Important Safe Operation Practices - Yard-Man 25A-253N401 Operator's Manual

SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFEOPERATION PRACTICES
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.
WARNING: The Engine Exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
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.
GENERAL OPERATION
* 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) beforeoperation. 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
orderingreplacementparts.
• 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 cut vegetation and
grass. Do not use it for any other purpose.
• Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
this machine. Children 14 years old and over should
read and understand the operation instructionsand
safety rules in this manual and should be trained and
supervisedby an adult. Only responsibleindividuals •
who are familiar with these rules of safe operation
shouldbe allowedto use this machine.
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 string trimmer
mower in any direction which could cause serious •
personal injury to the operator or any others allowed
in the area. Plan your trimming pattern to avoid
discharge of material toward building, walls, roads,
sidewalks, bystanders and the like. To help avoid
trimmer line contact or a thrown object injury, keep
children, bystanders, and helpers at least 75 feet
from the string trimmer mower while it is in operation.
Stop the string trimmer mower if anyone enters the
area. •
• Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during
operationor while performing an adjustmentor repair,
to protect eyes from foreign objects that may be
thrown fromthe machinein any direction.
• Wear sturdy,rough-soledwork shoes and close-fitting
slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover the
arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are
recommended. Never operate a unit in bare feet,
sandals, slippery or light weight (e.g. canvas) shoes.
Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts.
Keep clear of discharge area at all times as the
rotating trimmer head and lines can cause injury.
Never pull the string trimmer mower back toward you
while you are walking. If you must back the string
trimmer mower away from a wall or obstruction first
look down and behind, and then follow these steps:
• Step back from the string trimmer mower to fully
extend your arms.
o
Be sure you are well balancedwith sure footing.
Pull the string trimmer mower back slowly, no
more than halfway towardyou.
• Repeat these steps as needed.
Do not operate the string trimmer mower while under
the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The trimmer head controlhandle is a safety device.
Never attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so
makes the safety device inoperativeand may resultin
personal injurythroughcontactwith the rotatinghead
or lines. The trimmer head control handle must
operate easily in both directions and automatically
returnto the disengagedpositionwhen released.
Disengage the trimmer head before starting the
engine.
Never operate the string trimmer mower in wet grass.
Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can
cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are
losing your footing, release the trimmer head control
handle immediately and the trimmer head will stop
rotating within a few seconds.
Trim or mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
Walk never run.
Stop the trimmer head when crossing gravel drives,
walks or roads.
If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally,
stop the engine and check immediately for the cause.
Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.