Atco MP2 504 Series Operator's Manual page 31

• Never allow children or persons unfamiliar with
these instructions to use the machine. Local
regulations may restrict the age of the operator.
• Never use the machine if the user is tired
or unwell, or has taken medicine, drugs,
alcohol or any substances which may slow his
reflexes and compromise his judgement.
• Do not allow children or other passengers
to ride on the machine.
• Bear in mind that the operator or user is responsible
for accidents or unexpected events occurring to other
people or their property. It is the user's responsibility to
assess the potential risk of the area where work is to be
carried out and to take all the necessary precautions
to ensure his own safety and that of others, particularly
on slopes or rough, slippery and unstable ground.
• If the machine is sold or lent to others,
make sure that the operator reads the user
instructions contained in this manual.
2.2 PRELIMINARY PROCEDURES
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Always wear suitable work attire, hard-wearing safety
footwear with non-slip soles and long trousers. Do
not operate the machine when barefoot or wearing
open sandals. Wear hearing protection devices.
• Use of hearing protections can reduce the ability to
hear any warnings (shouting or alarms). Be careful
of what occurs around you in the work area.
• Wear protective gloves whenever your hands are at risk.
• Never wear scarves, shirts, necklaces, bracelets,
loose flowing clothing, laces or ties or any hanging or
flapping accessory that could catch in the machine
or in any objects or materials in the work area.
• Tie your hair back if it is long.
Work area/Machine
• Thoroughly inspect the entire work area and
remove anything that could be thrown by the
machine or damage the cutting means/rotating
units (stones, branches, iron wire, bones, etc.).
Internal combustion engines: fuel
DANGER! The fuel is highly flammable.
• Keep the fuel in approved containers, in a safe place,
away from any naked lights or heat sources.
• Keep the containers free of grass cuttings,
leaves, or excessive grease.
• Keep the containers out of the reach of children.
• Do not smoke when filling up with fuel
or when handling the fuel.
• Use a funnel to top up with fuel only in the open air.
• Do not inhale fuel fumes.
• Never remove the tank cap or add fuel while the
engine is running or when the engine is hot.
• Open the fuel tank slowly to allow the
pressure inside to decrease gradually.
• Do not approach the tank opening with a
naked flame to check its contents.
• if you have spilled some fuel, do not attempt to
start the engine but move the machine away
from the area of spillage and avoid creating any
source of ignition until the fuel has evaporated
and fuel vapours have dissipated.
• Immediately clean up all traces of fuel spilt
on the machine or on the ground.
• Replace caps of all fuel tanks and containers securely.
• Never start the machine in the same place in which
you refilled it with fuel; the engine must be started in
an area at least 3 metres from where you refuelled.
• If fuel is spilt on clothing, change clothing
before starting the engine.
2.3 DURING OPERATION
Work Area
• Do not operate the engine in a confined space
where dangerous carbon monoxide fumes
can develop. All starting operations have to be
effected in an open or well ventilated area! Always
remember that exhaust gases are toxic!
• When starting up the machine, do not direct
the silencer and therefore the exhaust
fumes towards flammable materials.
• Do not use the machine in environments at risk
of explosion, in the presence of flammable
liquids, gas or powder. Power tools create
sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
• Work only in daylight or with good artificial
light in good visibility conditions.
• Keep persons, children and animals away
from the working area. Get another adult to
keep the children under supervision.
• Avoid working with wet grass, in the rain and when
there is a risk of a thunderstorm, especially lightening.
• Pay careful attention to uneven ground
(hills, dips), slopes, hidden hazards and
obstacles that could limit visibility.
• Be very careful near ravines, ditches or embankments.
The machine could overturn if a wheel slides
over the edge or if the earth gives way.
• Always mow across a slope and never up and down
it, being very careful when changing direction,
making sure you have firm footage and that the
wheels do not hit any obstacles (such as stones,
branches, roots, etc.) that may cause the machine
to slide sideways or make you lose control of it.
• Look out for traffic when using the
machine near the road.
• To avoid the risk of fire, do not leave the
machine with the engine hot on leaves, dry
grass or other flammable materials.
Behaviour
• Exercise caution when reversing or moving backwards.
Look behind you to make sure there are no obstacles
before and during operations in reverse gear.
• Never run, always walk.
• Do not allow the lawnmower to pull you along.
• Always keep hands and feet away from the cutting
means, when starting and when using the machine.
• Attention: the cutting means will continue to
rotate for a few seconds after disengagement
or after you have switched off the engine.
• Keep away from the discharge opening.
• Do not touch the engine parts as they get
very hot when running. Danger of burns.
If something breaks or an accident occurs during
mowing, turn off the engine immediately and move the
machine away to prevent further damage; if an accident
occurs with injuries or third parties are injured, carry
out the first aid measures most suitable for the situa-
EN - 2