Murray 20-inch Push manual Safe Mowing Guide, Tices. Read the next few pages carefully

SAFE MOWING GUIDE

Every person who uses power equipment	gency. Learn how to cut and how to keep con-
must learn the difference between proper and	trol of the mower at all times.
improper use, safe and unsafe mowing prac-	Many mowers are started manually. When us-
tices. Read the next few pages carefully.	ing a pull start or rope start, place your feet
They can help you learn. Too often the mow-	firmly and away from the blade. Hold the rope
er user is inexperienced, not properly in-	handle securely, but never wrap the rope
structed, or has not read the Instruction Book	around your arm or fingers for a “better grip”.
and instructions on the unit before using it for	The mower is designed for use by one person.
the first time. This can result in unsafe use en-
	Always mow alone. Never carry passengers.
dangering the operator, bystanders, and the
	Carrying a passenger is dangerous for the
equipment. Another result can be a poor ap-
	passenger and the operator. A mower is not for
pearance of the area mowed.
	amusement or for carrying objects.
Read this Instruction Book. Read the in-
structions on the unit. Operate the mower ac-
cording to the Safe Mowing Guide and other
safety rules and recommendations in this In-
struction Book and on the unit. Make sure any-
one who uses the unit has read the instructions
and has been told how to operate the mower
safely.

	Is the area you are planning to mow wet? Nev-
	er cut a wet lawn. Cutting wet grass can cause
	an accident. It can affect mower performance
	and also cause problems with future lawn
	growth and appearance. Wet grass is slippery
	and might cause the operator to fall or the
	mower to slip. Someone could be hurt by
	touching the blade. Wet grass tends to clog the
Your mower is designed to provide good ser-	mower, causing poor discharge. Wet clippings
	bunch up on the lawn retarding the growth of
vice and durability in normal residential cut-
ting. If the mower is not properly serviced and	grass. A wet mower can cause parts to rust
	and reduce the useful life of the unit.
maintained or used on unsuitable terrain or in
conditions not suitable for mowing, product
performance and safety will be reduced.
Proper attire is an important part of safe mow-
ing. Safety glasses protect the eyes from
thrown objects. Safety shoes with steel toes
can protect a foot from being cut by the blade.
Shirts and pants that cover the arms and legs
can stop or deflect a thrown object.

	When you look over the lawn, refresh your
	memory about hard, immovable obstacles
	such as pipes, stumps, and rocks and avoid
	them. They can cause damage to the mower
	or an accident injuring the operator or a by-
	stander. Take a litter bag along and walk over
	the area to be cut. Pick up any stones, toys,
	wire, bones, or other loose objects. These
	items can damage the mower or they can be-
Practice using the mower before you actually	come dangerous flying objects if the mower
begin cutting grass. Select a large open level	blade hits them. The blade of a power mower
area. Learn the location and function of the	travels very fast. It can throw rocks and other
controls and how they work. It is important that	objects with force over long distances. Objects
the blade can be stopped quickly in an emer-	thrown by mowers can break windows, cause
F-050401L	6