Safety; General Lawn Mower Safety - Toro Recycler 20826 Operator's Manual

DANGER signals an extreme hazard that will cause
serious injury or death if you do not follow the
recommended precautions.
WARNING signals a hazard that may cause serious injury
or death if you do not follow the recommended
precautions.
CAUTION signals a hazard that may cause minor or
moderate injury if you do not follow the recommended
precautions.
This manual uses two other words to highlight
information. Important calls attention to special
mechanical information and Note emphasizes general
information worthy of special attention.

Safety

Toro designed this lawn mower for cutting and recycling
grass, or, when equipped with a grass bag, for catching cut
grass. Any use for purposes other than these could prove
dangerous to the operator or to bystanders.
To ensure maximum safety, best performance, and to
gain knowledge of the product, it is essential that you
and any other operator of the lawn mower read and
understand the contents of this manual before the
motor is ever started. Pay particular attention to the
safety alert symbol which means CAUTION,
WARNING, OR DANGER — "personal safety
instruction." Read and understand the instruction
because it has to do with safety. Failure to comply with
instruction may result in personal injury.

General Lawn Mower Safety

The following instructions have been adapted from the
ANSI/OPEI standard B71.1—1998 and ISO standard
5395:1990(E). Information or terminology specific to
Toro lawn mowers is enclosed in parenthesis.
This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and
feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following
safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
Training
Read the instructions carefully. Be familiar with the
controls and the proper use of the equipment before
starting.
See manufacturer's instructions for proper operation
and installation of accessories. Only use accessories
approved by the manufacturer.
Never allow children or people unfamiliar with these
instructions to use the mower. Local regulations may
restrict the age of the operator.
Never mow while people, especially children, or pets
are nearby. Stop mower if anyone enters the area.
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to
the presence of children. Children are often attracted to
the mower and the mowing activity. Never assume that
children will remain where you last saw them.
Keep children out of the mowing area and under the
watchful care of a responsible adult.
Be alert and turn mower off if children enter the area.
Use extra care when approaching blind corners,
shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.
Keep in mind that the operator or user is responsible
for accidents or hazards occurring to other people or
their property.
Preparation
While mowing, always wear substantial footwear and
long trousers.
Do not operate the equipment when barefoot or
wearing open sandals.
Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side
shields when operating mower.
Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to
be used and remove all stones, sticks, wires, bones,
and other foreign objects.
Warning: Gasoline is highly flammable. Take the
following precautions:
– Store fuel in containers specifically designed for
this purpose.
– Refuel outdoors only and do not smoke while
refuelling.
– Add fuel before starting the engine. Never remove
the cap of the fuel tank or add gasoline while the
engine is running or when the engine is hot.
– If gasoline is spilled, 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 gasoline vapors have dissipated.
– Replace all fuel tank and container caps securely.
– If the fuel tank has to be drained, do this outdoors.
Replace faulty mufflers.
Before using, always visually inspect to see that the
blades, blade bolts, and cutter assembly are not worn
or damaged. Replace worn or damaged blades and
bolts in sets to preserve balance.
On multibladed machines, take care as rotating one
blade can cause other blades to rotate.
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