SERVICE NOTES
50
• Clear the area of objects such as rocks,
toys, wire, bones, sticks, etc., which
could be picked up and thrown by blade.
Stay behind the handle when the engine
(motor) is running.
• Be sure the area is clear of other people
before mowing. Stop ma chine if anyone
enters the area.
• Do not operate machine bare footed or
while wearing sandals. Al ways wear
substantial footwear with good ankle
support while mowing.
• Do not pull mower backwards unless
absolutely nec es sary. 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 richochet back toward the opera-
tor. Stop blade when crossing gravel
surfaces.
• Do not operate the mower without
proper guards, plates, grass catcher or
oth er safety protective devices in place.
• See manufacturer's instructions for prop-
er operation and installation of accesso-
ries. Only use accessories approved by
the manufacturer.
• Stop the blade(s) when crossing grav el
drives, walks, or roads.
• Never leave a running machine unat-
tended.
• Stop the engine (motor) and wait until
the blade comes to a complete stop
before clean ing the machine, remov-
ing the grass catcher, or unclogging the
discharge chute.
• Mow only in daylight or good artifi cial
light.
• Do not operate the machine while under
the infl uence of alcohol or drugs.
• Never operate machine in wet grass.
Always be sure of your footing: keep a
fi rm hold on the handle; walk, never run.
• Disengage the drive system, if so equipped,
before starting the engine (motor).
• If the equipment should start to vi brate
abnormally, stop the engine (motor) and
check immediately for the cause. Vibra-
tion is generally a warning of trouble.
• Always wear eye protection when op er-
at ing machine.
• Use extra care when approaching blind
corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects
that may obscure vision.
• When loading or unloading this machine,
do not exceed the maximum recom-
mended operation angle of 15°.
• Wear proper Personal Protective Equip-
ment (PPE) while operating this ma-
chine, including (at a minimum) sturdy
footwear, eye protection, and hearing
protection. Do not mow in shorts or
open toed footwear.
Always let someone know you are outside
mowing.
III. 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: nev er
up and down. Exercise extreme caution
when changing direction on slopes.
• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree
limbs, etc.
• Watch for holes, ruts, bumps or hidden
objects. Uneven terrain could cause a
slip and fall accident. Tall grass can hide
obstacles.
DO NOT:
• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or
embankments. You could lose your foot-
ing or balance.
• Do not mow on wet grass or excessively
steep slopes. Poor footing could cause a
slip and fall accident.
IV. SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE
To avoid personal injury or property dam-
age, use extreme care in handling gaso-
line. Gasoline is extremely fl ammable 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 fl ame, spark
or pilot light such as a water heater or on
other appliances.
• Never fi ll 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 fi lling.
• 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.
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