Troy-Bilt 466 manual Importantsafeoperationpractices, GeneralOperation

SECTION1: IMPORTANTSAFEOPERATIONPRACTICES

WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructionswhich, if net fol]owed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and fel]ew all instructiens in this manual before attempting te eperate this machine. Fai]ure to comply with these instructions may result in personal iniury. When yeu see this symbol--HEED ITS WARNING.

WARNING: Engine exhaust, some ef its censtituents, and certain vehicle cempenents centain or emit chemicals knewn to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects er other repreducttve harm.

WARNING: "-his 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,

GeneralOperation

"1. Read this operater'smanual caretul]y in its entirety before attempting to assemble this machine. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual(s) before operation. Be completely familiar with the controls and the proper use of this machine before operating it. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.

2.This machine is a precision piece of power

equipment, not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at al] times. Your unit has been

designed to perform one ieb: to mew grass. De net use it for any ether purpose.

3.Never allow children under "14years old to operate this machine. Children "14years 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. Only responsible individuals who are familiar with these safe operation rules should use this machine.

4.Thoroughly inspect the area where equipment is to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and ether foreign objects which could be tripped over or picked up and thrown by the blade. Thrown ebiects can cause serious personal iniury. Plan your mewing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging material against a wal] or obstruction which may cause discharged material to ricochet back toward the operator.

5.To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, stay in the operator zone behind the hand]es

and keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in

operation. Stop machine it anyone enters the area.

6.Always wear safety g]asses to protect your eyes during equipment operation and while performing an adiustment or repair. Thrown ebiects which

ricochet can cause serious injury to the eyes.

7.Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close- fitting slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are recommended. Never eperate this machine in bare

feet, sandals, slippery or light weight (e.g. canvas)

shoes.

8.Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the cutting deck. Contact with the blade can amputate hands and feet.

9.A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade contact or thrown object iniuries.

"10. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled over the foot during a fal] 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 whi]e you

are walking. If you must back the mower away from a wal] or obstruction first look down and behind to

avoid tripping and then follow these steps:

a.Step back from the mower to ful]y extend your arms.

b.Be sure you are well balanced with sure footing.

c.Pull the mewer back slewly, ne more than half way toward you.

d.Repeat these steps as needed.

"12. Do not eperate the mower while under the influence ef alcohol or drugs.

"13. Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism en units so equipped while starting engine.

"14. The blade centrol handle is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operation. Deing so makes the safety device ineperative and may result in personal injury threugh contact with the rotating blade. The blade control handle must operate easily in both directtens and automatically return te the disengaged positien when released.

"15. Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always be sure of yeur footing. A slip and fall can cause