Safe Operation Practices - Yard-Man 133Q694G401 Owner's Manual

IMPORTANT
SAFEOPERATION PRACTICES
THIS SYMBOL POINTSOUT IMPORTANT SAFETYINSTRUCTIONSWHICH, IF NOT FOLLOWED, C OULD ENDANGERTHE PERSON-
AL SAFETY AND/OR PROPERTY OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL
BEFORE ATTEMPTINGTO OPERATE YOUR UNIT.WHEN YOUSEETHIS SYMBOL-- _1, HEEDITS WARNING.
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I _ This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe
DANGER:
the following safety instructionscouldresult in serious injury or death.
I. GENERALOPERATION
1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manualand
on the machine before starting. Keep this manual in a safe
place for future referenceand for ordering replacement parts.
2. Only allow responsible adults familiar with the instructions to
operate the machine. Know controls and how to stop the
machine quickly.
3. Do not put hands or feet under cutting deck or near rotating
parts.
4. Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, etc. which
could be picked up and thrown by the blade. A small object
may havebeen overlooked and could be accidentally thrown by
the mower in any direction and cause injury to you or a
bystander. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields during
operation or while performing an adjustment or repair, to pro-
tect eyes from foreign objects. Stop the blade(s) when cross-
ing gravel drives, walks or roads.
5. Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing. Stop
machine if anyone enters the area.
6. Never carry passengers.
7. Disengageblade(s) before shifting into reverse and backing up.
Always look down and behind before and while backing.
8. Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge direction and
do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the mower without
either the entire grass catcher or the chute guard in place.
9. Slow down before turning. Operatethe tractor smoothly. Avoid
erratic operation and excessive speed.
10. Never leave a running machine unattended. Always turn off
blade(s), place transmission in neutral, set park brake, stop
engine and remove key before dismounting.
11. Turn off blade(s) when not mowing.
12. Stop engine and wait until blade(s) comes to a complete stop
before (a) removing grass catcher or unclogging chute, or (b)
making any repairs, adjusting or removing any grass or debris.
13. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
14. Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alco-
hol or drugs.
15. Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing roadways.
16. Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine into a
trailer or truck. This unit should not be driven up or down a
ramp onto a trailer or truck under power, because the unit
could tip over, causing serious personal injury. The unit must
be pushed manually to load or unload properly.
17. Never make a cutting height adjustment while engine is run-
ning if operator must dismount to do so.
18. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting slacks
and shirts. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or jewelry. They
can be caught in moving parts. Never operate a unit in bare
feet, sandals, or sneakers.
19. Check overheadclearance carefully before driving under power
lines, wires, bridges or low hanging tree branches, before
entering or leaving buildings, or in any other situation where
the operator may be struck or pulled from the unit, which
could result in serious injury.
20. Disengage all attachment clutches, thoroughly depress the
brake pedal, and shift into neutral before attempting to start
engine.
II. SLOPEOPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip-over
accidents which can result in severe injury or death. All slopes
require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel
uneasy on it, do not mow it.
DO:
Mow up and down slopes, not across.
Remove obstacles such as rocks, limbs, etc.
Watch for holes, ruts or bumps. Uneven terrain could overturn the
machine. Tall grasscan hide obstacles.
Use slow speed. Choose a low enough gear so that you will not
haveto stop or shift while on the slope. Always keeptractor in gear
when going down slopes to take advantage of engine braking
action.
Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for wheel weights or
counterweights to improve stability.
Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments. These can
changethe stability of the machine.
Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do not make
sudden changes in speed or direction. Rapid engagement or brak-
ing could causethe front of the machine to lift and rapidly flip over
backwards which could cause serious injury.
Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disen-
gage the blade(s) and proceed slowly straight down the slope.
For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this manual
to measure slopes before operating this unit on a sloped or hilly
area. If the slope is greater than 15° as shown on the slope gauge,
do not operate this unit on that area or serious injury could result.
DO NOT:
Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn slowly and
gradually downhill, if possible.
Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments. A wheel over
the edge or an edge caving in could cause sudden overturn.
Do notmow on wet grass. Reducedtraction could causesliding.
Do net try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the
ground.
Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes.
2
II1. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the pres-
ence of children. Children are often attracted to the machine and
the mowing activity. Neverassume that children will remain where
you last saw them.
1. Keep children out of the mowing area and in watchful care of
an adult other than the operator.
2. Bealert and turn machine off if children enter the area.
3. Before and when backing, look behind and down for small chil-
dren.
4. Never carry children. They may fall off and be seriously injured
or interfere with the safe machine operation.
5. Never allow children under 14 years old to operatethe'
machine. Children 14 years and over should only operate
machine under close parental supervision and proper instruc-
tion.
6. Use extra care when approaching blind corners, sflrubs, trees
or other objects that may obscure vision. _'.
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