IoGENERAL OPERATION
• Read, understand,and follow all
instructions on the machine and in the
manual(s) before starting. Be thoroughly
familiar with the controls and the proper
use of the machinebefore starting.
• Do not put hands or feet near or under
rotatingparts. Keep clear of the dis-
charge opening at all times.
• Onlyallow responsibleindividuals,familiar
withtheinstructions, tooperatethemachine.
• Clear
the area of objects
such as rocks,
toys, wire,
bones,
sticks,
etc., which
could
be picked
up and thrown
by blade.
Be sure the area is clear of other
people
before
mowing.
Stop machine
if anyone
enters
the area.
• Do not operate
the mower
when
bare-
foot or wearing
open sandals.
Always
wear substantial
foot wear.
• Do not pull mower
backwards
unless
ab-
solutely
necessary.
Always
look down and
behind before and while moving backwards.
• Never
direct
discharged
material
toward
anyone.
Avoid discharging
material against
a wall or obstruction.
Material
may richo-
chet back toward
the operator.
Stop the
blade when
crossing
gravel
surfaces.
• Do not operate
the mower
without
proper
guards,
plates,
grass
catcher
or
other
safety
protective
devices
in place.
• See manufacturer's
instructions
for
proper
operation
and installation
of
accessories.
Only use accessories
ap-
proved
by the manufacturer.
• Stop the blade(s)
when
crossing
gravel
drives,
walks,
or roads.
• Stop the engine
(motor)
whenever
you
leave
the equipment,
before
cleaning
the
mower
or unclogging
the chute.
• Shut the engine
(motor)
off and wait until
the blade comes
to complete
stop before
removing
grass
catcher.
• Mow only
in daylight
/ good artificial
light.
• Do not operate
the machine
while
under
the influence
of alcohol
or drugs.
• Never
operate
machine
in wet grass.
Always
be sure of your footing:
keep a
firm hold on the handle;
walk,
never
run.
• Disengage
the self-propelled
mech-
anism
or drive clutch
on mowers
so
equipped
before
starting
the engine.
• If the equipment
should
start to vibrate
abnormally,
stop the engine
(motor)
and
check
immediately
for the cause.
Vibra-
tion is generally
a warning
of trouble.
• AIwayswear
safety goggles
or safety glass-
es with side shields when operating
mower.
Ii. SLOPE
OPERATION
Slopes
are a major
factor
related
to slip &
fall accidents
which
can result in severe
injury. All slopes
require
extra caution.
If
you feel uneasy
on a slope,
do not mow it.
DO:
• Mow across
the face of slopes:
never
up and down.
Exercise
extreme
caution
when
changing
direction
on slopes.
Remove
obstacles
such as rocks,
tree
limbs,
etc.
• Watch
for holes,
ruts, or bumps.
Tall
grass
can hide obstacles.
DO NOT:
• Do not trim near drop-offs,
ditches
or
embankments.
The operator
could
lose
footing
or balance.
• Do not trim excessively
steep
slopes.
• Do not mow on wet grass.
Reduced
foot-
ing could
cause
slipping.
i11. CHILDREN
Tragic
accidents
can occur
if the operator
is not alert to the presence
of children.
Children
are often attracted
to the machine
and the mowing
activity.
Never assume
that children
will remain
where
you last
saw them.
• Keep children
out of the trimming
area
and under the watchful
care of another
responsible
adult.
• Be alert and turn machine
off if children
enter the area.
• Before
and while
walking
backwards,
look behind
and down for small children.
• Never
allow
children
to operate
mower.
• Use extra care when
approaching
blind
corners,
shrubs,
trees,
or other
objects
that may obscure
vision.
IV. SAFE
HANDLING
OF
GASOLINE
Use extreme
care
in handling
gasoline.
Gasoline
is extremely
flammable
and the
vapors
are explosive.
• Extinguish
all cigarettes,
cigars,
pipes
and other
sources
of ignition.
• Use only an approved
container.
• Never
remove
gas cap or add fuel with
the engine
running.
Allow
engine
to cool
before
refueling.
• Never
refuel the machine
indoors.
• Never
store the machine
or fuel contain-
er where
there
is an open
flame,
spark
or pilot light such as a water
heater
or on
other
appliances.
• Never
fill containers
inside
a vehicle,
on
a truck or trailer
bed with a plastic
liner.
Always
place
containers
on the ground
away from your vehicle
before
filling.