Safe Operation Prac tic es for Pe des tri an-Controlled Rotary Lawnmowers
IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is ca pa ble of am pu tat ing hands and feet and throwing objects.
Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
I. Training
• Read the instructions carefully. Be fa mil iar with the
con trols and the proper use of the equipment.
• Never allow children or people un fa mil iar with the
ins truc tions to use the lawnmower. Local regulations
may restrict the age of the operator.
• Never mow while people, especially children, or pets
are nearby.
• Keep in mind that the operator or user is responsible
for accidents or hazards occurring to other people or
their property.
II. Preparation
• While mowing, always wear sub stan tial footwear and
long trousers. Do not operate the equipment when
barefoot or wearing open sandals.
• Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to
be used and remove all objects which may be thrown
by the machine.
• WARNING - Petrol is highly fl ammable.
- Store fuel in containers specifi cally de signed for this
pur pose.
- Refuel outdoors only and do not smoke while re fu -
el ing.
- Add fuel before starting the engine. Never remove
the cap of the fuel tank or add petrol while the engine
is running or when the en gine is hot.
- If petrol is spilled, do not attempt to start the engine
but move the ma chine away from the area of spillage
and avoid cre at ing any source of ig ni tion until petrol
va pors have dis si pat ed.
- Replace all fuel tanks and container caps se-
cure ly.
• Replace faulty silencers.
• Before using, always visually inspect to see that the
blades, blade bolts and cutter assembly are not worn
or dam aged. Replace worn or damaged blades and
bolts in sets to pre serve balance.
• On multi-bladed machines, take care as rotating one
blade can cause other blades to rotate.
III. Operation
• Do not operate the engine in a confi ned space where
dan ger ous carbon mon ox ide fumes can collect.
• Mow only in daylight or in good artifi cial light.
• Avoid operating the equipment in wet grass, where
feasible.
• Always be sure of your footing on slopes.
• Walk, never run.
• For wheeled rotary machines, mow across the face of
slopes, never up and down.
• Exercise extreme caution when chang ing direction on
slopes.
• Do not mow excessively steep slopes.
• Use extreme caution when reversing or pulling the
lawnmower towards you.
• Stop the blade if the lawnmower has to be tilted for
trans por ta tion when cross ing surfaces other than grass,
and when transporting the lawnmower to and from the
area to be mowed.
• Never operate the lawnmower with defective guards, or
without safety de vic es, for example defl ectors and/or
grass catchers, in place.
• Do not change the engine governor settings or over-
speed the engine. Op er at ing the engine at excessive
speed may increase the hazard of personal injury.
• Disengage all blade and drive clutches before starting
the engine.
• Start the engine or switch on the motor carefully ac-
cording to instructions and with feet well away from
the blade.
• Do not tilt the lawnmower when starting the engine or
switch ing on the motor, except if the lawnmower has
to be tilted for starting. In this case, do not tilt more
than absolutely nec es sary and lift only the part which
is away from the op er a tor.
• Do not start the engine when standing in front of the
discharge chute.
• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts.
Keep clear of the dis charge opening at all times.
• Never pick up or carry lawnmower while the engine is
running.
• Stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire:
- before cleaning blockages or un clog ging chute;
- before checking, cleaning or work ing on the lawn-
mower;
- after striking a foreign object. Inspect the lawnmower
for damage and make repairs before re start ing and
op er at ing the lawnmower;
- if the lawnmower starts to vibrate abnormally (check
im me di ate ly).
• Stop the engine:
- whenever you leave the lawnmower;
- before refuelling.
• Reduce the throttle setting during en gine shut down
and, if the engine is provided with a shut-off valve, turn
the fuel off at the conclusion of mowing.
• Go slow when using a trailing seat.
IV. Maintenance and Storage
• Keep all nuts, bolts and screws tight to be sure the
equip ment is in safe work ing condition.
• Never store the equipment with petrol in the tank inside
a building where fumes may reach an open fl ame or
spark.
• Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclo-
sure.
• To reduce the fi re hazard, keep the engine, silencer,
battery compartment and petrol storage area free of
grass, leaves, or excessive grease.
• Check the grass catcher frequently for wear or de te -
ri o ra tion.
• Replace worn or damaged parts for safety.
• If the fuel tank has to be drained, this should be done
outdoors.
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