SAFETY RULES
Safe Operation
Practices for Walk-Behind
Mowers
IMPORTANT:
THIS CUTTING
MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING
HANDS AND FEE'[" AND THROWING
OBJECTS
FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING
SAFETY iNSTRUCTiONS
COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS
iNJURY OR DEATH,
SAFETY STANDARDS REQUIRE
OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLS TO MiNiMiZE THE RISK OF iNJURY,
YOUR UNIT tS
EQUIPPED WITH SUCH CONTROLS,
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DEFEAT THE FUNCTION OF THE OPERATOR
PRESENCE
CONTROLS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCESo
TRAINING:
-
Read thisoperator's manual carefully. Become familiar with
the controls and know how to operate your mower propedy,.
Leam how to quickly stop mower..
•
Do not allow children to use your mower_ Never allow adults
to use mower without proper instructions.
°
Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, especially
small children and pets.
=
Use mower only as the manufacturer intended and as de-
scribed in this manual..
°
Do not operate mower if it has been dropped or damaged in
any manner
Always have damage repaired before using
your mower_
•
Do notuse accessory attachments that are notrecommended
by the manufacturer,
Use of such attachments may be
hazardous_
•
The blade turns when the engine is running
PREPARATION:
•
Always thoroughlycheck the area to be mowed and clear it of
al! stones, sticks, wires, bones, and other foreign objects_
These objects will be thrown by the blade and can cause
severe injury.,
*
Always wear safety glasses or eye shields when starting and
while using your mower.
.
Dress properly.
Do not operate mower when barefoot or
wearing open sandals.
Wear only solid shoes with good
traction when mowing.
°
Check fuel tank before starting engine. Do not fill gas tank
indoors, when the engine is running or when the engine is hot.
Allow the engine to cool for several minutes before fillingthe
gas tank° Clean off any spilled gasoline before stading the
engine.
-
Always make wheel height adjustments before starting your
mower.. Never attempt to do this while the engine is running.
=
Mow only in daylight or good artificial light_
OPERATION:
-
Keep your eyes and mind on your mower and the area being
cuL Do not let other interests distract you_
•
Do not mow wet or slippery grass° Never run while operating
your mower. Aiways besure of your footing - keep a firm hold
on the handles and walk.
.
Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts, Keep
clear of the discharge opening at afl times.,
°
Always stop the engine whenever you leave or are not using
your mower, or before crossing driveways, walks, roads, and
any gravel-covered areas..
•
Never direct discharge of mateda[ toward bystanders nor
allow anyone near the mower while you are operating it.
°
Before cleaning, inspecting,or repairing your mower, stop the
engine and make absolutely sure the blade and all moving.
parts have stopped Then disconnect the spark plug wire and
keep it away from the spark plug to prevent accidental
starting_
°
Do not continue to run your mower' if you hit a foreign object.
Follow the procedure outlined above, then repair any dam-
age before restarting and operating you mower.
•
Do not change the governor settings or overspeed the
engine. Engine damage or personal injury may result.
•
Do not operate your mower if it vibrates abnormally.. Exces-
sive vibration is an indication of damage; stop the engine,
safely check for the cause of vibration and repair as required.
Do not run the engine indoors° Exhaust fumes are danger-
OUS_
Never cut grass by pulling the mower towards you. Mow
across the face of slopes, never up and down or you might
lose your footing. Do not mow excessively steep slopes., Use
caution when operating the mower on uneven terrain or when
changing directions - maintain good footing.
•
Never operate your mower without proper guards,_lates,
grass catcher or other safety devices in pJace_
'_
t
Check the blade and the engine mounting bolts ofte_ to be
sure they are tightened properly
,,
Check all bolts, nuts and screws at frequent intervals for
proper tightness to be sure mower is in safe working condi-
tion.
•
Keep all safety devices in place and working
=
To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine free of grass, leaves
or excessive grease and oil.,
•
Check grass catcher often for deterioration and wear and
replace worn bags,
Use only repEacement bags that are
recommended
by and comply with specifications of the
manufacturer' of your mower.
°
Always keep a sharp blade on your mower,,
•
Allow engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.
•
Never store mower with fuel in the tank inside a building
where fumes may reach an open flame or an ignitionsource
such as a hot water heater, space heater, clothes dryer, etc.
Look for this
symbol
to point
out im-
portant
safety
precautions.
It means
CAUTIONI[!
BECOMEALERT!!!
YOUR
SAFETY
IS INVOLVED.
CAUTION:
Always
disconnect
spark
plug wire and place wire where it can-
not contact spark plug in order to pre-
vent accidental
starting
when setting
up, transporting,
adjusting
or making
repairs.
L//I
II,J,_HI,/II _
/
WARNING A
The engine
exhaust
from this product
con-
tains chemicals
known to the State of Califor-
nia to cause
cancer,
birth defects,
or other
reproductive
harm.
2