Safe Operation Practices - Troy-Bilt TB 510 SERIES Operator's Manual

Important Safe Operation Practices
WARNING! This symbol points
out important safety instructions
which, if not followed, could
endanger the personal safety
and/or property of yourself and
others. Read and follow all instructions in this
manual before attempting to operate this
machine. Failure to comply with these
instructions may result in personal injury.
When you see this symbol.
HEED ITS WARNING!
DANGER: This machine was
built to be operated according
to the safe operation practices in
this manual. As with any type of
power equipment, carelessness
or error on the part of the operator can result
in serious injury. This machine is capable of
amputating fingers, hands, toes and feet and
throwing foreign objects. Failure to observe
the following safety instructions could result in
serious injury or death.
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
WARNING!
product contains a chemical
known to the state of
California to cause cancer,
birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
Operation
General Operation:
1. Read this operator's manual carefully
in its entirety before attempting
to assemble this machine. Read,
understand, and follow all instructions
on the machine and in the manual(s)
before operation. Be completely familiar
with the controls and the proper use of
this machine before operating it. Keep
this manual and supplement in a safe
place for future and regular reference
and for ordering replacement parts.
2. This machine is a precision piece of
power equipment, not a plaything.
Therefore, exercise extreme caution
at all times. Your machine has been
designed to perform one job: to mow
grass. Do not use it for any other
purpose.
3. Do not overload the lawn mower — it
will do the job better and safer at the
rate for which it was designed.
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4. Never allow children under 14 years
old to operate this machine. Children
14 years old and over should read and
understand the instructions in this
manual and should be trained and
supervised by a parent. Only responsible
individuals who are familiar with these
rules of safe operation should be
allowed to use this machine.
5. Thoroughly inspect the area where
the equipment is to be used. Remove
all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and
other foreign objects which could be
tripped over or picked up and thrown
by the blade. Thrown objects can
cause serious personal injury. Plan your
mowing pattern to avoid discharge
of material toward roads, sidewalks,
bystanders and the like. Also, avoid
discharging material against a wall or
obstruction which may cause discharged
material to ricochet back toward the
operator.
6. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown
object injury, stay in operator zone
behind handles and keep children,
This bystanders and pets out of the area
while mower is in operation. Stop
machine if anyone enters area.
7. Always wear safety glasses or safety
goggles during operation and while
performing an adjustment or repair to
protect your eyes. Thrown objects which
ricochet can cause serious injury to the
eyes.
8. Always use a face or dust mask if
operation is dusty.
9. 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.
Never operate this machine in bare feet,
sandals, slippery or light weight (e.g.
canvas) shoes.
10. Do not put hands or feet near rotating
parts or under cutting deck. Contact
with blade can amputate hands and feet.
11. A missing or damaged discharge cover
can cause blade contact or thrown
object injuries.
12. Many injuries occur as a result of the
mower being pulled over the foot during
a fall caused by slipping or tripping.
Do not hold on to the mower if you are
falling; release the handle immediately.
13. Never pull the mower back toward
you while you are walking. If you must
back the mower away from a wall or
obstruction first look down and behind
to avoid tripping and then follow these
steps:
a. Step back from 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.
13. Do not operate the mower while under
the influence of alcohol or drugs.
14. Stay alert — Watch what you are doing.
Use common sense. Do not operate lawn
mower when you are tired.
15. The blade control is a safety device.
Never attempt to bypass its operation.
Doing so makes the safety device
inoperative and may result in personal
injury through contact with the
rotating blade. The blade control must
operate easily in both directions and
automatically return to the disengaged
position when released.
16. Never operate the mower in rain or wet
grass. Always be sure of your footing. A
slip and fall can cause serious personal
injury. If you feel you are losing your
footing, release the blade control
immediately and the blade will stop
rotating within three seconds.
17. Mow only in daylight or good artificial
light. Walk, never run.
18. Stop the motor when crossing gravel
drives, walks or roads.
19. If the equipment should start to vibrate
abnormally, stop the mower and check
immediately for the cause. Vibration is
generally a warning of trouble.
20. Shut the mower off and wait until
the blade comes to a complete stop
before removing the grass catcher
or unclogging the chute. The cutting
blade will stop rotating within three (3)
seconds. Never place any part of the
body in the blade area until you are sure
the blade has stopped rotating.
21. Never operate mower without proper
trail shield, discharge cover, grass
catcher, blade control or other safety
protective devices in place and working.
Never operate mower with damaged
safety devices. Failure to do so, can
result in personal injury.
22. Only use parts and accessories made for
this machine by manufacturer. Failure to
do so can result in personal injury.
23. If situations occur which are not covered
in this manual, use care and good
judgment. Telephone Customer Support
for the name of your nearest dealer.
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