DeWalt DW33 Instruction Manual page 5

SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES, cont'd
CHILDREN
1. Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children.
Children are often attracted to the mower and the mowing activity. They do not
understand the dangers. Never assume that children will remain where you last
saw them.
2. Keep bystanders, children and pets inside while the mower is in operation under
watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator. Stop mower if anyone
enters the area.
3. Be alert and turn mower off if a child or bystander enters the area.
4. Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate this mower. Children 14 and
over should read and understand the instructions and safe operation practices in this
manual and on the mower and should be trained and supervised by an adult.
5. This mower is a precision piece of power equipment, not a plaything. Therefore,
exercise extreme caution at all times. This mower has been designed to perform one
job: to mow grass. Do not use it for any other purpose.
6. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, doorways, shrubs, trees or other
objects that may block your vision of a child who may run into the path of the mower.
7. Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer burns from a hot
engine or muffler.
8. If your mower is equipped with an Electric Start Push Key, remove the key when the
mower is unattended to prevent unauthorized operation. Make certain the key is
inaccessible to small children.
SLOPE OPERATION FOR WALK-BEHIND MOWERS
1. Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents which can result in severe
injury or death. All slopes require extra caution. If you feel uneasy on the slope, do not
mow it.
2. For your safety, measure any slope before using the mower on the sloped area. Use a
slope measuring device in addition to the slope gauge included as part of this manual
to measure slopes before operating this mower on a sloped or hilly area. Smart phone
applications can be also utilized to measure slopes. If the slope is greater than 15
degrees (25%) as shown on the slope gauge or a slope measuring device, do not
operate this mower on that area or serious injury could result.
3. Do not mow on slopes greater than 15 degrees (25%).
4. Only mow across slopes, never mow up and down slopes.
5. The mower may speed up when turning downhill, always turn uphill. Maintain control
of the mower at all times.
6. Do not mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could cause slipping.
7. Do not operate the mower under any conditions where traction or stability is in
question. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal
injury. If you feel you are losing your balance or footing, release the blade control
handle immediately and the blade will stop rotating within three (3) seconds.
8. Stay at least 3 feet (1 meter) from drop-offs, ditches, embankments or the edge of
water. You could lose your balance or footing.
FIRE & FUEL
1. 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.
2. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.
3. Only use an approved portable fuel (gasoline) container. Use only containers certified
by EPA, CARB, and/or OSHA.
4. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is hot or running. Allow engine to
cool at least five minutes before refueling.
5. Never fuel the mower indoors.
6. Never store the mower or fuel container inside where there is an open flame, spark
or pilot light as on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other
gas appliances.
7. If fuel is spilled, wipe it off the engine and mower. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and
remove any fuel soaked debris. Move the mower to another area. Wait at least 5
minutes before starting the engine.
8. To reduce fire hazards, keep mower free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up.
Follow the instructions in the Service and Maintenance section to keep your mower
free of debris.
9. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than 1" (25mm) below bottom of filler neck
to allow space for fuel expansion.
10. Replace gas cap and tighten securely.
11. Allow a mower to cool at least five minutes before fueling or storing.
12. 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.
13. When practical, 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.
14. 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.
SERVICE
1. Keep the mower in good working order. Replace worn or damaged parts.
2. To avoid serious injury or death, do not modify engine in any way. Tampering with
the governor setting can lead to a runaway engine and cause it to operate at unsafe
speeds. Never tamper with factory setting of engine governor. Do not change
the engine governor settings or over-speed the engine. The governor controls the
maximum safe operating speed of the engine.
3. Mower blades are sharp. Wrap the blade or wear gloves, and use extra caution when
servicing them.
4. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the blade and all moving parts
have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against the engine to
prevent unintended starting.
5. Ensure the blade comes to a complete stop within (3) three seconds after operating
the blade control. If the blade does not stop in less than three seconds, your mower
must be serviced professionally by an authorized service dealer. Check for proper
operation per the Service and Maintenance section.
6. Regularly check the safety interlock system for proper function, as described later
in this manual. If the safety interlock system does not function properly, have your
mower serviced professionally by an authorized service dealer.
7. Never tamper with the blade control safety interlock or other safety devices. Check for
proper operation per the Service and Maintenance section.
8. Check the mower blade and engine mounting bolt torque in accordance to the Service
and Maintenance section in this manual. Also, visually inspect blade for damage
(e.g., excessive wear, bent, cracked). Replace the blade with the original equipment
manufacturer's (O.E.M.) blade only.
9. Use of service parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications may lead
to improper performance and compromise safety.
10. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the equipment is in safe working
condition. Check all hardware for tightness per the Service and Maintenance section.
11. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and
ground against the engine. Thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the
damage before starting and operating
12. Never attempt to make wheel cutting height adjustments or repairs to the mower
while the engine is running.
13. Grass catcher components and the discharge cover are subject to wear and damage
which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. For safety protection,
frequently check components and replace immediately with original equipment
manufacturer's (O.E.M.) parts only. "Use of parts which do not meet the original
equipment specifications may lead to improper performance and compromise safety. "
14. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as necessary.
15. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for gas, oil, etc. to protect
the environment.
ENGLISH
5