Safe Operation Practices - Troy-Bilt Snow Thrower Operator's Manual

2
Safe
Operation
Practices
WARNING
This symbol points
out important safety
instructions which,
if not followed, could
endanger the per-
sonal 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!
Your Responsibility
Restrict the use
of this power machine
to persons who read,
understand
and follow the warnings
and instructions
in 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 California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
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 hands and feet and throwing objects.
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 old to operate this
machine. Children 14 years old 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. Thrown objects can cause serious personal injury. Plan your
snow-throwing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward
roads, bystanders and the like.
6. Keep bystanders, helpers, pets and children at least 75 feet
from the machine while it is in operation. Stop machine if
anyone enters the area.
7. Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling, especially when
operating in reverse.
Preparation
Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be used.
Remove all doormats, newspapers, sleds, boards, wires and
other foreign objects, which could be tripped over or thrown by
the auger/impeller.
1. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields during operation
and while performing an adjustment or repair to protect your
eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can cause serious injury
to the eyes.
2. Do not operate without wearing adequate winter outer
garments. Do not wear jewelry, long scarves or other loose
clothing, which could become entangled in moving parts.
Wear footwear which will improve footing on slippery
surfaces.
3. Use a grounded three-wire extension cord and receptacle for
all units with electric start engines.
4. Adjust collector housing height to clear gravel or crushed rock
surfaces.
5. Disengage all control levers before starting the engine.
6. Never attempt to make any adjustments while engine is
running, except where specifically recommended in the
operator's manual.
7. Let engine and machine adjust to outdoor temperature before
starting to clear snow.
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.
a. Use only an approved gasoline container.
b. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of
ignition.
c. Never fuel machine indoors.
d. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is hot or
running.
e. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.
f. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½ inch
below bottom of filler neck to provide space for fuel expan-
sion.
g. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
h. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment.
Move machine to another area. Wait 5 minutes before
starting the engine.
i. Never store the machine or fuel container inside where
there is an open flame, spark or pilot light (e.g. furnace,
water heater, space heater, clothes dryer etc.).
j. Allow machine to cool at least 5 minutes before storing
k. 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.
l. If possible, 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.
m. 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.
Operation
1. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts, in the auger/impel-
ler housing or chute assembly. Contact with the rotating parts
can amputate hands and feet.
2. The auger/impeller control lever is a safety device. Never
bypass its operation. Doing so makes the machine unsafe and
may cause personal injury.
3. The control levers must operate easily in both directions and
automatically return to the disengaged position when released.
4. Never operate with a missing or damaged chute assembly.
Keep all safety devices in place and working.
5. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and
deadly gas.
6. Do not operate machine while under the influence of alcohol or
drugs.
7. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not
touch.
4