__IL hissymbolpointsout importantsafetyinstructions

which,ifnot followed,could endangerthepersonal

safetyand/orpropertyof yourselfandothers.Read

andfollowall instructionsinthis manualbefore

attemptingtooperatethismachine.Failuretocomplywith these

instructionsmayresultinpersonalinjury.Whenyouseethissymbol,

HEEDITSWARNING!

YourResponsibility: Restricttheuseof this powermachineto

personswhoread,understand,andfollowthewarningsand instruc-

tionsinthis manualandon themachine.

Thismachinewasbuilt tobe operatedaccordingtothe rulesfor

safeoperationinthis manual.As withany typeof powerequipment,

carelessnessorerroronthe part ofthe operatorcan resultin serious

injury.Thismachineis capableofamputatinghandsandfeet and

throwingobjects.Failuretoobservethefollowingsafetyinstructions

couldresultin seriousinjury ordeath.

__ate ofCaliforniatoI

causecancerandbirth defectsor otherreproductiveharm.

CHILDREN
Tragicaccidentscanoccur if operatoris notalert to presenceofchildren.Chil-
drenareoften attractedtomowerand mowingactivity.Theydonotunderstand
thedangers.Neverassumethatchildrenwillremain whereyou lastsawthem.
,, Keepchildren out of the mowingareaand under watchfulcare ofa
responsibleadultotherthanthe operator.
,, Be alert andturn moweroff if achild entersthe area.
,, Beforeand while movingbackwards,look behindanddown for small
children.
,, Use extremecare whenapproachingblindcorners, doorways,shrubs,
trees,orother objectsthat may obscureyour visionof a child who may
runinto themower.
,, Keepchildren awayfrom hotor runningengines.They cansuffer burns
froma hot muffler.
,, Neverallow childrenunder 14yearsold to operateapower mower.
Children14yearsold and overshould readand understandoperation
instructionsandsafetyrules in this manualand shouldbe trainedand
supervisedbya parent.
GENERAL OPERATION
,, Readthis operator's manualcarefullyin itsentirety beforeattempting
toassemblethis machine.Read, understand,andfollowall instructions
onthe machineand inthe manual(s)before operation.Becompletely
familiarwiththe controlsand the properuseof this machinebefore
operatingit.Keepthis manualin asafe placefor future andregular
referenceandfor orderingreplacementparts.
,, This machineis a precision pieceof powerequipment,not a plaything.
Therefore,exerciseextremecautionatall times.Your unithas been
designedtoperform onejob:to mowgrass. Do notuse itfor anyother
purpose.
,, Neverallow childrenunder 14yearsold to operatethismachine.
Children14yearsold and overshould readand understandthe instruc-
tionsinthis manualand shouldbe trainedandsupervised by a parent.
Onlyresponsibleindividualswhoare familiarwith these rulesof safe
operationshouldbe allowedto usethis machine.
,, Thoroughlyinspectthe area wherethe equipmentisto be used.Remove
allstones,sticks,wire, bones, toysand otherforeign objectswhichcould
betrippedover or pickedup and thrownby the blade.Thrownobjects
cancauseseriouspersonal injury.Planyour mowingpatternto avoid
dischargeofmaterialtoward roads,sidewalks,bystandersandthe like.
Also,avoiddischargingmaterialagainsta wall or obstructionwhich may
causedischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardthe operator.
,, To helpavoid blade contactor a thrownobject injury,stay in operator
zonebehindhandlesand keep children,bystanders,helpers,and petsat
least75feet from mowerwhile itis inoperation.Stopmachine ifanyone
entersarea.
,, Always wearsafetyglassesor safetygogglesduring operationandwhile
performinganadjustmentorrepair to protectyoureyes. Thrownobjects
whichricochetcan causeserious injury to theeyes.
,, Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoes andclose-fittingslacksandshirts.
Shirtsand pantsthat coverthe armsand legs and steel-toedshoes
arerecommended.Neveroperatethis machinein barefeet, sandals,
slipperyor lightweight (e.g.canvas)shoes.
,, Donot puthands or feetnearrotating partsor under cuttingdeck.
Contactwith bladecanamputate handsandfeet.
,, A missingor damageddischargecovercan causebladecontact or
thrownobjectinjuries.
,, Manyinjuriesoccuras a result ofthe mowerbeingpulled overthefoot
duringa fall causedby slippingor tripping.Do notholdon tothe mowerif
youare falling;release the handleimmediately.
,, Neverpullthe mowerbacktoward you whileyou are walking.If you must
backthemoweraway froma wall or obstructionfirst look downand
behindtoavoid trippingand thenfollow thesesteps:
a.Step backfrom mowertofully extendyourarms.
b.Besureyou are wellbalancedwith sure footing.
c.Pull backslowly,nomorethan half way towardsyou.
d.Repeatthesesteps as needed.
,, Donotoperatethe mowerwhile underthe influenceof alcohol ordrugs.
,, Donotengage the self-propelledmechanismonunits so equippedwhile
startingengine.
,, The blade control handleis a safety device.Neverattemptto bypassits
operation.Doingso makesthe safetydevice inoperativeandmay result
inpersonalinjurythrough contactwiththe rotating blade.The blade
controlhandlemust operateeasily inboth directionsand automatically
returntothe disengagedpositionwhen released.
,, Neveroperatethemowerin wet grass. Alwaysbe sureof your footing. A
slipand fall can causeserious personalinjury.If you feel you are losing
yourfooting, releasetheblade controlhandleimmediatelyandthe blade
willstop rotatingwithinthree seconds.
,, Mowonlyin daylightor good artificiallight. Walk,neverrun.
,, Stop the bladewhencrossing graveldrives,walks orroads.
3