IMPORTANT

OPERATIONPRACTICES

&THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT IMPORTANTSAFETYIN ;TRUCTIONSWHICH, IF NOT FOLLOWED,COULD ENDANGERTHE PERSONAL SAFETYAND/OR PROPERTY OF YOURSELFAND O-HERS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE ,_IL

ATTEMPTINGTOOPERATEYOUR UNIT.WHENYOU S !ETHIS SYMBOL-- ,_HEEDITS WARNING.

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Yourlawn mower was built t be operated accordingto the rules for safe operation in this manual. As with

any type of powerequipment carelessnessor error on the parl of the operatorcan resull in injury. This lawn

,_ DANGER: mower is capable of amputal ing handsandfeet and throwingobjects. Failure to observethe following safety instructionscouldresult in st riousinjury or death.

 

GENERALOPERATION

 

 

20. Disengage all attachment

clutches, thoroughly depress the

 

Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the n anual and

 

brake pedal, and shift into

neutral before attempting to start

 

on the machine before starting. Keepthis manual in a safe place

 

engine.

 

 

 

 

for future and regular reference and for ordering re _lacement

21. Your mower is designed to

cut normal

residential grass of a

 

parts.

 

 

 

height no more than 10". Do not attempt to mow through

2.

Only allow responsible individuals familiar with the ir structions

 

unusually tall, dry grass (e.g., pasture) or piles of dry leaves.

 

to operate the machine. Know controls and how t(

stop the

 

Debris may build up on the mower deck or contact the engine

 

machine quickly.

 

 

 

exhaust presenting a potential fire hazard.

3. Do not put hands or feet under cutting deck or ne_r rotating

 

 

 

 

 

 

parts.

 

,_11.

 

SLOPEOPERATION

 

 

4. Clearthe area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, _tc., which

Slopes are a major factor relatedto loss of control and tip-over acci-

dents which can result in severe injury or death. All slopes require

 

could be picked up and thrown bythe blade. A small( bject may

 

extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy

 

have been overlooked and could be accidentally thro Nn by the

 

mower in any direction and cause injury to you or a _ystander.

on it, do not mow it.

 

 

 

For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this manual

 

To help avoid a thrown objects injury, keepchildren, Lystanders

 

to

measure slopes before operating this unit

on a sloped or hilly

 

and helpers at least 75 feet from the mower while it i,, in opera-

 

tion. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles du dng oper-

area. If the slope is greater than 15o as shown on the slope gauge,

 

do not operatethis unit on that area or serious injury could result.

 

ation or while performing an adjustment or repair, :o protect

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

eyes from foreign objects. Stop the blade(s) wher

crossing

 

 

DO:

 

 

gravel drives, walks or roads.

 

Mow up and down slopes, not across.

 

5.

Be sure the area is clear of other people before mov'ing.Stop

Remove obstacles such as rocks, limbs, etc.

 

 

machine if anyone enters the area.

 

Watch for holes, ruts or bumps. Uneven terrain could overturn the

6.

Never carry passengers.

 

 

machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

 

7.

Disengage blade(s) before shitting into reverse and b_cking up.

Use slow speed. Choosea low enough gear so that you will not have

 

Always look down and behind before and while backir g.

to

stop or shift

while on the slope. Always keep machine in gear

8. Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge din ction and

when going down slopes to take advantageof engine braking action.

 

do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the mow_r without

Follow the manufacturer'srecommendations for wheel weights or

 

either the entire grass catcher or the chute guard in pl Ice.

counterweights to improve stability.

 

9.

Slow down before turning. Operate the machine

;moothly.

Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments. These can

 

Avoid erratic operation and excessive speed.

 

change the stability of the machine.

 

10.

Never leave a running

machine unattended. Alway_ turn off

Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do not make

 

blade(s), place transmission in neutral, set park bf]ke, stop

sudden changesin speed or direction. Rapid engagement or braking

 

engine and remove key before dismounting.

 

could cause the front of the machine to lift

and rapidly flip over

11. Turn off blade(s) when not mowing.

 

backwards which could cause serious injury.

 

12.

Stop engine and wait until blade(s) comes to a corn flete stop

Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires

lose traction, disen-

 

before (a) removing grass catcher or unclogging chtte, or (b)

gage the blade(s) and proceed slowly straightdown the slope.

 

making any repairs, adjusting or removing any grass ( r debris.

 

 

DO NOT:

 

13. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.

 

 

 

 

 

Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn slowly and grad-

14. Do not operatethe machine while under the influence _falcohol

ually downhill, if possible.

 

 

 

or drugs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments.The mower

15. Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing roacways.

could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff or

16. Use extra care when loading or unloading the mach ne into a

ditch, or if an edge caves in.

 

 

 

trailer or truck. This unit should not be driven up o down a

 

 

 

Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause sliding.

 

ramp onto a trailer or truck under power, becausethe _pnitcould

 

Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the

 

tip over, causing serious personal injury. The unit must be

 

ground.

 

 

 

 

pushed manually on a ramp to load or unload properl_

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes.

 

17. Never make a cutting height adjustment while engine i;

running

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

if operator must dismount to do so.

,_

III. CHILDREN

 

 

 

18. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitti zgslacks

Trag_s

can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence

 

and shirts. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or jewelry. They can

of children. Children are often attracted to the machine and the

 

be caught in moving parts. Never operate a unit in

Darefeet,

mowing activity. Never assume that children will remain where you

 

sandals, or sneakers.

 

 

last saw them.

 

 

 

19. Check overhead clearance carefully before driving unc er power

1.

Keep children out of the mowing area and in watchful care of an

 

lines, wires, bridges or low hanging tree branches, bef__reenter-

 

adult other than the operator.

 

 

 

ing or leaving buildings,

or in any other situation v here the

2.

Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area.

 

operator may be struck

or pulled from the unit, wh _h could

3.

Before and

when backing, look behind and down for small

 

result in serious injury.

 

 

 

children.

 

 

 

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Yard Machines 699, 690 manual Operationpractices, DlZ