Important Safe Operation Practices - MTD 18A-212B Operator's Manual

ImportantSafeOperation Practices
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WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed,
could endanger the personal 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!
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 injury or death.
Children
Tragic accidents can occur if operator is not alert to presence
of children. Children are often attracted to mower and mowing
activity. They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that
children will remain where you last saw them.
Keep children out of the mowing area and under watchful
care of a responsible adult other than the operator.
Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the area.
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Before and while moving backwards, look behind and
down for small children.
Use extreme care when approaching blind corners,
doorways, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure
your vision of a child who may run into the mower.
Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a power
mower. Children 14 years old and over should read and
understand operation instructions and safety rules in this
manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent.
Operation
GeneralOperation:
I. Read this operator's manual carefully in its entirety before
attempting to assemble this machine. Read, understand,
and follow all instructions on the machine and in the
manual(s) before operation. Be completely familiar with
the controls and the proper use of this machine before
operating it. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and
regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.
2. This machine is a precision piece of power equipment,
not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at all
times. Your unit has been designed to perform one job: to
mow grass. Do not use it for any other purpose.
3. Don't force lawn mower -- it will do the job better and
safer at the rate for which it was designed.
4. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this
machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and
understand the instructions in this manual and should
be trained and supervised by a parent. Only responsible
individuals who are familiar with these rules of safe
operation should be allowed to use this machine.
5. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be
used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and other
foreign objects which could be tripped over or picked
up and thrown by the blade. Thrown objects can cause
serious personal injury. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid
discharge of material toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders
and the like. Also, avoid discharging material against a wall
or obstruction which may cause discharged material to
ricochet back toward the operator.
6. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury,
stay in operator zone behind handles and keep children,
bystanders and pets at least 75 feet from mower while it is
in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters area.
7. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during
operation and while performing an adjustment or repair
to protect your eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can
cause serious injury to the eyes.
8. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting
slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover the arms
and legs and steel-toed shoes are recommended. Never
operate this machine in bare feet, sandals, slippery or light
weight (e.g. canvas) shoes.
9. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under
cutting deck. Contact with blade can amputate hands and
feet.
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A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade
contact or thrown object injuries.
Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled
over the foot during a fall caused by slipping or tripping.
Do not hold on to the mower if you are falling; release the
handle immediately.