Important Safe Operation Practices - MTD 520 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!
WARNING! Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
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 objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
Training
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. Keep this manual
in a safe place for future and regular reference
and for ordering replacement parts.
2. Be completely familiar with the controls and the
proper use of this machine before operating it.
3. 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 edge
lawn. Do not use it for any other purpose.
4. Never allow children under 14 years of age to
operate this machine. Children 14 and over
should read and understand the instructions
and safe operation practices in this manual and
on the machine and be trained and supervised
by an adult.
5. Only responsible individuals who are familiar
with these rules of safe operation should be
allowed to use this machine.
6. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object
injury, stay in operator zone behind handles
and keep children, bystanders, helpers and pets
at least 75 feet from lawn edger while it is in
operation. Stop machine if anyone enters area.
Preparation
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Never attempt to make any adjustments while
the engine is running, except where specifically
recommended in the operator's manual.
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CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
Safe Handling Of Gasoline:
To avoid personal injury or property damage use
extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is
extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.
Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is
spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite.
Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.
1. Use only an approved gasoline container.
2. Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a
truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always
place containers on the ground away from your
vehicle before filling.
3. Remove gas-powered equipment from the
truck or 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.
4. 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.
5. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other
sources of ignition.
6. Never fuel machine indoors because flammable
vapors will accumulate in the area.
7. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while engine
is hot or running. Allow engine to cool at least
two minutes before refueling.
8. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more
than ½ inch below bottom of filler neck to
provide for fuel expansion.
9. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
10. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and
equipment. Move machine to another area.
Wait 5 minutes before starting engine.
11. Never store the machine or fuel container near
an open flame, spark or pilot light as on a water
heater, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer or
other gas appliances.
12. To reduce fire hazard, keep lawn edger free of
grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up
oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel soaked
debris.
13. Allow a lawn edger to cool at least five (5)
minutes before storing.
Operation
1. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts.
Contact with the rotating blade can amputate
hands and feet.
2. The blade control handle is a safety device.
Never bypass its operation. Doing so, makes the
machine unsafe and may cause personal injury.
3. Never operate without blade guard, debris
shield and blade control handle in place and
working.
4. Never operate with damaged safety devices.
Failure to do so, can result in personal injury.
5. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly
ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.
6. Do not operate machine while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.
7. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause
a burn. Do not touch.
8. Never operate this machine without good
visibility or light. Always be sure of your footing
and keep a firm hold on the handles. Walk,
never run.
9. Do not operate this machine if it has been
dropped or damaged. Return machine to
your nearest authorized servicing dealer for
examination and repair.
10. Do not operate this machine with a damaged or
excessively worn cutting blade.
11. Never attempt to clear material from the blade
guard while the engine is running. Shut the
engine off, disconnect the spark plug wire
and ground against the engine to prevent
unintended starting.
12. Do not overload machine capacity by
attempting to edge at too fast of a rate.
13. Stay alert for uneven sidewalks, terrain etc.
Always push slowly over rough surfaces. Do not
use this machine on gravel surfaces.
14. Do not operate machine in rain or wet soil
conditions.
15. Always operate machine from behind the
handles and position yourself where the direct
line of sight to cutting blade is blocked by
guards.
16. Always stop engine when edging or trimming
is delayed or when transporting machine from
one location to another.
17. Never leave a running machine unattended.
Stop the engine, disconnect spark plug wire
and ground against the engine to prevent
unintended starting.
18. Only use parts and accessories made for this
machine by the manufacturer. Failure to do so
can result in personal injury.
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