General Operation - MTD 11B-439Q755 Operator's Manual

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.
i HEED ITS WARNING!
i Your Responsibility
Restrict the use
of this power machine
to personswho read.
i understand
and follow the warnings
and instructions
I.
=n this manual
and on the machine.
WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle compo-
nents contain or emit chemicals known to State of Californiato cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductiveharm.
DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this
manual. As with any type of powerequipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator
can result in serious injury. This 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.
Children
Tragicaccidentscan occur if operatoris not alert to presence
of children.Childrenare oftenattractedto mowerand mowing
activity. T heydo not understand the dangers.Neverassume
thatchildrenwill remainwhereyou lastsawthem.
1. Keepchildrenout of the mowingareaand underwatchful
careof a responsible adultotherthanthe operator.
2. Be alert andturn moweroff if a childentersthe area.
3. Beforeand whilemovingbackwards, l ook behindanddown
forsmallchildren.
4. Useextremecare when approaching blind corners,
doorways, s hrubs,trees,or otherobjectsthat may obscure
yourvisionof a child whomay run intothe mower.
5. Keepchildrenawayfrom hot or runningengines.Theycan
sufferburnsfrom a hot muffler.
6. Neverallowchildrenunder14 yearsoldto operatea power
mower.Children14 yearsoldand overshouldreadand
understandoperationinstructionsandsafetyrulesinthis
manualandshouldbe trainedandsupervisedbya parent.
General Operation
1. Readthis operator'smanualcarefullyin its 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
andotherforeignobjects, whichcould be trippedover or
picked up andthrown bythe blade.Thrownobjects can
causeseriouspersonalinjury.Plan your mowingpattern
to avoid dischargeof materialtoward roads,sidewalks,
bystandersandthe like.Also,avoid dischargingmaterial
againsta wall or obstruction,whichmay causedischarged
materialto ricochetback towardthe operator.
5. Tohelp avoid bladecontact or a thrown objectinjury,
stay inoperatorzone behindhandlesand keepchildren,
bystanders,helpersand pets at least 75 feetfrom mower
whileit is inoperation.Stop machineif anyoneenters
area.
6. Alwayswearsafetyglasses or safetygogglesduringopera-
tion andwhile performingan adjustmentor repairto protect
youreyes. Thrownobjectswhich ricochetcan causeserious
injury to the eyes.
7. Wearsturdy, rough-soledworkshoesand close-fitting
slacksandshirts. Shirtsand pantsthatcoverthe arms and
legs andsteel-toedshoesare recommended.Neveroperate
this machinein bare feet,sandals, slipperyor light-weight
(e.g. canvas)shoes.
8. Do not put hands or feet near rotatingparts or undercutting
deck. Contactwithblade 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 trippingand
thenfollowthese steps:
a. Stepback from mowerto fully extend yourarms.
b. Be sure youare well balancedwithsurefooting.
c. Pullthe mowerback slowly,no morethan half way
toward you.
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 good artificial light. Walk,never run.
17. Stopthe bladewhen crossinggraveldrives, walksor roads.
18. If the equipmentshouldstartto vibrateabnormally,stop the
engineand check immediately for the cause.Vibrationis
generallya warningof trouble.
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