MTD 25B-551A700 Operator's Manual page 4

RNING
This symbol points
out important safety
instructionswhich, if
not followed, could
endangerthe personal
i safety and/or property
of yourself and others.
Read and follow all
instructions in this man-
ual before attempting to
operate this machine.
Failureto comply with
these instructions may
result in personal injury.
i When you see this
symbol.
HEED iTS WARNING
Your
i Responsibility
I Restrict the use
i of this power machine
to persons who read.
understand
and follow the warnings
and instructions
in this manual
and on the machine.
WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle compo-
nents contain or emit chemicals known to State of Californiato cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductiveharm.
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.
Failureto observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
Children
Tragicaccidentscan occur if operatoris not alert to presence
of children.Childrenare oftenattractedto powerequipment
suchas lawnedgers.Theydo not understand the dangers.
Neverassumethatchildrenwill remainwhereyou lastsaw
them.
1. Keepchildrenout of the mowingareaand underwatchful
careof a responsible adultotherthanthe operator.
2. Be alert andturn lawnedgeroff if a childentersthe area.
3. Beforeand whilemovingbackwards, l ook behindanddown
forsmallchildren.
4. Useextremecare when approaching blind corners,
doorways, s hrubs,trees,or otherobjectsthat may obscure
yourvisionof a child whomay run intothe lawnedger.
5. Keepchildrenawayfrom hot or runningengines.Theycan
sufferburnsfrom a hot muffler.
6. Neverallowchildrenunder14 yearsoldto operatean
edger.Children14 yearsold and overshouldreadand
understandoperationinstructionsandsafetyrulesinthis
manualandshouldbe trainedandsupervisedbya parent.
Operation
Safe Handling Of Gasoline:
1. Toavoid personalinjury or propertydamage use
extremecare in handlinggasoline,Gasolineis extremely
flammableand the vapors are explosive,Serious personal
injury can occur when gasolineis spilledon yourselfor
yourclotheswhichcan ignite,
2. Washyourskin andchangeclothesimmediately,
3. Useonly an approvedgasoline container,
4. Neverfill containersinsidea vehicle or on a truck or trailer
bedwith a plastic liner,Alwaysplace containerson the
groundawayfrom yourvehicle beforefilling.
5. Removegas-poweredequipmentfrom the truck or
trailer andrefuel it on the ground. Ifthis is not possible,
then refuelsuch equipmenton a trailer witha portable
container,ratherthan from a gasolinedispensernozzle.
6. Keepthe nozzle incontactwith the rim of the fuel tank or
containeropeningat all times until fueling is complete.Do
not use a nozzlelock-opendevice.
7. Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars, pipes andothersources
of ignition.
8. Neverfuel machineindoorsbecauseflammablevapors
will accumulateinthe area.
9. Neverremovegas cap or addfuel whileengine is hot or
running. Allow engineto cool at least two minutesbefore
refueling.
10. Neverover fill fuel tank. Filltank to no morethan V2 inch
belowbottomof filler neckto providefor fuel expansion.
11. Replacegasolinecap andtighten securely.
12. Ifgasoline isspilled,wipeit offthe engine andequipment.
Moveunitto another a rea.Wait5 minutes before starting
engine.
13. Neverstore the machineor fuel containernear an open
flame,spark or pilot light as on a water heater,space heater,
furnace,clothesdryeror othergas appliances.
14. Toreducefire hazard,keeplawnedgerfree of grass,
leaves,or otherdebris build-up.Clean up oil or fuel spillage
and removeany fuel soakeddebris.
15. Allow a lawnedgerto cool at least 5 minutesbeforestoring.
General Operation:
1. Readthis operator'smanual carefully inits entiretybefore
attemptingto assemblethis machine.Read,understand,
andfollowall instructionson the machineandin the
manual(s) beforeoperation.Be completelyfamiliar with
the controls andthe proper useof this machinebefore
operatingit. Keepthis manualin a safe place forfuture and
regularreferenceandfor orderingreplacementparts.
2. This machineis a precision pieceof powerequipment,not a
plaything.Therefore,exerciseextremecaution at all times.
Yourunit has been designedto performonejob: to edge
lawn.Do not use it for any otherpurpose.
3. Neverallow childrenunder 14yearsold to operatethis
machine.Children 14yearsold and overshould readand
understandthe instructionsinthis manualandshould
be trainedand supervisedby a parent.Onlyresponsible
individualswho arefamiliar withthese rulesof safe opera-
tion should be allowedto use this machine.
4. Tohelp avoid bladecontact or a thrown objectinjury,stay in
operatorzonebehind handlesand keepchildren,bystand-
ers, helpersand pets at least 75 feetfrom lawnedgerwhile
it is in operation.Stop machineif anyoneentersarea.
5. Thoroughlyinspectthe area wherethe equipmentis to be
used. Removeall stones, sticks,wire, bones,toysand other
foreignobjectswhichcould be tripped overor picked up
andthrown bythe blade.Thrownobjectscan causeserious
personalinjury.
6. Alwayswearsafetyglasses or safetygogglesduringopera-
tion andwhile performingan adjustmentor repairto protect
youreyes. Thrownobjectswhich ricochetcan causeserious
injury to the eyes.
7. Wearsturdy, rough-soledworkshoesand close-fitting
slacksandshirts. Shirtsand pantsthatcoverthe arms and
legs andsteel-toedshoesare recommended.Neveroperate
this machinein bare feet,sandals, slipperyor lightweight
(e.g. canvas)shoes.
8. Neverattemptto makeany adjustmentswhilethe engine
is running,exceptwhere specificallyrecommendedinthe
operator'smanual.
9. Toavoid personalinjury or propertydamage use extreme
care inhandlinggasoline.Gasolineis extremelyflammable
andthe vaporsare explosive.Serious personalinjury can
occurwhen gasolineis spilledon yourself or your clothes
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