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OPERATION
For your safety, avoid starting or operating the engine in an enclosed
area, such as a garage. Your mower's exhaust contains poisonous
carbon monoxide gas, which can collect rapidly in an enclosed area
and cause illness or death.
WARNING
Exhaust contains poisonous carbon monoxide gas that
can build up to dangerous levels in closed areas.
Breathing carbon monoxide can cause
unconsciousness or death.
Never run the lawn mower in a closed, or even partially
closed area where people may be present.
Safe Mowing Practices
Most injuries and property damage with walk-behind mowers can be
prevented if you follow all instructions in this manual and on the
mower. The most common hazards are discussed below, along with
the best way to protect yourself and others.
General
Do not pull the mower backward unless absolutely necessary. Always
look down and behind before and while moving backward.
Operate the mower only in daylight or good artificial light.
Do not operate the mower while under the influence of alcohol or
drugs.
Avoid Rotating Blade
Rotating blade can cause serious cuts and even amputate fingers,
hands, toes, or feet. Keep away from the mower deck whenever the
engine is running. If you need to adjust the cutting height or work
around the deck for any other reason, always shut off the engine.
Wear heavy gloves and disconnect the spark plug cap when you need
to clean the mower deck or handle the blade.
The blade is sharp and spins at high speed. If you
come in contact with a spinning blade, it will cut you
severely and can amputate fingers and toes.
• Wear protective footwear
• Keep you hands and feet away from the mower
deck while the engine is running
• Stop the engine before performing any adjustment,
inspection, or maintenance
Clear Mowing Area
Mower blade can throw rocks and other objects with enough force to
cause serious injury. Before mowing, carefully inspect the area and
remove all sticks, stones, pieces of wire, and other loose objects.
Never operate the blade over gravel.
NOTICE
Striking objects with the spinning blade can cause severe engine
damage, which is not covered by the DISTRIBUTORS LIMITED
WARRANTY
(page
19).
Keep Shields in Place
Guards and shields are designed to protect you from being hit by
thrown objects and from hot engine parts and moving components.
For your safety and the safety of others, keep all shields in place
when the engine is running.
6
DANGER
Refuel With Care
Gasoline is extremely flammable and gasoline vapor can explode.
Refuel only outdoors, in a well-ventilated area, with the engine OFF.
Never smoke near gasoline, and keep other flames and sparks away.
Always store gasoline in an approved container.
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. Remove gas powered equipment from the truck
or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel
such equipment with a portable container, rather than from a gasoline
dispenser nozzle.
Wear Protective Clothing
Wearing protective clothing will reduce your risk of injury. Long pants
and eye protection reduce the risk of injuries from thrown objects.
Sturdy shoes with aggressive soles will help protect your feet and give
you better traction on slopes or uneven ground.
Stop the Engine When Not Mowing
If you need to leave the mower for any reason, even just to inspect the
lawn ahead, stop the engine by releasing the blade control lever.
Avoid Slopes
Avoid steep slopes of more than 20
Mow across slopes, not up and down. Be careful
when changing direction. Mowing on a slope
when the grass is damp or wet could cause you
to slip, fall, and lose control of the mower. Never
operate the mower in wet grass.
NOTICE
Mowing on steep slopes can starve the engine of oil, causing engine
damage that is not covered by the DISTRIBUTORS LIMITED
WARRANTY
(page
19).
Keep all four wheels on the ground, and be careful to avoid losing
your footing and your control of the mower. Keep a firm grip on the
handlebar, and walk, never run, with the mower. Be very careful when
mowing uneven or rough ground. Do not mow near drop offs, ditches,
or embankments. You could lose your footing or balance.
If stuck, do not kick or shove the mower with your foot. Use the
handlebar to control the mower.
Avoid Obstacles
Gravel, loose stones, and landscaping material can be picked up by
the mower and thrown many feet with enough force to cause serious
personal injury and/or property damage. Never direct discharged
material toward anyone. Avoid discharging material against a wall or
obstruction. Material may ricochet back toward the operator. The best
way to prevent potential injury from thrown objects is to release the
blade control lever to stop the blade before reaching areas with
gravel, loose stones, or landscaping material.
Be careful when mowing over obstacles that stick up above the
surface of the lawn such as sprinkler heads, paving, edging, raised
tree roots, etc.
If the blade hits something, or if the mower starts to vibrate, stop the
engine immediately, disconnect the spark plug cap, and check for
damage
(page
10). Striking objects may damage the blade, bend the
crankshaft, and/or break the mower deck or other components.
Vibration usually indicates serious trouble.
°.
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