b.Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle before filling.

c.Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment on a trailer with a portable container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.

d.Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or container opening at all times until fueling is complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open device.

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

f.Never fuel machine indoors because flammable vapors will accumulate in the area.

g.Never remove gas cap or add fuel while engine is hot or running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.

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

i.Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.

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

k.Never store the machine or fuel container near an open flame, spark or pilot light as on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliances.

l.To reduce fire hazard, keep lawn edger free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel soaked debris.

m.Allow a lawn edger to cool at least five (5) minutes before storing..

Operation

1.Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts. Contact with the rotating blade can amputate hands and feet.

2.The blade control handle is a safety device. Never bypass its operation. Doing so, makes the machine unsafe and may cause personal injury.

3.Never operate without blade guard, debris shield and blade control handle in place and working.

4.Never operate with damaged safety devices. Failure to do so, can result in personal injury.

5.Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.

6.Do not operate machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

7.Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not touch.

8.Never operate this machine without good visibility or light. Always be sure of your footing and keep a firm hold on the handles. Walk, never run.

9.Do not operate this machine if it has been dropped or damaged. Return machine to your nearest authorized servicing dealer for examination and repair.

10.Do not operate this machine with a damaged or excessively worn cutting blade.

11.Never attempt to clear material from the blade guard while the engine is running. Shut the engine off, disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting.

12.Do not overload machine capacity by attempting to edge at too fast of a rate.

13.Stay alert for uneven sidewalks, terrain etc. Always push slowly over rough surfaces. Do not use this machine on gravel surfaces.

14.Do not operate machine in rain or wet soil conditions.

15.Always operate machine from behind the handles and position yourself where the direct line of sight to cutting blade is blocked by guards.

16.Always stop engine when edging or trimming is delayed or when transporting machine from one location to another.

17.Never leave a running machine unattended. Stop the engine, disconnect spark plug wire and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting.

18.Only use parts and accessories made for this machine by the manufacturer. Failure to do so, can result in personal injury.

19.If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care and good judgment. Contact Customer Support for assistance or the name of your nearest service dealer.

Children

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to power equipment such as lawn edgers. They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.

1.Keep children out of the edging area and under watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator.

2.Be alert and turn lawn edger off if a child enters the area.

3.Before and while moving backwards, look behind and down for small children.

4.Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, doorways, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure your vision of a child who may run into the lawn edger.

Section 2 — Important Safe Operation Practices