GENERAL OPERATION
• Read this owner's guide carefully
in
its entirety before attempting to assemble this machine. Read,
understand, and follow all instructions
on
the machine and
in
the manuals before operation.
Be
completely familiar with the controls and the proper use of this machine before operating
it.
Keep this
manual
in
a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.
• Your rotary mower
is
a precision piece of power equipment, not a plaything. Therefore, exercise
extreme caution at all times. Your lawn mower has been designed to perform one job: to mow grass.
Do
not use it for any other purpose.
• Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a power mower. Children 14 years old and over
should only operate mower under close parental supervision. Only responsible individuals who are .
familiar with these rules of safe operation should be allowed to use your mower.
• Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, particularly small children and pets. Stop engine when
they are
in
the vicinity of your mower to help prevent blade contact or thrown object injury. Although
the area of operation should
be
completely cleared of foreign objects,
an
object may have been
overlooked and could be accidentally thrown by the mower
in
any direction and cause serious
personal injury to the operator or any others allowed
in
the area.
• Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment
is
to
be
used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire,
bones, toys and other foreign objects
wh
i
ch
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. Plan
your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the likes.
To help avoid a thrown objects injury, keep children, bystanders and helpers at least
75
feet away
from
th
e mower while it
is
in
operation.
•
Al
ways 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.
• Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover
the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are recommended.
Do
not wear loose fitting clothes or
jewelry. They can
be
caught
in
moving parts. Never operate a lawn mower
in
bare feet, sandals,
s
li
ppery or light weight (e.g. canvas) shoes.
• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts. Keep clear of discharge opening at all times
as
the rotating blade can cause injury.
• Many injuries occur
as
a result of the mower being pulled over the foot during a fall.
Do
not hang
on
to
t
he
mower if
you
are falling; release the handle immediately.
• Never pull the mower toward
you
while
you
are walking. If
you
must back the mower away from a wall
or obstruction first look down and behind, and then follow these steps:
A. Step back from the mower to fully extend your arms.
B.
Be
sure
you
are well balanced with sure footing.
C.
Pull the mower back slowly,
no
more than half way toward you.
D. Repeat these steps
as
needed.
•
Do
not operate the mower while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Do not engage t
he
self-propelled mechanism
on
units
so
equipped while starting engine.
• T
he
blade control handle
is
a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so makes
th
e safety device inoperative and may result
in
personal injury through contact with the rotating blade.
The blade cont
rol
handle must operate easily
in
both directions and automatically return to the
disengaged position when released.
• Never operate the mower
in
wet grass. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause
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