While Operating - Toro 44044 Operator's Manual

• Safety interlock switches are for the operators
protection. Disconnected or malfunctioning safety
interlock switches could allow the machine to operate in
an unsafe manner and may cause personal injury.
– Do not disconnect the safety interlock switches.
– Check the operation of the switches daily to be sure
the interlock system is operating correctly.
– If a switch is malfunctioning, replace it before
operating the machine.
– Replace switches every 2 years to be sure of
maximum safety.
• In certain conditions gasoline is extremely flammable
and highly explosive. A fire or explosion from gasoline
can burn you and others and cause property damage.
Caution must be used when storing or handling
gasoline.
– Do not fill fuel tank while engine is running or hot
or when machine is in an enclosed area. Vapors may
build up and be ignited by a spark or flame source
many feet away. DO NOT SMOKE while filling the
fuel tank to prevent possibility of explosion.
– Always fill fuel tank outside and wipe up any spilled
gasoline before starting engine.
– Use a funnel or spout to prevent spilling gasoline
and fill tank to about 1 inch (25 mm) below the
filler neck.
– Store gasoline in a clean, safety approved container
and keep the cap in place on the container.
– Keep gasoline in a cool, well ventilated place; never
in an enclosed area such as a hot storage shed.
– To assure volatility, do not buy more than a 30 day
supply of gasoline.

While Operating

• Rotating parts can cause serious personal injury. Keep
hands and feet away from sweeper reels while machine
is running. Keep hands, feet, hair, and clothing away
from all moving parts to prevent injury. NEVER
operate the machine with covers, shrouds, or guards
removed.
• Do not run the engine in a confined area without
adequate ventilation. Exhaust fumes are hazardous and
could possibly be deadly.
• Operator should be seated when starting the engine and
remain seated whenever the machine is in motion.
Operator should keep both hands on steering wheel
whenever possible.
• DON'T TAKE AN INJURY RISK! When a person or
pet appears unexpectedly in or near the sweeping area,
STOP SWEEPING. Careless operation, combined
with terrain angles, ricochets, or missing or damaged
guards, can lead to thrown object injuries. Do not
resume sweeping until area is cleared.
• NEVER carry passengers.
• ALWAYS look to the rear of machine before backing up
and assure no one is behind the machine.
• When. starting the engine:
– Sit on operator's seat and engage parking brake.
– Make sure traction pedal is in neutral and Reel PTO
Engagement handle is in the OFF position
(disengaged).
– After engine is started, release parking brake and
keep foot off traction pedal. Machine must not
move. If movement is evident, the neutral
mechanism is adjusted incorrectly; shut off engine
and adjust until machine does not move when
traction pedal is released. (Refer to Adjusting
Traction Pedal, (page 27.) If engine does not crank,
check interlock switch connections.
• Do not touch engine, muffler, or muffler shield while
engine is running or soon after it has stopped because
these areas may be hot enough to cause a burn.
• Tip over can cause serious injury or death.
– NEVER operate on steep slopes.
– Sweep slopes up and down, never across the face.
– When going uphill or downhill, do not stop or start
suddenly.
– Stay alert for holes in the terrain or other hidden
hazards. To avoid tipping or loss of control, do not
drive close to a ditch, creek, or drop off.
– If engine stalls or machine loses headway and
cannot make it to the top of a slope, do not turn
machine around. Always back slowly straight down
the slope.
• Using the machine demands attention. Failure to
operate machine safety may result in an accident, tip
over of the machine, and possible serious injury or
death. Drive carefully. To prevent tipping or loss of
control:
– Operate only in daylight or when there is good
artificial light.
– Drive slowly.
– Watch for holes or other hazards.
– Use care when backing machine.
– Do not drive close to a sand trap, ditch, tall curb,
creek, or other hazard.
– Reduce speed when making sharp turns and when
turning on a hillside.
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