MTD 250 Operator's Manual page 4

Safe
Dperation
Practices
WARNING
This symbol points
out importantsafety
instructions which, if
not followed, could
endanger the personal
safety and/or property
of yourselfand others.
Read and follow aH
instructions in this man-
ual
before attempting to
operate this machine.
Failureto complywith
these instructions
may result in personal
injury. When you see
this symbol,HEED ITS
WARNING!
-y
,__ WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle compo-
nents contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
,J
DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation 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 hands and feet and throwing objects.
Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injuryor death.
Training
I. Read,understand, a ndfollowall instructionsonthe machine
andinthe manua!(s)beforeattemptingto assembleand
operate Keepthismanualina safeplace forfutureand
regularreference andfororderingreplacement p arts
2 Be familiarwithall controtsandtheirproper o perationKnow
howto stopthe machine
3. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldto operatethis
machineChildren14yearsoldandovershouldread and
understand the operationinstructionsandsafetyrulesin
this manual a ndshouldbe trainedandsupervised by a
parent
4, Neverallowadultsto operate thismachinewithoutproper
instruction
5 Keepbystanders, h elpers, p ets andchildrenat least75 feet
fromthe machinewhileitisin operation Stopmachineif
anyoneentersthe area
Preparation
I Thoroughly inspectthe areawherethe equipment is tobe
used Remove all stones,sticks,wire, andotherforeign
objectswhichcould betrippedoverandcausepersonal
injury
2 Wearsturdy,rough-soled work shoesandclosefitting
slacksandshirt Loosefitting clothesorjewelry can be
caughtinmovableparts Neveroperateth;s machineinbare
feetor sandals
3 Disengage clutchleversandshift (if provided)intoneutral
('N") beforestartingthe engine
4 Neverleave this machineunattended withthe engine
running.
5. Neverattemptto makeanyadjustments whileengine is
running,exceptwherespecificallyrecommended inthe
operator'smanual
6 Toavoidpersonalinjury or propertydamage use extreme
careinhandlinggasoline Gasolineis extremely f lammable
andthe vaporsareexplosive. S eriouspersonal i njury can
occurwhen gasolineisspilIed onyourselfor yourctothes
whichcan ignite Washyourskinandchangeclothes
immediately.
7. Useonlyanapprovedgasoline container
8. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipes andothersourcesof
ignition
9 Neverfuel machineindoors.
10.Neverremove gas capor addfuelwhiletheengine is hot or
running
11.Allowengineto cool atleasttwominutesbeforerefueling
12.Neveroverfi!l fuel tank Filltank tono morethan1,_ inch
belowbottomof filler neckto provide s paceforfuel
expansion.
13. Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely
14. ff gasolineisspilIed,wipeil off the engineand
equipmentMovemachineto anotherarea Wait5
minutesbeforestartingthe engine
15. Neverstorethe machineor fuel conlainerinside nearan
openflame,sparkor pilotlight(e g furnace, w ateror
spaceheater,clothesdryer,etc )
16 Allowmachineto cool5 minutesbeforestoring
Operation
1. Donotputhandsor feetnear rolatingpartsContactwith
therotatingpartscan amputatehandsandfeet
2. Donotoperatemachinewhi_e u nderthe influenceof alcohol
or drugs
3. Neveroperatethis machinewithout g oodvisibilityor tight
AMaysbe sureofyourfootingandkeepa firmholdon the
handles.
4 Keepbystanders, h elpers,pets,andchiIdrenat least75 feet
from the machinewhite it isin operationStopthe machineif
anyoneentersthe area
5. Becareful w hentillingin hardground Thetines maycatch
in the groundandpropelthetillerforward.If thisoccurs,let
go of the handlebarsanddo not restrain themachine
6 Exercise extremecautionwhenoperatingon or crossing
gravelsurfacesStayalertfor hiddenhazardsor traffic.
7 Neveroperatethe machineathigh transportspeedsonhard
or slipperysurfaces
8 Exercise cautionto avoidslippingor failing
9 Lookdownandbehindanduse carewheninreverseor
pulling machinetowards y ou
10.Start the engineaccording tothe instructionsfoundinthis
manua}andkeepfeetwellawayfromthetines at all times.
tl. After strikinga foreignobject,stoptheengine, d isconnect
the sparkplugwire andgroundagainstthe engine
Thoroughly inspectthe machinefor anydamage Repairthe
damagebeforestartingandoperating
i2. Disengageall clutchlevers(if fitted)andstop enginebefore
you leavethe operatingposition ( behind the handles).Wait
untilthetines cometo a completestop beforeunclogging
the tines,makinganyadjustments, o r inspections
13 Neverrunan engineindoors or ina poorlyventilated area
Engineexhaust c ontainscarbonmonoxide, a n odorlessand
deadlygas.
I4. Mufflerandenginebecomehot andcancausea burn Do
not touch
t5 Usecautionwhentillingnearfences,buildingsand
underground utilities.Rolatingtinescancauseproperty
damageor personal injury
4