5se c t i O n 2 — iM p O r t a n t sa f e Op e r a t i O n pr a c t i c e s
Use only an approved gasoline container.2.
Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer3.
bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the
ground away from your vehicle before filling.
Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or4.
trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible,
then refuel such equipment on a trailer with a portable
container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.
Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or5.
container opening at all times until fueling is complete. Do
not use a nozzle lock-open device.
Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of6.
ignition.
Never fuel machine indoors because flammable vapors will7.
accumulate in the area.
Never remove gas cap or add fuel while engine is hot or8.
running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before
refueling.
Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to red indicator bar inside9.
tank.
Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.10.
If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment.11.
Move unit to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting
engine.
Never store the machine or fuel container near an open12.
flame, spark or pilot light as on a water heater, space
heater, furnace, clothes dryer, or other gas appliances.
To reduce fire hazard, keep dethatcher free of grass, leaves,13.
or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and
remove any fuel soaked debris.
Allow dethatcher to cool at least 5 minutes before storing.14.
General Service:
Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area.1.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless
and deadly gas.
Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the 2.
blades and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the
spark plug wire and ground against the engine to prevent
unintended starting.
Check the blade and engine mounting fasteners at3.
frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually
inspect blades for damage (e.g., bent, cracked, worn)
Replace blades with the original equipment manufacture’s
(O.E.M.) blade only. Use of parts which do not meet the
original equipment specifications may lead to improper
performance and compromise safety!
Dethatcher blades may be sharp and can cut. Wrap the4.
blade or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing
them.
Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the5.
equipment is in safe working condition.
Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper6.
operation regularly.
After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect7.
the spark plug wire and ground against the engine.
Thoroughly inspect the dethatcher for any damage. Repair
the damage before starting and operating the dethatcher.
For safety protection, frequently check components8.
and replace immediately with original equipment
manufacturer’s (O.E.M.) parts only. Use of parts which do
not meet the original equipment specifications may lead to
improper performance and compromise safety!
Do not change the engine governor setting or overspeed9.
the engine. The governor controls the maximum safe
operating speed of the engine. Do not crank engine with
spark plug removed.
Check fuel line, tank, cap, and fittings frequently for cracks10.
or leaks. Replace if necessary.
Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as11.
necessary.
Observe proper disposal laws and regulations. Improper 12.
disposal of fluids and materials can harm the environment.
Do not modify engine
To avoid serious injury or death, do not modify engine in any
way. Tampering with the governor setting can lead to a runaway
engine and cause it to operate at unsafe speeds. Never tamper
with factory setting of engine governor.
Notice Regarding Emissions
Engines which are certified to comply with California and federal
EPA emission regulations for SORE (Small Off Road Equipment)
are certified to operate on regular unleaded gasoline, and
may include the following emission control systems: Engine
Modification (EM), Oxidizing Catalyst (OC), Secondary Air
Injection (SAI) and Three Way Catalyst (TWC) if so equipped.
Spark Arrestor
WARNING: This machine is equipped with an
internal combustion engine and should not be used
on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush
covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s
exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrestor
meeting applicable local or state laws (if any).
If a spark arrestor is used, it should be maintained in effective
working order by the operator. In the State of California the
above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public
Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws
apply on federal lands.
A spark arrestor for the muffler is available through your
nearest engine authorized service dealer or contact the service
department, P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.
