A. THIS SYMBOLPOINTSOUT IMPORTANTSAFETYINSTRUCTIONSWHICH,IF NOTFOLLOWED,COULDENDANGERTHE PERSONAL
A _. SAFETYAND/OR PROPERTYOFYOURSELFAND OTHERS.READAND FOLLOWALL INSTRUCTIONSIN THIS MANUALBEFORE,,'
A'I-rEMPTINGTOOPERATEYOURLAWNMOWER.FAILURETO COMPLYWITHTHESEINSTRUCTIONSMAY RESULTIN PERSONAL,_
INJURY.WHENYOUSEETHIS SYMBOL-- _ HEEDITSWARNING. m=
I _ Your lawn mowerwas built to be operatedaccordingto the rules for safe operationin this manual. As I
DANGER: with anytypeof powerequipment,carelessnessor error onthe part of the opera!orcan result in serious
injury.This lawn moweris capableof amputatinghandsandfeet andthrowingOblects.Failureto observe
the followingsafetyinstructions couldresultin seriousInjuryor death. I
,__,1. GENERALOPERATION
1. Readthisowner'sguide carefullyin itsentiretybeforeattempt-
ing to assemblethis machine. Read,understand,and follow all
instructions on the machineand in the manual(s) before opera-
tion. Be completely familiar with the controls and the proper
use of this machine before operating it. Keepthis manual in a
safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering
replacementpans.
2. Your rotary mower is a precision piece of power equipment,
not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at al!
times, Your unit has been designed to perform one job: to
mow grass. Donot use it for any other purpose.
3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a power
mower. Children 14 years old and over should only operate
mower underclose parentalsupervision. Only responsibleindi-
viduals who are familiar with these rules of safe operation
should beallowedto useyour mower.
4. Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, particularly
small children and pets. Stop engine when they are in the
vicinity of your mowerto help prevent bladecontact orthrown
object injury. Although the area of operation should be com-
pletely cleared of foreign objects, an object may have been
overlookedand could be accidentally thrown by the mower in
any direction and causeserious personal injury to the operator
or anyothers allowedin the area.
5. Thoroughly inspectthe area where the equipment is to be
used. Removeall stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and other
foreign objects which could be picked up and thrown by the
mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to
the operator or any others allowed in the area.Planyour mow-
ing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward roads, side-
walks, bystandersand the like. To helpavoid a thrown objects
injury, keep children, bystanders and helpers at least75 feet
from the mowerwhile it is in operation.
6, Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during operation
or while performing an adjustment or repair, to protect eyes
from foreign objects that may be thrown from the machine in
any direction.
7. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting slacks
and shins. Shins and pants that cover the arms and legs end
steel-toed shoes are recommended. Do not wear loose fitting
clothes or jewelry. Theycan be caught in moving pans. Never
operatea unit in barefeet, sandals,or sneakers.
8. Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating pans. Keep
clearof dischargeopeningat all times as the rotating bladecan
causeinjury.
9. Many injuries occur asa result of the mower being pulled over
the foot during a tal!. Do not hang on to the mower if you are
falling; releasethe handleimmediately.
10. Neverpull the mower toward you while you arewalking. It you
must back the mower away from a wall or obstructionfirst
look down end behind,andthen follow thesesteps:
a. Stepbackfrom the mower to futly extendyour arms.
b. Besure you areweft balancedwithsurefooting.
c. Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way toward
you.
d. Repeatthesestepsas needed.
11. Donot operatethe mower whileunder the influenceof alcohol
or drugs.
12. Disengage the self-propelled mechanism or drive clutch on
units so equippedbeforestarting the engine,
13. The blade control handle is a safety device.Neverattempt t(
bypassitsoperation. Doingso makesthe safety deviceinoper.
ativeand may result in personal injury through contact withthe
rotating blade.The bladecontrol handlemust operate easily i_
both directions and automatically return to the disengaged
position whenreleased.
14. Neveroperatethe mower in wet grass.Always be sure of youJ
footing, A slip endfall can causeserious personal injury. Kee_
a firm hold on the handle and walk, never run. Mow only in
daylight or ingood artificial light.
15. Stopthe bladewhen crossing gravel drives,walksor roads.
16. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the
engineand check immediately for the cause.Vibration is gen-
erallya warning of trouble.
17. Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to a com-
pletestop beforeremoving the grasscatcheror uncloggingthe
chute. The cutting blade continues to rotate for a few seconds
afterthe engine isshut off. Neverplaceany part of the body in
the bladearea until you are sure the blade has stopped rotat-
ing.
18. Neveroperate mower without proper guards, grass catcher.
platesor other safetyprotective devicesin place.
19. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not
touch.
20. Only useaccessoriesapprovedfor this machine by the manu-
facturer. Read,understand,andfollow all instructions provided
with the approvedaccessory.
21. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use
careand goodjudgment. Contactyour dealerfor assistance.
,_11. SLOPEOPERATION
Foryour safety, usethe slopegaugeincludedaspart of this manual
to measure slopes before operating this unit on a sloped or hilly
area.If the slope is greaterthan 15°, asshown on the slope gauge,
do not operatethis unit onthat areaor seriousinjury could result.
DO:
• Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down. Exercise
extremecaution whenchangingdirection on slopes.
• Watch for holes, ruts, hidden objects, or bumps. Tall grass can
hideobstacles.
• Always besure of your footing. A slip and fall can causeserious
personalinjury.
DONOT:
* Donot mow neardrop-offs, ditchesor embankments.The opera-
tor could loosefooting or balance.
• Do not mow slopes greater than 15° as shown on the slope
gauge.
• Donot mow onwet grass. Reducedfooting could causeslipping.
_e_ III. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the pres-
enceof children. Childrenare often attractedto the mower and the
mowing activity. Neverassumethat children will remain where you
last sawthem.
1. Keepchildren out of the mowing areaand under the watchful
careof a responsibleadult otherthanthe operator.
2. Bealert and turn mower off if a child entersthe area.
3. Beforeand while moving backwards,look behind anddown for
small children.
4. Neveratlowchildren underage 14to operatethe mower.
2