Use and Care Manual

Safety - 8
SAFETY
counterweights.
• Inspect machine before you operate. Be sure hardware is tight. Repair or
replace damaged, badly worn, or missing parts. Be sure guards and
shields are in good condition and fastened in place. Make any necessary
adjustments before you operate.
• Before using, always visually inspect to see that the blades, blade bolts
and the mower assembly are not worn and damaged. Replace worn and
damaged blades and bolts in sets to preserve balance.
• Make sure spark plug, muffler, fuel cap and air cleaner are in place
before starting the engine.
• Be sure all drives are in neutral and parking brake is locked before
starting engine. Only start engine from the operator’s position.
• Do not change the engine governor settings or overspeed the engine.
Operating the engine at excessive speed can increase the hazard of
personal injury.
• If you hit an object or if abnormal vibration occurs, stop the machine and
inspect it. Make repairs before you operate.
• Use only accessories and attachments approved by the manufacturer of
the machine. Keep safety labels visible when installing accessories and
attachments.
• Do not wear radio or music headphones. Safe service and operation
requires your full attention.
• When machine is left unattended, stored, or parked, lower the mower
deck unless a positive mechanical lock is used.
Using a Spark Arrestor
The California Public Resources Code, section 4442.5 provides as
follows:
No person shall sell, offer for sale, lease, or rent to any person any internal
combustion engine subject to Section 4442 or 4443, and not subject to
Section 13005 of the Health and Safety Code, unless the person provides
a written notice to the purchaser or bailee, at the time of sale or at the time
of entering into the lease or rental contract, stating that it is a violation of
Section 4442 or 4443 to use or operate the engine on any forest-covered,
brush-covered, or grass-covered land unless the engine is equipped with
a spark arrestor, as defined in Section 4442, maintained in effective
working order or the engine is constructed, equipped, and maintained for
the prevention of fire pursuant to Section 4443. Cal. Pub. Res. Code
4442.5.
Other states or jurisdictions may have similar laws. A spark arrestor for
your machine may be available from your authorized dealer. An installed
spark arrestor must be maintained in good working order by the operator.
Checking Mowing Area
• Clear mowing area of objects that might be
thrown. Keep people and pets out of mowing
area.
• Low-hanging branches and similar obstacles
can injure the operator or interfere with
mowing operation. Before mowing, identify potential obstacles such as
low-hanging branches, and trim or remove those obstacles.
• Study mowing area. Set up a safe mowing pattern. Do not mow where
traction or stability is doubtful.
• Test drive area with mower lowered but not running. Slow down when
you travel over rough ground.
Parking Safely
1. Stop machine on a level surface, not on a slope.
2. Disengage mower blades.
3. Move motion control levers out to the Start/Shutdown position.
4. Lock the park brake.
5. Stop the engine.
6. Remove the key.
7. Wait for engine and all moving parts to stop before you leave the
operator’s seat.
8. Disconnect the negative battery cable or remove the spark plug wire (for
gasoline engines) before servicing the machine.
Rotating Blades are Dangerous
HELP PREVENT SERIOUS OR FATAL
ACCIDENTS:
• Rotating blades can cut off arms and legs,
and throw objects. Failure to observe safety
instructions could result in serious injury or
death.
• Keep hands, feet and clothing away from mower deck when engine is
running.
• Be alert at all times, drive forward and in reverse carefully. People,
especially children can move quickly into the mowing area before you
know it.
• Before backing up, stop mower blades or attachments and look down
and behind the machine carefully, especially for children.
• Do not mow in reverse.
• Shut off blades when you are not mowing.
• Park machine safely before leaving the operator’s station for any reason
including emptying the grasscatchers or unplugging the chute.
• The mower blades should stop in approximately five seconds when the
mower is disengaged. If you believe that your blades may not be stopping
in that period of time, take your machine to your authorized dealer where
they can safely check and service your machine.
Protect Children
• Death or serious injury can occur when
young children associate having fun with
a lawn mowing machine simply because
someone has given them a ride on a
machine.
• Children are attracted to lawn mowing machines and mowing activities.
They don’t understand the dangers of rotating blades or the fact that the
operator is unaware of their presence.
• Children who have been given rides in the past may suddenly appear in
the mowing area for another ride and be run over or backed over by the
machine.
• Tragic accidents with children can occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of children, especially when a child approaches a machine from
behind. Before and while backing up, stop mower blades and look down
and behind the machine carefully, especially for children.
• Never carry children on a machine or attachment, even with the blades
off. Do not tow children in a cart or trailer. They can fall off and be seriously
injured or interfere with safe machine operation.
• Never use the machine as a recreational vehicle or to entertain children.
• Never allow children or an untrained person operate the machine.
Instruct all operators not to give children a ride on the machine or in an
attachment.