MTD 070 Series Operator's Manual page 4

iil / i¸¸i :/ (:
WARNING
This symbol points
out importantsafety
instructionswhich, if
not followed,could
endangerthe personal
i safety and/or property
I ofyourselfand others.
Read and follow all
instructionsin this
manual beforeat-
temptingto operate
i this machine. Failure
I to complywith these
instructionsmay result
i in personalinjury.When
you see this symbol.
HEED iTS WARNING!
i Your Responsibility
i Restrict the use
i of this powermachine
to persons who read,
understand
and follow the warnings
and instructions
, in this manual
I and on the machine.
WARNING:EngineExhaust,someof its constituents,and certainvehiclecomponentscontainor
emit chemicalsknownto Stateof Californiato causecancerand birthdefectsor otherreproduc-
tive harm.
DANGER:This machinewas builtto be operatedaccordingto the rulesfor safeoperationin this manual.As with
anytype of powerequipment,carelessness or erroron the partof the operatorcan result in seriousinjury.This
machineis capableof amputatinghandsand feet and throwingobjects.Failureto observethe followingsafety
instructionscould resultin seriousinjuryor death.
General Operation
1. Readthis operator'smanual carefully inits entiretybefore
attemptingto assemblethis machine.Read,understand,
andfollowall instructionson the machineandin the
manual(s) beforeoperation.Be completelyfamiliar with
the controls andthe proper useof this machinebefore
operatingit. Keepthis manualin a safe place forfuture
and regularreferenceand for orderingreplacementparts.
2. This machineis a precision pieceof powerequipment,
not a plaything.Therefore,exerciseextremecautionat all
times.Yourunit has beendesignedto performonejob: to
mowgrass. Do not use it for any otherpurpose.
3. Neverallow childrenunder 14yearsold to operatethis
machine.Children 14yearsold and overshould readand
understandthe instructionsinthis manualandshould
be trainedand supervisedby a parent.Onlyresponsible
individualswho arefamiliar withthese rulesof safe
operationshould be allowedto usethis machine.
4. Thoroughlyinspectthe area wherethe equipmentis to
be used. Removeall stones,sticks,wire, bones,toys and
otherforeignobjectswhichcould be tripped overor picked
up andthrown by the blade.Thrownobjectscan cause
seriouspersonalinjury.Plan yourmowingpatternto avoid
dischargeof materialtoward roads,sidewalks,bystanders
andthe like.Also, avoiddischargingmaterialagainsta
wall or obstructionwhich may causedischargedmaterial
to ricochet backtoward the operator.
5. Tohelp avoid bladecontact or a thrown objectinjury,
stay inthe operatorzonebehindthe handlesand keep
children,bystanders,helpersand pets at least 75 feet
fromthe mower whileit is in operation.Stop machineif
anyoneentersthe area.
6. Alwayswearsafetyglasses or safetygogglesduring
operationand whileperformingan adjustmentor repair
to protectyour eyes.Thrownobjectswhich ricochetcan
causeseriousinjury to the eyes.
7. Wearsturdy, rough-soledworkshoesand close-fitting
slacksandshirts. Shirtsand pantsthatcoverthe arms
and legsand steel-toedshoesare recommended.Never
operatethis machinein barefeet, sandals,slipperyor light
weight (e.g.canvas) shoes.
8. Do not put hands or feet near rotatingparts or underthe
cuttingdeck. Contactwiththe blade can amputatehands
andfeet.
9. A missingor damageddischargecovercan cause blade
contactor thrownobject injuries.
10. Manyinjuriesoccuras a resultof the mowerbeing pulled
overthe foot duringa fall causedby slippingor tripping.
Do not hold on to the mower if you are falling; releasethe
handle immediately.
11. Neverpullthe mowerback towardyou whileyou are
walking.If you must backthe mowerawayfrom a wall or
obstructionfirst look down and behindto avoid tripping
andthen followthese steps:
a. Stepback from the mowerto fullyextend yourarms.
b. Be sureyou are well balancedwithsure footing.
c. Pullthe mowerback slowly,no morethan half way
towardyou.
d. Repeatthesesteps as needed.
12. Do not operatethe mowerwhileunderthe influenceof
alcoholor drugs.
13. Do not engagethe self-propelledmechanismon unitsso
equippedwhilestartingengine.
14. The bladecontrol handle is a safetydevice.Neverattempt
to bypassits operation.Doingso makesthe safetydevice
inoperativeandmay result in personalinjurythrough
contactwiththe rotatingblade. The bladecontrol handle
mustoperateeasily in bothdirectionsandautomatically
returnto the disengagedpositionwhen released.
15. Neveroperate the mowerinwet grass. Alwaysbe sure of
yourfooting. A slip and fall can causeseriouspersonal
injury.If you feel you are losing yourfooting,releasethe
bladecontrol handle immediately and the bladewill stop
rotatingwithinthreeseconds.
16. Mowonly in daylightor in goodartificial light.Walk, never
run. Stopthe bladewhen crossinggraveldrives,walks or
roads.
17. If the equipmentshouldstartto vibrateabnormally,stop the
engineand check immediately for the cause.Vibrationis
generallya warningof trouble.
18. Shutthe engineoff andwait untilthe bladecomesto
a completestop beforeremovingthe grass catcheror
uncloggingthe chute.The cutting bladecontinuesto rotate
fora few secondsafter the engine is shut off. Neverplace
any part of the bodyin the bladearea untilyou aresure the
blade hasstoppedrotating.
19. Neveroperate mowerwithoutproper trail shield, discharge
cover,grasscatcher,bladecontrol handleor othersafety
protectivedevices in place andworking. Neveroperate
mowerwithdamagedsafetydevices.Failureto do so, can
result inpersonalinjury.
20. Mufflerandengine becomehot and can causea burn.Do
not touch.
21. Only use partsand accessoriesmadefor this machineby
the manufacturer.Failureto do socan resultin personal
injury.
22. If situationsoccurwhich are not coveredin this manual,use
careand good judgment. Call customerassistancefor the
name of yournearestservicingdealer.
Slope Operation
Slopesare a majorfactor relatedto slip andfall accidentswhich
can result insevere injury.Operationon slopes requiresextra
caution. Ifyou feel uneasyon a slope,do not mow it. For your
safety,usethe slope gaugeincludedas part of this manualto
measureslopes beforeoperatingthis unit on a slopedor hilly
area.If the slope is greaterthan 15degrees, do not mowit.
4