IMPORTANT SAFEOPERATIONPRACTICES
_ THIS SYMBOL POINTSOUTIMPORTANTSAF-TY INSTRUCTIONSWHICH, IFNOTFOLLOWED,COULDENDANGERTHE PERSON-
AL SAFETYAND/OR PROPERTYOF YOUR_ELF AND OTHERS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL
BEFOREATTEMPTINGTOOPERATEYOURUI_IT. WHENYOU SEETHIS SYMBOL-- Z_, HEEDITS WARNING.
Your lawn mower was btlit to be operated accordingto the rules for safe operation in this manual. As
with any type of power el uipment, carelessnessor error on the part of the operator canresult in injury.
This lawn mower is capalie of amputating handsand feet and throwing objects. Failure to observethe
iollowing safety instructie_s couldresult in seriousinjuryor death.
GENERALOPERATION
Read,understand, andfollow all instructionsin the r
on the machine before starting. Keep this rnanua
placefor future and regular reference and for orderil
ment parts.
2. Onlyallow responsible individualsfamiliar with the il
to operate the machine. Know controls and how t
machine quickly.
3. Do not put hands or feet under cutting deck or ne
parts.
4. Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire,,
could be picked up and thrown by the blade. A sr
may have beenoverlooked and could be accidentally
the mower in any direction and cause injury tc
bystander. To help avoid a thrown objects inj
children, bystanders and helpers at least 75 fee
mower while it is in operation. Always wear safety
safety goggles during operation or while perfc
adjustment or repair, to protect eyesfrom foreign ob
the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks or rc
5. Be sure the area is clear of other people before mo'
machine if anyone enters the area.
6. Nevercarry passengers.
7. Disengage blade(s) before shifting into reverseand L
Always look down and behind beforeand while backi
8. Beaware of the mower and attachment discharge dir
do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the mow
either the entire grass catcher or the chute guard in I:
9. Slow down before turning. Operate the machine
Avoid erratic operation and excessive speed.
10. Never leave a running machine unattended. Alwa_
blade(s), place transmission in neutral, set park b
engine andremove key before dismounting.
11. Turn off blade(s) when not mowing.
12. Stop engine and wait until blade(s) comes to a corr
before (a) removing grass catcher or unclogging ch
making any repairs, adjusting or removing any grass
13. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
14. Do not operate the machine while under the in1
alcohol or drugs.
15. Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing ro_
16. Use extra care when loading or unloading the macl
trailer or truck. This unit should not be driven up
ramp onto a trailer or truck under power, becaus
could tip over, causing serious personal injury. The
be pushed manually on a ramp to load or unload prot
17. Never make a cutting height adjustment while
running if operator must dismount to do so.
18. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitl
and shirts. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or jew
can be caught in moving parts. Never operate a u_
feet, sandals, or sneakers.
19. Checkoverhead clearancecarefully before driving un
lines, wires, bridges or low hanging tree branch,
entering or leaving buildings, or in any other situal
tanualand
in a safe
g replace- 20.
structions 21.
}stop the
Lrrotating
tc., which
_allobject
thrown by
you or a
Jry, keep
from the
jlasses or
rming an
ects. Stop
]ds.
ling. Stop
]cking up.
lg.
,_ctionand
;r without
lace.
;moothly.
s turn off
ake, stop
plete stop
rote,or (b)
_r debris.
uence of
:lways.
ine into a
+_rdown a
._the unit
unit must
erly.
,_ngine is
ng slacks
_lry. They
it in bare
,_kll.
Jer power
s, before
on where
the operator may be struck or pulled from the unit, which
could result in serious injury.
Disengage all attachment clutches, thoroughly depress the
brake pedal, and shift into neutral before attempting to start
engine.
Your mower is designed to cut normal residential grass of a
height no more than 10". Do not attempt to mow through
unusually tall, dry grass (e.g., pasture) or piles of dry leaves.
Debris may build up on the mower deck or contact the engine
exhaust presenting a potential fire hazard.
SLOPEOPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip-over
accidents which can result in severe injury or death. All slopes
requireextra caution.If you cannotback up the slope or ifyou feel
uneasy on it, do not mow it.
For your safety, use the slope gauge includedas partof this manual
to measure slopes before operating this unit on a sloped or hilly
area. If the slope isgreater than 15° as shown on the slope gauge,
do not operate this unit on that area or serious injurycould result.
DO:
Mow up and down slopes, not across.
Removeobstaclessuch asrocks, limbs,etc.
Watch for holes, ruts or bumps. Uneventerraincould overturn the
machine.Tall grasscanhide obstacles.
Use slow speed. Choose a low enough gear so that you will not
haveto stop or shift while on the slope. Always keep machine in
gear when going down slopes to take advantage of engine braking
action.
Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for wheel weights or
counterweights to improve stability.
Use extra carewith grass catchers or other attachments. These can
changethe stability of the machine.
Keepall movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do not make
sudden changes in speed or direction. Rapid engagement or brak-
ing could causethe front of the machine to lift and rapidly flip over
backwards which could cause serious injury.
Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disen-
gagethe blade(s) and proceed slowly straightdown the slope.
DONOT:
Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn slowly and
graduallydownhill, if possible.
Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments.The mower
could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff or
ditch, or if an edgecaves in.
Donol mow on wet grass. Reducedtraction could causesliding.
Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the
ground.
Donot usegrass catcher on steepslopes.
,_ III. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the pres-
ence of children. Children are often attracted to the machine and
the mowing activity. Neverassume that children will remain where
you last saw them.