4
2
Safe Operation PracticesGeneral Operation
1. Read this operator’s manual carefully in its e ntirety before
attempting to assemble this machin e. Read, understand, and
follow all instructions on the machi ne and in the manual(s )
before operation. Keep this manual in a safe pla ce for future
and regular reference and for ordering rep lacement parts.
2. Be completely familiar with the contr ols and the proper use of
this machine before operating it.
3. This machine is a precision piece of powe r equipment, not a
plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme c aution at all times.
Your unit has been designed to perform one job : to mow grass.
Do not use it for any other purpose.
4. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this
machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and
understand the instructions in t his manual and should be
trained and supervised by a adult.
5. Only responsible individuals w ho are familiar with these rules
of safe operation should be allowed to use thi s machine.
6. Thoroughly inspect the area where the e quipment is to be
used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones , toys and other
foreign objects which could be tri pped over or picked up
and thrown by the blade. Thrown objects can c ause serious
personal injury.
7. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of ma terial toward
roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Al so, avoid discharg-
ing material against a wall or obstructi on which may cause
discharged material to ricochet bac k toward the operator.
8. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injur y, stay
in the operator zone behind the handles an d keep children,
bystanders, helpers and pets at least 75 feet fr om the mower
while it is in operation. Stop machine if a nyone enters the area.
9. 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.
10. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work sho es and close-fitting sl acks
and shirts. Shirts and pants that cove r the arms and legs
and steel-toed shoes are recommende d. Never operate this
machine in bare feet, sandals, slipper y or light weight (e.g.
canvas) shoes.
11. Do not put hands or feet near rotatin g parts or under the cutti ng
deck. Contact with the blade can am putate hands and feet.
12. A missing or damaged disch arge cover can cause blade
contact or thrown object injuries.
13. Many injuries occur as a resul t of the mower being pulled
over the foot during a fall caused by slipping or tr ipping. Do
not hold on to the mower if you are falling; rele ase the handle
immediately.
14. Never pull the mower back toward you whil e you are walking. If
you must back the mower away from a wall or obstructi on first
look down and behind to avoid tripping and t hen follow these
steps:
a. Step back from the mower to full y extend your arms.
b. Be sure you are well balanced w ith sure footing.
c. Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way toward you.
d. Repeat these steps as nee ded.
15. Do not operate the mower while under the i nfluence of alcohol or
drugs.
16. Do not engage the self-prop elled mechanism on units so
equipped while starting engine.
17. The blade control handle is a s afety device. Never attempt
to bypass its operation. Doing so makes the s afety device
inoperative and may result in personal inj ury through contact wit h
the rotating blade. The blade control ha ndle must operate easily
in both directions and automatical ly return to the disengaged
position when released.
18. Never operate the mower in wet grass. Al ways be sure of your
footing. A slip and fall can cause serious p ersonal injury. If you
feel you are losing your footing, release the bl ade control handle
immediately and the blade will stop rotat ing within three seconds .
19. Mow only in daylight or in good ar tificial light. Walk, never r un.
20. Stop the blade when crossin g gravel drives, walks or roads.
21. If the equipment should sta rt to vibrate abnormally, stop th e
engine and check immediately for the c ause. Vibration is gener-
ally a warning of trouble.
22. Shut the engine off and wait un til the blade comes to a compl ete
stop before removing the grass catcher or un clogging the chute.
The cutting blade continues to rotat e for a few seconds after the
engine is shut off. Never place any part of the bo dy in the blade
area until you are sure the blade has stopped ro tating.
23. Never operate mower without prope r trail shield, discharge c over,
grass catcher, blade control handle or othe r safety protective
devices in place and working. Never operate m ower with
damaged safety devices. Failure to do so, can re sult in personal
injury.
24. Muffler and engine beco me hot and can cause a burn. Do not
touch.
25. Never attempt to make a wheel or cutti ng height adjustment while
the engine is running.
26. Only use parts and acces sories made for this machine by t he
manufacturer. Failure to do so can result in person al injury.
27. When starting engine, pull cord slowly until re sistance is felt, then
pull rapidly. Rapid retraction of star ter cord (kickback) wil l pull
hand and arm toward engine faster than you can let g o. Broken
bones, fractures, bruises or sprains c ould result.
28. If situations occur whic h are not covered in this manual, use ca re
and good judgment. Call customer ass istance for the name of
your nearest servicing dealer.
Slope Operation
Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fa ll accidents which can
result in severe injury. Operation on slopes r equires extra caution.
If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it. For your safet y, use
the slope gauge included as part of t his manual to measure slopes
before operating this unit on a sloped or hi lly area. If the slope is
greater than 15 degrees, do not mow it.
Do:
1. Mow across th e face of slopes; never up and dow n. Exercise
extreme caution when changing dire ction on slopes.
2. Watch for holes, ruts, rocks, hidden obje cts, or bumps which can
cause you to slip or trip. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and cert ain vehicle components contain
or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or ot her
reproductive harm.
WARNING