V. SERVICE
SAFE
HANDLING
OF GASOLINE
To avoid
personal
injury
or property
dam-
age, use extreme
care in handling
gasoline.
Gasoline
is extremely
flammable
and the
vapors
are explosive.
•
Extinguish
all cigarettes,
cigars,
pipes,
and other
sources
of ignition.
•
Use only approved
gasoline
container.
•
Never
remove
gas cap or add fuel with
the engine
running.
•
Allow
engine
to cool before
refueling.
•
Never fuel the machine
indoors.
•
Neverstorethe
machine
orfuel
container
where
there
is an open flame,
spark,
or
pilot
light such as on a water
heater
or
other
appliances.
•
Never
fill containers
inside
a vehicle
or
on a truck or trailer
bed with plastic
liner.
Always
place
containers
on the ground
away from your vehicle
when
filling.
•
Remove
gas-powered
equipment
from
the truck
or trailer
and refuel
it on the
ground.
If this is not possible,
then refuel
such equipment
with a portable
container,
rather
than
from
a gasoline
dispenser
nozzle.
•
Keep the nozzle
in contact
with the rim
of the fuel tank or container
opening
at
all times
until fueling
is complete.
Do not
use a nozzle
lock-open
device.
•
Iffuelis
spilled
on clothing,
change
cloth-
ing immediately.
•
Never overfill
fuel tank. Replace
gas cap
and tighten
securely.
GENERALSERVICE
•
Never operate
machine
in a closed
area.
•
Keepall
nutsand
boltstighttoensurethe
equipment
is in safe working
condition.
•
Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.
Never
interfere
with the intended
function
of a
safety
device
or reduce
the protection
provided
by a safety device.
Checkthere
proper operation
regularly.
NEVER
oper-
ate a machine
with a safety
device
that
does not function
properly.
•
Keep
machine
free
of grass,
leaves,
or
other
debris
build-up.
Clean
oil or fuel
spillage
and
remove
any
fue!-soaked
debris.
Allow
machine
to cool
before
storing.
•
If you
strike
a foreign
object,
stop
and
inspectthe
machine.
Repair, if necessary,
before
restarting.
•
Never
make any adjustments
or repairs
with the engine
running.
•
Checkgrasscatchercomponentsandthe
discharge
chute
frequently
and replace
with manufacturer's
recommended
parts,
when
necessary.
•
Mower blades
are sharp.
Wrapthe
blade
or wear gloves,
and use extreme
caution
when
servicing
them.
•
Check brake operation
frequently.
Adjust
and service
as required.
•
Maintain
orreplace
safetyand
instruction
labels,
as necessary.
Use ear protectors
to avoid damage
to hearing.
Always wear eye protection when operating machine.
5