, do not attempt to start the engine but

23. Only au horized service locations should be utilized for

move the machine away from the area of spillage and for

avoid creating any source of ignition until fuel vap rs

major servi e and repair requirements.

have dissipated.

 

24. Never attempt to make major repairs on this unit

Replace all fuel tank caps and fuel container caps

nless you have been properly trained. Improper

securely.

Not

service procedures can result in hazardous operation,

 

equipment damage and voiding of manufacturer’s

 

warranty.

 

25. Units with hydraulic pumps, hoses, or motors:

Always observe safe refueling and fuel handling

WARNING: Hydraulic fluid escaping under pressure may

have sufficient force to penetrate skin and cause serious

practices when refueling the unit after trans ortation or

injury. If foreign fluid is injected into the skin it must

storage.

be surgically removed within a few hours by a doctor

Always follow the engine manual instructions for storage

familiar with this form of injury or gangrene may result.

preparations before storing the unit for both short and

Keep body and hands away from pin holes or nozzles

long term periods.

that eject hydraulic fluid under high pressure. Use paper

Always follow the engine manual instructions for proper

or cardboard, and not hands, to search for leaks. Make

start-up procedures when returning the unit to service.

sure all hydraulic fluid connections are tight and all

Never store the machine or fuel container inside where

hydraulic hoses and lines are in good condition before

there is an open flame, such as in a water heater. Allow

applying pressure to the system. If leaks occur, have

unit to cool before storing.

the unit serviced immediately by your authorized dealer.

Shut off fuel while storing or transporting. Do not store

26. WARNING: Stored energy device. Improper release of

fuel near flames or drain indoors.

springs can result in serious personal injury. Springs

Keep all hardware, especially blade attachment bolts,

should be removed by an authorized technician.

tight and keep all parts in good working condition.

27. Models equipped with an engine radiator: WARNING:

Replace all worn or damaged decals.

Stored energy device. To prevent serious bodily injury

Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper

from hot coolant or steam blow-out, never attempt to

operation regularly.

remove the radiator cap while the engine is running.

Disengage drives, lower implement, set parking brake,

Stop the engine and wait until it is cool. Even then, use

stop engine and remove key or disconnect spark plug

extreme care when removing the cap.

wire. Wait for all movement to stop before adjusting,

 

cleaning or repairing.

 

Clean grass and debris from cutting units, drives,

 

mufflers, and engine to prevent fires. Clean up oil or

 

fuel spillage.

 

Let engine cool before storing and do not store near

 

flame.

 

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