3
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
GENERAL OPERATION
• Readthisoperator’smanualcarefullyinitsentiretybeforeattemptingto
assemblethismachine.Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionsonthe
machineandinthemanualsbeforeoperation.Keepthismanualinasafe
placeforfutureandregularreferenceandfororderingreplacementparts
• Becompletelyfamiliarwiththecontrolsandtheproperuseofthismachine
beforeoperatingit.
• Thismachineisaprecisionpieceofpowerequipment,notaplaything.
Therefore,exerciseextremecautionatalltimes.Thismachinehasbeen
designedtoperformonejob:tomowgrass.Donotuseitforanyother
purpose.
• Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethismachine.Children
14andovershouldreadandunderstandtheinstructionsandsafeoperation
practicesinthismanualandonthemachineandshouldbetrainedand
supervisedbyanadult.
• Onlyresponsibleindividualswhoarefamiliarwiththeserulesofsafe
operationshouldbeallowedtousethismachine.
• Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentistobeused.Removeall
stones,sticks,wire,bones,toysandotherforeignobjects,whichcouldbe
trippedoverorpickedupandthrownbytheblade.Thrownobjectscancause
seriouspersonalinjury.
• Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischargeofmaterialtowardroads,
sidewalks,bystandersandthelike.Also,avoiddischargingmaterialagainst
awallorobstruction,whichmaycausedischargedmaterialtoricochetback
towardtheoperator.
• Tohelpavoidbladecontactorathrownobjectinjury,stayinoperatorzone
behindhandlesandkeepchildren,bystanders,helpersandpetsatleast75
feetfrommowerwhileitisinoperation.Stopmachineifanyoneentersarea.
• Alwayswearsafetyglassesorsafetygogglesduringoperationandwhile
performinganadjustmentorrepairtoprotectyoureyes.Thrownobjects
whichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytotheeyes.
• Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacksandshirts.
Shirtsandpantsthatcoverthearmsandlegsandsteel-toedshoesare
recommended.Neveroperatethismachineinbarefeet,sandals,slipperyor
light-weight(e.g.canvas)shoes.
• Donotputhandsorfeetnearrotatingpartsorunderthecuttingdeck.
Contactwithbladecanamputatefingers,hands,toesandfeet.
• Amissingordamageddischargecovercancausebladecontactorthrown
objectinjuries.
• Manyinjuriesoccurasaresultofthemowerbeingpulledoverthefoot
duringafallcausedbyslippingortripping.Donotholdontothemowerif
youarefalling:releasethehandleimmediately.
• Neverpullthemowerbacktowardyouwhileyouarewalking.Ifyoumust
backthemowerawayfromawallorobstructionfirstlookdownandbehind
toavoidtrippingandthenfollowthesesteps:
a. Stepbackfrommowertofullyextendyourarmsforward.
b. Besureyouarewellbalancedwithsurefooting.
c. Pullthemowerbackslowly,nomorethanhalfwaytowardyou.
d. Repeatthesestepsasneeded.
• Donotoperatethemowerwhileundertheinfluenceofalcoholordrugs.
• Donotengagetheself-propelledmechanismonmachinessoequipped
whilestartingengine.
• Thebladecontrolhandleisasafetydevice.Neverattempttobypassits
operation.Doingsomakesthesafetydeviceinoperativeandmayresultin
personalinjurythroughcontactwiththerotatingblade.Thebladecontrol
handlemustoperateeasilyinbothdirectionsandautomaticallyreturntothe
disengagedpositionwhenreleased.
• Neveroperatethemowerinwetgrass.Alwaysbesureofyourfooting.A
slipandfallcancauseseriouspersonalinjury.Ifyoufeelyouarelosingyour
footing,releasethebladecontrolhandleimmediatelyandthebladewill
stoprotatingwithinthreeseconds.
• Mowonlyindaylightorgoodartificiallight.Walk,neverrun.
• Stopthebladewhencrossinggraveldrives,walksorroads.
WARNING
This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not
followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of
yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual
before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these
instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol, HEED
ITS WARNING!
WARNING
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components
contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
DANGER
This machine was built to be operated according to the safe operation
practices 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 fingers, hands, toes and feet and
throwing debris. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could
result in serious injury or death.
WARNING
Your Responsibility—Restrict the use of this power machine to
persons who read, understand and follow the warnings and instructions in
this manual and on the machine.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!