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Safe Operation PracticesGeneral Operation
1. Read this operato r’s manual carefully in its entirety before
attempting to assemble this machine. Read, under stand,
and follow all instructions on the machine and in t he
manual(s) before operation. Be comp letely familiar with
the controls and the proper use of this machine befor e
operating it. Keep this manual in a safe place for future
and regular reference and for ordering replacement pa rts.
2. This machine i s a precision piece of power equipment,
not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at all
times. Your unit has been designed to perform one job: to
mow grass. Do not use it for any other purpose.
3. Never allow childre n under 14 years old to operate this
machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and
understand the instructions in this manu al and should
be trained and supervised by a parent. Only respo nsible
individuals who are familiar with these rules of sa fe
operation should be allowed to use this machine.
4. Thoroughly in spect the area where the equipment is to
be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and
other foreign objects which could be tripp ed over or picked
up and thrown by the blade. Thrown objects can cause
serious personal injury. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid
discharge of material toward roads, sidewalks, bystander s
and the like. Also, avoid discharging material against a
wall or obstruction which may cause discharge d material
to ricochet back toward the operator.
5. To help avoid blade contact or a th rown object injury,
stay in the operator zone behind the handles and keep
children, bystanders, helpers and pets at least 75 feet
from the mower while it is in operation. Stop machine if
anyone enters the area.
6. Always wear safety glas ses or safety goggles during
operation and while performing an adjustme nt or repair
to protect your eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet c an
cause serious injury to the eyes.
7. Wear sturdy, rough-sole d work shoes and close-fitting
slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover th e arms
and legs and steel-toed shoes are recommended . Never
operate this machine in bare feet, sandals, slipper y or light
weight (e.g. canvas) shoes.
8. Do not put hands or fe et near rotating parts or under the
cutting deck. Contact with the blade c an amputate hands
and feet.
9. A missing or dam aged discharge cover can cause blade
contact or thrown object injuries.
10. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled
over the foot during a fall caused by slipping or tripping.
Do not hold on to the mower if you are falling; release the
handle immediately.
11. Never pull the mower back toward you while you are
walking. If you must back the mower away from a wall or
obstruction first look down and behind to avoid tr ipping
and then follow these steps:
a. Step back from the mower to fully extend your arms.
b. Be sure you are well balanced with sure footing.
c. Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way
toward you.
d. Repeat these steps as needed.
12. Do not operate the mower while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
13. Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on unit s so
equipped while starting engine.
14. The blade control handle is a safety device. Never attempt
to bypass its operation. Doing so makes the safety devic e
inoperative and may result in personal injury throu gh
contact with the rotating blade. The blade contr ol handle
must operate easily in both directions and automati cally
return to the disengaged position when release d.
15. Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always be sure of
your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal
injury. If you feel you are losing your footing, release the
blade control handle immediately and the blade w ill stop
rotating within three seconds.
16. Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light. Walk, never
run. Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, walks or
roads.
17. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the
engine and check immediately for the cause. Vibrati on is
generally a warning of trouble.
18. Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to
a complete stop before removing the grass catcher or
unclogging the chute. The cutting blade co ntinues to rotate
for a few seconds after the engine is shut off. Never place
any part of the body in the blade area until you are sure the
blade has stopped rotating.
19. Never operate mower without proper trail shield, discharge
cover, grass catcher, blade control handle or other safety
protective devices in place and working. Never operate
mower with damaged safety devices. Failure to do so, can
result in personal injury.
20. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do
not touch.
21. Only use parts and accessories made for this machi ne by
the manufacturer. Failure to do so can result in personal
injury.
22. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use
care and good judgment. Call customer assista nce for the
name of your nearest servicing dealer.
Slope Operation
Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accide nts which
can result in severe injury. Operation on slopes requires ex tra
caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it. For your
safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this man ual to
measure slopes before operating this unit on a slop ed or hilly
area. If the slope is greater than 15 degrees, do not mow it.
WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and cert ain vehicle components contain or
emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other re produc-
tive harm.
WARNING