1.GENERAL OPERATION
o Read,understand, a ndfollow all
instructionson the machineand in the
manual(s)beforestarting.. B e thoroughly
familiarwith the controlsand the proper
use of the machinebeforestarting.
° Do not put handsor feet near or under
rotatingparts_Keepclearof the dis-
charge openingat all times.
o Only allowresponsibleindividuals,who
are familiarwith the instructions, t o oper-
ate the machine,.
o Clearthe areaof objectssuchas rocks,
toys, wire, bones,sticks,etc. which
could be pickedup andthrownby blade,.
° Be sure the areais clear ofother people
beforemowing.Stop machineif anyone
entersthe area.
° Do not operatethe mowerwhen bare-
foot or wearingopen sandals.Always
wear substantial f ootwear_
° Do not pull mowerbackwardsunless
absolutelynecessary. A lwayslookdown
and behindbeforeand whilemoving
backwards°
o Neverdirectdischargedmaterialtoward
anyone°Avoiddischargingmaterial
againsta wall or obstruction. Material
may richochetbacktowardthe opera-
tor. Stop the bladewhen crossinggravel
surfaces.
o Do not operatethe mowerwithout
proper guards,plates,grasscatcheror
other safetyprotectivedevicesin place.
° See manufacturer's instructionsfor
properoperationand installationof
accessories.Only useaccessoriesap-
provedby the manufacturer_
° Stop the blade(s)when crossinggravel
drives,walks,or roads.
° Stop the engine(motor)wheneveryou
leave time equipment,beforecleaningthe
moweror uncloggingthe chute.
o Shut the engine(motor)off andwait until
the bladecomesto completestop before
removinggrasscatcher.
• Mowonlyin daylightor goodartificial
lighL
o Do not operatethe machinewhile under
the influenceof alcoholor drugs.
• Neveroperatemachinein wet grass.
Alwaysbe sureof your footing:keep a
firm hold on the handle;walk, neverrun.
o Disengagethe self-propelled mech-
anismor driveclutchon mowersso
equippedbeforestartingthe engine.
o If the equipmentsllould startto vibrate
abnormally,stopthe engine(motor)and
check immediately for the causerVibra-
tion is generallya warningof trouble.
o Alwayswear' s afetygogglesor safety
glasseswith sideshieldswhen operating
mower,
!i. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopesare a majorfactorrelatedto slip&
fall accidentswhich can resultin severein-
jury_All slopesrequireextra caution,if you
feel uneasyon a slope,do not mowit.
DO:
° Mowacrossthe face of slopes:never
up and down.Exerciseextremecaution
when changingdirectionon 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 stopes.
° Do not mow on wet g_ass_ Reduced
foot-
ing could cause slipping.
III. 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
adull.
• 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
the ma-
chine.
,, Use extra care when approaching
blind
corners,
shrubs,
trees, or olher objects
that may obscure
vision°
IV. SAFE
HANDLING
OF GASOLINE
Use extreme
care in handling
gasoline°
Gasoline
is extremely
flammable
and the
vapors
are exptosive_
,, 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 coot
before
refueling.
,, Never refuel the machine
indoors_
° Never store time machine
or fuel contain-
er where there is an open flame, spark
or pilot light such as a water heater or on
other appliances.
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