Operator`s manual

RNING
This symbol points
out important safety
instructionswhich, if
notfollowed, could
endangerthe personal
i safety and/or property
of yourself and others.
Readand follow all
instructionsinthis man-
ual before attempting to
operatethis machine.
Failureto complywith
these instructionsmay
result in personal injury.
i When you see this
symbol.
HEED iTS WARNING
Your
i Flesponsibility
I Restrictthe use
i of this power machine
to personswho read.
understand
and followthe warnings
and instructions
in this manual
andon the machine.
WARNING: Engine Exhaust,some of its constituents, andcertain vehicle compo-
nentscontain or emit chemicals knownto State of Californiato cause cancer and
birth defectsor other reproductiveharm.
DANGER: This machinewas builtto be operated according to the rulesfor safe operationin this
manual.As with any type of power equipment,carelessnessor error on the part of the operator can
result in serious injury.This machine is capable of amputatinghands andfeet andthrowing objects.
Failureto observethe followingsafety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
Children
Tragicaccidentscanoccur ifoperatorisnotalert to presence
of children.Childrenare oftenattractedtomowerand mowing
activity.Theydonot understandthe dangers.Neverassume
thatchildrenwill remainwhereyoulastsawthem.
1. Keepchildrenoutof the mowingareaand underwatchful
careof a responsibleadultotherthanthe operator.
2. Bealert andturn moweroffif a childentersthearea.
3. Beforeand whilemovingbackwards,look behindanddown
forsmallchildren.
4. Useextremecare whenapproachingblindcorners,
doorways,shrubs,trees,or otherobjectsthat mayobscure
yourvisionof a child whomayrun intothe mower.
5. Keepchildrenawayfrom hotor runningengines.Theycan
sufferburnsfroma hotmuffler.
6. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldto operatea power
mower.Children14yearsoldand overshouldreadand
understandoperationinstructionsandsafetyrulesinthis
manualandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbya parent.
General Operation
1. Readthis operator'smanualcarefullyin its entiretybefore
attemptingto assemblethis machine.Read,understand,
andfollowall instructionsonthe machineandin the
manual(s)beforeoperation.Be completelyfamiliar with
thecontrolsandthe properuseof this machinebefore
operatingit. Keepthis manualin a safeplaceforfuture
and regularreferenceand for orderingreplacementparts.
2. Thismachineisa precisionpieceof powerequipment,
nota plaything.Therefore,exerciseextremecautionat all
times.Yourunithas beendesignedto performonejob: to
mowgrass. Do notuseit for anyotherpurpose.
3. Neverallow childrenunder 14yearsold to operatethis
machine.Children 14yearsoldand overshouldreadand
understandthe instructionsinthis manualandshould
betrainedand supervisedby a parent.Onlyresponsible
individualswho arefamiliarwiththese rulesof safe
operationshould beallowedto usethis machine.
4. Thoroughlyinspectthe areawherethe equipmentis to
beused. Removeall stones,sticks,wire,bones,toysand
otherforeignobjectswhichcouldbetripped overor picked
upandthrownby the blade.Thrownobjectscancause
seriouspersonalinjury.Planyourmowingpatternto avoid
dischargeof materialtowardroads,sidewalks,bystanders
andthe like.Also, avoiddischargingmaterialagainsta
wallorobstructionwhich maycausedischargedmaterial
to ricochetbacktowardtheoperator.
5. Tohelpavoidbladecontact ora thrownobjectinjury,
stay inoperatorzone behindhandlesand keepchildren,
bystanders,helpers,and petsat least75feet frommower
whileit is inoperation.Stop machineifanyoneenters
area.
6. Alwayswearsafetyglassesor safetygogglesduringopera-
tionandwhile performinganadjustmentor repairto protect
youreyes.Thrownobjectswhich ricochetcancauseserious
injurytothe eyes.
7. Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesand close-fitting
slacksandshirts. Shirtsand pantsthatcoverthe armsand
legs andsteel-toedshoesare recommended.Neveroperate
this machinein barefeet,sandals, slipperyor lightweight
(e.g.canvas)shoes.
8. Do notputhandsorfeet nearrotatingpartsor undercutting
deck.Contactwithblade canamputatehandsandfeet.
9. A missingor damageddischargecovercan cause blade
contactor thrownobject injuries.
10.Manyinjuriesoccuras a resultof the mowerbeing pulled
overthefoot duringa fall causedby slippingor tripping.
Do notholdonto the mowerifyouare falling;releasethe
handleimmediately.
11.Neverpullthe mowerbacktowardyouwhileyou are
walking.If you must backthe mowerawayfroma wallor
obstructionfirstlook downand behindtoavoidtrippingand
thenfollowthese steps:
a. Stepback frommowertofully extendyourarms.
b. Be sure youare wellbalancedwithsurefooting.
c. Pullthe mowerback slowly,no morethanhalf way
towardyou.
d. Repeatthesestepsas needed.
12.Do notoperatethe mowerwhileunderthe influenceof
alcoholordrugs.
13.Do notengage theself-propelledmechanismon unitsso
equippedwhilestartingengine.
14.Thebladecontrolhandleis a safetydevice.Neverattempt
to bypassitsoperation.Doingso makesthe safetydevice
inoperativeandmayresult in personalinjurythrough
contactwiththe rotatingblade. Thebladecontrolhandle
mustoperateeasily in bothdirectionsandautomatically
returnto the disengagedpositionwhenreleased.
15.Neveroperatethe mowerinwet grass. Alwaysbesure of
yourfooting. A slipand fall cancauseseriouspersonal
injury.If you feelyouare losingyourfooting,releasethe
bladecontrolhandleimmediatelyand the bladewillstop
rotatingwithinthreeseconds.
16.Mowonly in daylightor goodartificiallight.Walk,neverrun.
17.Stopthe bladewhencrossinggraveldrives, walksor roads.
18.If theequipmentshouldstartto vibrateabnormally,stopthe
engineand check immediatelyfor the cause.Vibrationis
generallya warningof trouble.
19.Shutthe engineoff andwait untilthe bladecomesto a
completestop beforeremovingthe grasscatcheror unclog-
gingthechute.
Thecuttingblade continuesto rotatefor a fewseconds
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