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BetterOutdoorProducts.com
Safety
Safety
Note:
The addition of attachments made by other
manufacturers that do not meet American National
Standards Institute certification will cause
noncompliance of this machine. Improper use or
maintenance by the operator or owner can result in
injury. To reduce the potential for injury, comply with
these safety instructions and always pay attention to
the safety alert symbol
, which means
CAUTION
,
WARNING
, or
DANGER
-“personal safety
instruction." Failure to comply with the instruction
may result in personal injury or death.
Safe Operating Practices
The following instructions are from ANSI standard
B71.4-2004.
Training
•
Read the Operator’s Manual and other
training material. If the operator(s) or mechanic(s)
can’t read English it is the owner’s responsibility to
explain this material to them.
• Become familiar with the safe operation of the
equipment, operator controls, and safety signs.
• All operators and mechanics should be trained.
The owner is responsible for training the users.
•
Never
let children or untrained people operate or
service the equipment. Local regulations may restrict
the age of the operator.
• The owner/user can prevent and is responsible for
accidents or injuries occurring to himself or herself
other people or property.
Preparation
• Evaluate the terrain to determine what accessories
and attachments are needed to properly and safely
perform the job. Only use accessories and
attachments approved by the manufacturer.
• Wear appropriate clothing including hard hat,
safety glasses and hearing protection. Long hair,
loose clothing or jewelry may get tangled in moving
parts.
• Inspect the area where the equipment is to be used
and remove all objects such as rocks, toys and wire
which can be thrown by the machine.
• Use extra care when handling gasoline and other
fuels. They are flammable and vapors are explosive.
• Use only an approved container
•
Never
remove gas cap or add fuel with engine
running. • Allow engine to cool before refueling.
•
Do Not
smoke.
•
Never
refuel or drain the machine indoors.
• Check that operator’s presence controls, safety
switches and shields are attached and functioning
properly.
Do Not
operate unless they are functioning
properly.
Operation
•
Never
run an engine in an enclosed area.
• Only operate in good light, keeping away from
holes and hidden hazards.
• Be sure all drives are in neutral and parking brake
is engaged before starting engine. Only start engine
from the operator’s position.
• Be sure of your footing while using this machine
especially when backing up. Walk, don’t run.
Never
operate on wet grass. Reduced footing could cause
slipping.
• Slow down and use extra care on hillsides. Be sure
to travel side to side on hillsides. Turf conditions can
affect the machine’s stability. Use caution while
operating near drop-offs.
• Slow down and use caution when making turns
and when changing directions on slopes.
•
Never
raise deck with the blades running.
•
Never
operate with the mower deck belt guard, or
other guards not securely in place. Be sure all
interlocks are attached, adjusted properly, and
functioning properly.
•
Never
operate with the discharge deflector raised,
removed or altered, unless using a grass catcher.
•
Do Not
change the engine governor setting or over
speed the engine.
• Stop on level ground, disengage drives, engage
parking brake (if provided), shut off engine before
leaving the operator’s position for any reason
including emptying the catcher or unclogging the
chute.
• Stop equipment and inspect blades after striking
objects or if an abnormal vibration occurs. Make
necessary repairs before resuming operations.
• Keep hands and feet away from the cutting unit.
• Look behind and down before backing up to be
sure of a clear path.
• Keep pets and bystanders away.
• Slow down and use caution when making turns
and crossing roads and sidewalks. Stop blades if not
mowing.
• Be aware of the mower discharge direction and do
not point it at anyone.
•
Do Not
operate the mower under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
• Use care when loading or unloading the machine
onto or from a trailer or truck.
• Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.
