Operation
Before Operation
Before Operation Safety
General Safety
•
Become familiar with the safe operation of the
equipment, operator controls, and safety signs.
•
Check that all guards and safety devices, such as
deflectors and/or grass catcher, are in place and
working properly.
•
Always inspect the machine to ensure that the
blades, blade bolts, and cutting assembly are not
worn or damaged.
•
Inspect the area where you will use the machine
and remove all objects that the machine could
throw.
•
Adjusting the cutting height may bring you into
contact with the moving blade, causing serious
injury.
– Shut off the engine and wait for all moving
parts to stop.
– Do not put your fingers under the housing
when adjusting the cutting height.
Fuel Safety
DANGER
Fuel is extremely flammable and highly
explosive. A fire or explosion from fuel
can burn you and others and can damage
property.
• To prevent a static charge from igniting the
fuel, place the container and/or machine
directly on the ground before filling, not in
a vehicle or on an object.
• Fill the fuel tank outdoors, in an open area,
when the engine is cold. Wipe up any fuel
that spills.
• Do not handle fuel when smoking or
around an open flame or sparks.
• Store fuel in an approved container and
keep it out of the reach of children.
WARNING
Fuel is harmful or fatal if swallowed.
Long-term exposure to vapors can cause
serious injury and illness.
• Avoid prolonged breathing of vapors.
• Keep your hands and face away from the
nozzle and the fuel-tank opening.
• Keep fuel away from your eyes and skin.
Filling the Fuel Tank
•
For best results, use only clean, fresh (less than
30 days old), unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating of 87 or higher ((R+M)/2 rating method).
•
Oxygenated fuel with up to 10% ethanol or 15%
MTBE by volume is acceptable.
•
Ethanol: Gasoline with up to 10% ethanol
(gasohol) or 15% MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl
ether) by volume is acceptable. Ethanol and
MTBE are not the same. Gasoline with 15%
ethanol (E15) by volume is not approved for use.
Never use gasoline that contains more than 10%
ethanol by volume, such as E15 (contains 15%
ethanol), E20 (contains 20% ethanol), or E85
(contains up to 85% ethanol). Using unapproved
gasoline may cause performance problems and/or
engine damage which may not be covered under
warranty.
•
Do not use gasoline containing methanol.
•
Do not store fuel either in the fuel tank or in fuel
containers over the winter unless a fuel stabilizer
is used.
•
Do not add oil to gasoline.
Important:
To reduce starting problems, add fuel
stabilizer to the fuel all season, mixing it with
gasoline less than 30 days old.
Refer to your engine manual for additional information.
Note:
The capacity of the fuel tank is 3.76 L (0.99
US gallon).
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