Children

1.Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the machine and the mowing activity. They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.

a.Keep children out of the mowing area and in watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator.

b.Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the area.

c.To avoid back-over accidents, always look behind and down for small children.

d.Never carry children, even with the blade(s) shut off. They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe machine operation.

e.Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, doorways, shrubs, trees or other objects that may block your vision of a child who may run into the path of the machine.

f.Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer burns from a hot muffler.

g.Remove key when machine is unattended to prevent unauthorized operation.

2.Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate this machine. Children 14 and over should read and understand the instructions and safe operation practices in this manual and on the machine and should be trained and supervised by an adult.

Towing

1.Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the hitch point.

2.Follow the manufacturers recommendation for weight limits for towed equipment and towing on slopes.

3.Never allow children or others in or on towed equipment.

4.On slopes, the weight of the towed equipment may cause loss of traction and loss of control.

5.Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop.

6.Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill.

7.Do not tow heavy pull behind attachments (e.g. loaded dump cart, lawn roller, etc.) on slopes greater than 5 degrees. When going down hill, the extra weight tends to push the tractor and may cause you to loose control (e.g. tractor may speed up, braking and steering ability are reduced, attachment may jack-knife and cause tractor to overturn).

Service

Safe Handling of Gasoline:

1.To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite. Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.

a.Use only an approved gasoline container.

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.When practical, 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.

g.Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the 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” below bottom of filler neck to allow space 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 the engine.

k.To reduce fire hazards, keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel soaked debris.

l.Never store the machine or fuel container inside where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light as on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliances.

m.Allow a machine to cool at least five minutes before storing.

General Service

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

2.Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the blade(s) and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting.

3.Periodically check to make sure the blades come to complete stop within approximately (5) five seconds after operating the blade disengagement control. If the blades do not stop within the this time frame, your machine should be serviced professionally by an authorized dealer.

4.Regularly check the safety interlock system for proper function, as described later in this manual. If the safety interlock system does not function properly, have your machine serviced professionally by an authorized dealer.

Section 2 — Important Safe Operation Practices

 

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