L GENERAL OPERATmON
o Read, understand,and follow all
instructionson the machineand in the
manual(s)beforestarting. Be thoroughly
familiarwith the controlsand the proper
use of the machinebeforestarting.
o Do not put hands or feet near or under
rotating parts.Keepclearof the dis-
charge opening at all times.
o Only allow responsibleindividuals,who
are familiar with the instructions,to oper-
ate the machine.
o Clear the areaof objectssuch as rocks,
toys,wire, bones,sticks, etc., which
could be pickedup and thrown by blade.
o Be sure the area is clear of other people
before mowing.Stop machineif anyone
enters the area.
o Do not operatethe mowerwhen bare-
foot or wearingopen sandals.Always
wear substantialfoot wear.
o Do not pull mowerbackwardsunless
absolutelynecessary.Alwayslook down
and behindbeforeandwhile moving
backwards.
o Neverdirect dischargedmaterial toward
anyone. Avoiddischargingmaterial
against a wall or obstruction. Material
may richochetback towardthe opera-
tor. Stop the bladewhen crossinggravel
surfaces.
o Do not operatethe mowerwithout
proper guards, plates,grass catcheror
other safety protectivedevices in place.
o See manufacturer'sinstructionsfor
proper operationand installationof
accessories.Only use accessoriesap-
proved by the manufacturer.
o Stop the blade(s)when crossing gravel
drives,walks, or roads.
o Stop the engine(motor)wheneveryou
leave the equipment,beforecleaningthe
moweror uncloggingthe chute.
o Shut the engine(motor) off and wait until
the blade comes to complete stop before
removinggrass catcher.
o Mow only in daylightor good artificial
light.
o Do not operatethe machinewhile under
the influenceof alcohol or drugs.
o Neveroperate machinein wet grass.
Alwaysbe sure of your footing:keepa
firm hold on the handle;walk, neverrun.
o Disengagethe self-propelledmech-
anism or drive clutch on mowersso
equipped beforestarting the engine.
o If the equipmentshould start to vibrate
abnormally,stop the engine (motor)and
check immediatelyfor the cause.Vibra-
tion is generallya warning of trouble.
o Alwayswear safetygogglesor safety
glasses with side shieldswhen operating
mower.
H.SLOPE OPERATmON
Slopes are a majorfactor relatedto slip &
fall accidentswhich can result in severein-
jury. All slopes requireextra caution.If you
feel uneasyon a slope,do not mow it.
DO:
o Mow acrossthe face of slopes:never
up and down.Exerciseextremecaution
when changingdirection on slopes.
o Removeobstaclessuch as rocks,tree
limbs, etc.
o Watchfor holes,ruts, or bumps.Tall
grass can hide obstacles.
DO NOT:
o Do not trim near drop-offs,
ditches
or
embankments.
The operator
could lose
footing
or balance.
o Do not trim excessively
steep slopes.
o Do not mow on wet grass.
Reduced
foot-
ing could cause
slipping.
HI. 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.
o Keep children
out of the trimming
area
and under the watchful
care of another
responsible
adult.
o Be alert and turn machine
off if children
enter the area.
o Before
and while walking
backwards,
look behind
and down for small children.
o Never allow children
to operate
the ma-
chine.
o Use extra care when
approaching
blind
corners,
shrubs,
trees,
or other objects
that may obscure
vision.
inV.SAFE
HANDLING
OF GASOLINE
Use extreme
care in handling
gasoline.
Gasoline
is extremely
flammable
and the
vapors
are explosive.
o Extinguish
all cigarettes,
cigars,
pipes
and other sources
of ignition.
o Use only an approved
container.
o Never remove
gas cap or add fuel with
the engine
running.
Allow engine
to cool
before
refueling.
o Never refuel the machine
indoors.
o Never store the machine
or fuel contain-
er where
there
is an open flame,
spark
or pilot light such as a water heater
or on
other
appliances.