Murray 20408x34A Instruction Manual page 6

injured because they "forgot" and reached into
the discharge chute. Always treat your lawn
mower as if the blade is rotating. Never perform
any service or try to make any
adjustment,except carburetor, while the engine
is running.
Use only accessories suited for your mower.
Use of improper accessories can reduce the
safety designed into both the mower and the
accessory, it can even damage the unit. Read
and follow the instructions which come with the
accessory and the mower.
Use only original equipment or approved
substitutions as service parts. If you need
professional service, select a shop that is an
Authorized Service Center for your brand of
mower. If you plan to service the unit yourself,
follow directions in the Instruction Book.
As you mow, remember children and pets are
sometimes attracted to the activity. Be especially
careful when trimming around shrubbery or
when backing up. If at all possible, don't mow
when moving backwards. It is dangerous
because vision is restricted. Also, blades are
designed to cut while the unit is moving forward
so cutting performance is reduced when mowing
in reverse.
Never leave the mower running and unattended.
Shut off the engine. Put the mower in a position
so that it can not roll. If the unit is self–propelled,
make sure the drive control is disengaged.
When mowing, be aware of your condition and
the weather conditions. After mowing a long
time, you will be tired. This is the time when
reactions slow down, your attention wanders;
the time when you are wide open for an
F–99415
accident. Take a short break. If temperatures are
high, take precautions to avoid becoming
dehydrated. If you are angry, tired, or unable to
give your full attention to mowing, if you have
been consuming alcohol, medicines, or drugs,
do not use your mower or any type of power
equipment.
If weather conditions become worse while you
are cutting, stop and finish later. Cutting grass in
the rain is no fun and it is dangerous. Always
seek shelter in an electrical storm. In extremely
dry mowing conditions, your safety glasses can
serve a dual purpose by protecting your eyes
from dust and thrown objects, also a dust or
pollen mask can be helpful.
Your mower is equipped with a number of safety
features which are important to the safety of the
operator and bystanders and must never be
altered or removed. If a safety feature becomes
inoperable, lost, or damaged, it must be repaired
or replaced before the mower is used.
Engine speed is a key to safe mowing and a
nice looking lawn. The maximum speed of the
engine on your mower has been set at the
factory. Do not change the engine governor in
any way.
Select the maximum engine and ground speed
that is right for the terrain and the height of
grass. You get the best cutting and bagging
performance when using a grass catcher by
operating the engine at maximum speed. Never
walk fast or run just to get the job done sooner.
On inclines, reduce ground speed and exercise
extreme care.
It is best to mow only during daylight hours;
however, if you must mow in the late afternoon
or evening, make sure there is good artificial
light.
Your mower will require maintenance including
service and adjustments before and after use as
with any machine. The frequency of the
maintenance is generally based on hours of use,
however, the frequency can vary because of
mowing conditions. Check the Instruction Book
for more detailed instructions. Proper
maintenance protects your investment in the
mower and helps insure that it will function
safely and reliably.
Never attempt any
service (with the
possible exception of
carburetor adjustment)
with the engine running.
After turning the engine
off, always disconnect
the spark plug wire to
prevent accidental
restarting while the unit
is being serviced.
While mowing, if you hit a foreign object, stop
the engine. Remove the spark plug wire.
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Carefully and thoroughly inspect the mower for
damage. Make necessary repairs before
restarting. If the unit starts to vibrate abnormally,
stop the engine immediately and check for the
cause. Vibration is generally a warning of
trouble. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight.
The blade is the most dangerous part of the
mower and also the most important part in
obtaining a nice lawn appearance. Check the
blade and the blade mounting hardware
frequently. Keep it tight. If the blade hits a solid
object, check it thoroughly for deformation or
cracks and replace if damaged. For
safety,replace the blade every two years. A
sharp blade reduces the work load on the
engine and cuts grass more cleanly, for a better
looking cut with less work. The blade is always
close to the outside of the mower housing. For
best trimming on side discharge mowers, cut
with the left side of the housing toward the area
that needs trimming.
A useful accessory for your mower is a grass
catcher. There are grass catchers available for
most models. For best performance and safety,
be sure the grass catcher is approved for use
with your mower. Assemble as directed and
follow operating and safety instructions with the
catcher and in the Instruction Book.
Before mounting, checking or emptying the
grass catcher, always turn the engine off.
Remember to check the grass catcher before
each use for cracks, wear, or deterioration.
Replace any part that is damaged with the
manufacturer's recommended replacement part
before using the grass catcher again.
Proper cutting technique is important if you want
your lawn to look good. Avoid the temptation to
cut grass too short. Cutting grass too short can
kill the plant, cause grass to turn yellow, or make
the lawn look brown and thatchy. Use the lower
cutting heights in cool months when the grass is
lush. Use the higher cutting heights in extremely
dry periods. Cutting with a dull blade or low
engine speed bruises, shreds, and can uproot
some grass making the lawn look dull and brown
a few days after cutting. Always put the throttle
control in FAST position when mowing and
bagging. When bagging, slower ground speed
will provide the best results.
Change the mowing pattern slightly each time
you cut. If you always cut the same way, the
grass will develop a "set" and clippings will
accumulate more heavily in some areas more
than in others causing grass to get thinner in
those areas. Do not service your mower over the
grass. Spilled oil and gas can kill the grass. In
tall grass or very heavy grass, do not try to cut it
all at once. Raise the height of cut on the first
cutting and lower it for the next cutting the same
day or within a few days. Another way is to cut
only part of the width of the mower and adjust
your ground speed (not the engine) to move