,
Remove
gas-powered
equipment
from
the truck or trailer
and refuel
it on the
ground.
If this is not possible,
then
refuel
such equipment
with a portable
container,
rather
than from a gasoline
dispenser
nozzle.
•
Keep the nozzle
in contact
with the rim
of the fuel tank or container
opening
at
all times
until fueling
is complete.
Do
not use a nozzle
lock-open
device.
•
If fuel
is spilled
on clothing,
change
clothing
immediately.
•
Never
overfill
fuel tank.
Replace
gas
cap and tighten
securely.
GENERAL
SERVICE
,
Never operate
machine
in a closed area.
,
Keep all nuts and bolts tight to be sure the
equipment
is in safe working
condition.
,
Never tamper
with safety
devices.
Check
their
proper
operation
regularly.
,
Keep
machine
free of grass,
leaves,
or
other
debris
build-up.
Clean
oil or fuel
spillage
and remove
any fuel-soaked
de-
bris. Allow machine
to cool before storing.
•
If you strike
a foreign
object,
stop and
inspect
the machine.
Repair,
if neces-
sary,
before
restarting.
•
Never
make
any adjustments
or re-
pairs with the engine
running.
•
Check
grass
catcher
components
and
the discharge
guard frequently
and
replace
with manufacturer's
recom-
mended
parts,
when
necessary.
•
Mower
blades
are sharp.
Wrap
the
blade
or wear
gloves,
and use extra
caution
when
servicing
them.
•
Check
brake
operation
frequently.
Adjust
and service
as required.
•
Maintain
or replace
safety
and instruc-
tion labels,
as necessary.
,
Be sure the area is clear
of bystand-
ers before
operating.
Stop
machine
if
anyone
enters
the area.
,
Never
carry passengers.
,
Do not mow in reverse
unless
abso-
lutely necessary.
Always
look down
and behind
before
and while
backing.
,
Never
carry children,
even with the
blades
shut off.
They
may fall off and
be seriously
injured
or interfere
with
safe machine
operation.
Children
who
have been given
rides
in the past may
suddenly
appear
in the mowing
area
for another
ride and be run over or
backed
over by the machine.
,
Keep children
out of the mowing
area
and in the watchful
care of a respon-
sible
adult other
than the operator.
,
Be alert and turn machine
off if a child
enters
the area.
•
Before
and while
backing,
look behind
and down for small
children.
•
Mow up and down slopes
(15 ° Max),
not across.
,
Choose
a low ground
speed
so that
you will not have to stop or shift while
on the slope.
,
Avoid
starting,
stopping,
or turning
on
a slope.
If the tires lose traction,
dis-
engage
the blades
and proceed
slowly
straight
down
the slope.
•
If machine
stops
while
going
uphill,
disengage
blades,
shift
into reverse
and back down
slowly.
•
Do not turn on slopes
unless
neces-
sary, and then, turn slowly
and gradu-
ally downhill,
if possible.
5