DeWalt DW12A-O1T9739 Instruction Manual page 6

SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES, cont'd
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.
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