Safe Operation Practices - Cub Cadet FT24 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.
WARNING! Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
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. Failure to
observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
Training
1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions
on the machine and in the manual(s) before
attempting to assemble and operate.
Keep this manual in a safe place for future
and regular reference and for ordering
replacement parts.
2. Be familiar with all controls and their proper
operation. Know how to stop the machine
and disengage them quickly.
3. 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.
4. Never allow adults to operate this machine
without proper instruction.
5. Keep the area of operation clear of all
persons, particularly small children and pets.
Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
Preparation
1. Thoroughly inspect the area where the
equipment is to be used. Remove all stones,
sticks, wire, and other foreign objects which
could be tripped over and cause personal
injury.
2. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and
close fitting slacks and shirt. Loose fitting
clothes or jewelry can be caught in moving
parts. Never operate this machine in bare feet
or sandals.
3. Disengage clutch levers and shift (if provided)
into neutral ("N") before starting the engine.
4. Never leave this machine unattended with
the engine running.
5. Never attempt to make any adjustments
while engine is running, except where
specifically recommended in the operator's
manual.
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.
• Use only an approved gasoline
container.
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
• 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.
• When practical, 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.
• 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.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes
and other sources of ignition.
• Never fuel machine indoors.
• Never remove gas cap or add fuel
while the engine is hot or running.
Allow engine to cool at least two
minutes before refueling.
• Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to
no more than ½ inch below bottom
of filler neck to allow space for fuel
expansion.
• Replace gasoline cap and tighten
securely.
• If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the
engine and equipment. Move unit to
another area. Wait 5 minutes before
starting the engine.
• To reduce fire hazards, keep machine
free of grass, leaves, or other debris
build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage
and remove any fuel soaked debris.
• Never store the machine or fuel
container inside where there is an
open flame, spark or pilot light as on
a water heater, space heater, furnace,
clothes dryer or other gas appliances.
Operation
1. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts.
Contact with the rotating parts can amputate
hands and feet.
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. For extended use of this product, hearing
protection is required.
4. Do not operate machine while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.
5. Never operate this machine without good
visibility or light. Always be sure of your
footing and keep a firm hold on the handles.
6. Keep bystanders away from the machine
while it is in operation. Stop the machine if
anyone enters the area.
7. Be careful when tilling in hard ground. The
tines may catch in the ground and propel
the tiller forward. If this occurs, let go of the
handle bars and do not restrain the machine.
8. Exercise extreme caution when operating
on or crossing gravel surfaces. Stay alert
for hidden hazards or traffic. Do not carry
passengers.
9. Never operate the machine at high transport
speeds on hard or slippery surfaces.
10. Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling.
11. Look down and behind and use care when in
reverse or pulling machine towards you.
12. Start the engine according to the instructions
found in this manual and keep feet well away
from the tines at all times.
13. After striking a foreign object, stop the
engine, disconnect the spark plug wire and
ground against the engine. Thoroughly
inspect the machine for any damage. Repair
the damage before starting and operating.
14. Disengage all clutch levers (if fitted) and
stop engine before you leave the operating
position (behind the handles). Wait
until the tines come to a complete stop
before unclogging the tines, making any
adjustments, or inspections.
15. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly
ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly
gas.
16. Muffler and engine become hot and can
cause a burn. Do not touch.
17. Use caution when tilling near fences,
buildings and underground utilities. Rotating
tines can cause property damage or personal
injury.
18. Do not overload machine capacity by
attempting to till soil too deep at too fast of
a rate.
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