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
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 man- ual. 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.
General Operation
•Read this operator’s manual carefully in its entirety before at- tempting to assemble this machine. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual(s) be- fore operation. Be completely familiar with the controls and the proper use of this machine before operating it. Keep this man- ual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.
•This machine is 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.
•Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this ma- chine. Children 14 years old and over should read and understand the instructions in this manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent. Only responsible individu- als who are familiar with these rules of safe operation should be allowed to use this machine.
•Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and other foreign objects which could be tripped over or picked up and thrown by the blade. Thrown objects can cause serious per- sonal injury. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction which may cause discharged material to ricochet back toward the op- erator.
•To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, stay in the operator zone behind the handles and keep children, by- standers, helpers and pets at least 75 feet from the mower while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
•Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during operation and while performing an adjustment or repair to protect your eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can cause serious injury to the eyes.
•Wear sturdy,
•Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the cut- ting deck. Contact with the blade can amputate hands and feet.
•A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade con- tact or thrown object injuries.
•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 immedi- ately.
•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 tripping 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 to- ward you.
d.Repeat these steps as needed.
•Do not operate the mower while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
•Do not engage the
•The blade control handle is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so makes the safety device inoper- ative and may result in personal injury through contact with the rotating blade. The blade control handle must operate easily in both directions and automatically return to the disengaged po- sition when released.
•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 han- dle immediately and the blade will stop rotating within three seconds.
•Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light. Walk, never run.
•Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, walks or roads.
•If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine and check immediately for the cause. Vibration is gen- erally a warning of trouble.
•Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to a com- plete stop before removing the grass catcher or unclogging the chute. The cutting blade continues 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 rotat- ing.
•Never operate mower without proper trail shield, discharge cover, grass catcher, blade control handle or other safety pro- tective devices in place and working. Never operate mower with damaged safety devices. Failure to do so, can result in personal injury.
•Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not touch.
•Only use parts and accessories made for this machine by the manufacturer. Failure to do so can result in personal injury.
•If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care and good judgment. Call customer assistance for the name of your nearest servicing dealer.
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