MTD 31AH5C3F401, 31AH5Q3G401 manual Important Safe Operation Practices, Training, Preparation

SECTION 1: 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 this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol - heed its warning.

WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle

components contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

DANGER: This machine 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 machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

Training

1.Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.

2.Be familiar with all controls and their proper operation. Know how to stop the machine and disengage them quickly.

3.Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and understand the operation instructions and safety rules in this manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent.

4.Never allow adults to operate this machine without proper instruction.

5.Thrown objects can cause serious personal injury. Plan your snow throwing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward roads, bystanders and the like.

6.Keep bystanders, helpers, pets and children at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

7.Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling, especially when operating in reverse.

Preparation

1.Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be used. Remove all door mats, newspapers, sleds, boards, wires and other foreign objects which could be tripped over or thrown by the auger/impeller.

2.Always wear safety glasses or eye shields during operation and while performing an adjustment or repair to protect your eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can cause serious injury to the eyes.

3.Do not operate without wearing adequate winter outer garments. Do not wear jewelry, long scarves or other loose clothing which could become entangled in moving parts. Wear footwear which will improve footing on slippery surfaces.

4.Use a grounded three wire extension cord and receptacle for all units with electric start engines.

5.Adjust collector housing height to clear gravel or crushed rock surfaces.

6.Disengage all clutch levers before starting the engine.

7.Never attempt to make any adjustments while engine is running, except where specifically recommended in the operator’s manual.

8.Let engine and machine adjust to outdoor temperature before starting to clear snow.

9.To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite. Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.

a.Use only an approved gasoline container.

b.Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.

c.Never fuel machine indoors.

d.Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is hot or running.

e.Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.

f.Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½ inch below bottom of filler neck to provide space for fuel expansion.

g.Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.

h.If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment. Move machine to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting the engine.

i.Never store the machine or fuel container inside where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light (e.g. furnace, water heater, space heater, clothes dryer etc.).

j.Allow machine to cool 5 minutes before storing.

Operation

1.Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts, in the auger/ impeller housing or discharge chute. Contact with the rotating parts can amputate hands and feet.

2.The auger/impeller clutch lever is a safety device. Never bypass its operation. Doing so, makes the machine unsafe and may cause personal injury.

3