Full Product Manual

Important Safe Operation Practices
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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!
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 foreign
objects. Failure to observe the following safety
instructions could result in serious injury or death.
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
WARNING! 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.
Battery posts, terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash
hands after handling.
General Operation
1. Read this operator’s manual carefully
in its entirety before attempting
to assemble this machine. Read,
understand, and follow all instructions
on the machine and in the manual(s)
before operation. Keep this manual
in a safe place for future and regular
reference.
2. Be completely familiar with the controls
and the proper use of this machine
before operating it.
3. This machine is a precision piece of
power equipment, not a plaything.
Therefore, exercise extreme caution
at all times. This machine 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 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.
5. Only responsible individuals who
are familiar with these rules of safe
operation should be allowed to use this
machine.
6. Thoroughly inspect the area where
the equipment is to be used. Remove
all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and
other foreign objects, which could be
tripped over or picked up and thrown
by the blade. Thrown objects can cause
serious personal injury.
7. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid
discharge of material toward roads,
sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also,
avoid discharging material against a
wall or obstruction, which may cause
discharged material to ricochet back
toward the operator.
8. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown
object injury, stay in operator zone
behind handles and keep children,
bystanders, helpers and pets at least 75
feet from mower while it is in operation.
Stop machine if anyone enters 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 shoes
and close-fitting slacks and shirts. Shirts
and pants that cover the arms and legs
and steel-toed shoes are recommended.
Never operate this machine in bare feet,
sandals, slippery or light-weight (e.g.
canvas) shoes.
11. Do not put hands or feet near rotating
parts or under the cutting deck. Contact
with blade can amputate fingers, hands,
toes and feet.
12. A missing or damaged discharge cover
can cause blade contact or thrown
object injuries.
13. Many injuries occur as a result of the
mower being pulled over the foot during
a fall caused by slipping or tripping.
Do not hold on to the mower if you are
falling; release the handle immediately.
14. Never pull the mower back toward
you while you are walking. If you must
back the mower away from a wall or
obstruction first look down and behind
to avoid tripping and then follow these
steps:
a. Step back from mower to fully
extend your arms.
b. Be sure you are well balanced
with sure footing.
c. Pull the mower back slowly, no
more than half way toward you.
d. Repeat these steps as needed.
15. Do not operate the mower while under
the influence of alcohol or drugs.
16. Do not engage the self-propelled
mechanism on machines so equipped
while starting engine.
17. The blade control is a safety device.
Never attempt to bypass its operation.
Doing so makes the safety device
inoperative and may result in personal
injury through contact with the
rotating blade. The blade control must
operate easily in both directions and
automatically return to the disengaged
position when released.
18. Never operate the mower in wet grass.
Always be sure of your footing. A slip
and fall can cause serious personal
injury. If you feel you are losing your
footing, release the blade control handle
immediately and the blade will stop
rotating within three seconds.
19. Mow only in daylight or good artificial
light. Walk, never run.
20. Stop the blade when crossing gravel
drives, walks or roads.
21. If the equipment should start to vibrate
abnormally, stop the engine and check
immediately for the cause. Vibration is
generally a warning of trouble.
22. Shut the engine off and wait until
the blade comes to a complete stop
before removing the grass catcher or
unclogging the chute. The cutting blade
continues to rotate for a few seconds
after the blade control is released. Never
place any part of the body in the blade
area until you are sure the blade has
stopped rotating.
23. Never operate mower without proper
trail shield, discharge cover, grass
catcher, blade control or other safety
protective devices in place and working.
Never operate mower with damaged
safety devices. Failure to do so can result
in personal injury.
24. Muffler and engine become hot and can
cause a burn. Do not touch.
25. Never attempt to make a wheel or
cutting height adjustment while the
engine is running.
26. Only use parts and accessories made
for this machine by the manufacturer.
Failure to do so can result in personal
injury.
27. When starting engine, pull cord
slowly until resistance is felt, then pull
rapidly. Rapid retraction of starter cord
(kickback) will pull hand and arm toward
engine faster than you can let go. Broken
bones, fractures, bruises or sprains could
result.
28. If situations occur which are not covered
in this manual, use care and good
judgement. Contact Customer Support
for assistance or the name of the nearest
service dealer.