4
2
Safe
Operation
Practices
General Operation
1.
Read this operator’s manual carefully in its entirety
before attempting to assemble this machine. Read,
understand, and follow all instructions on the ma-
chine and in the manual(s) before operation. Keep
this manual in a safe place for future and regular
reference and for ordering replacement parts.
2. Be completely familiar with the controls and the
proper use of this machine before operating it.
3. This machine is a precision piece of power equip-
ment, not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme
caution at all times. Your unit has been designed to
perform one job: to mow grass. Do not use it for any
other purpose.
4. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
this machine. Children 14 years old and over should
read and understand the instructions in this manual
and should be trained and supervised by a adult.
5. Only responsible individuals who are familiar with
these rules of safe operation should be allowed to
use this machine.
6. 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 blade. Thrown
objects can cause serious personal injury.
7. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of
material toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the
like. Also, avoid discharging material against a wall
or obstruction which may cause discharged material
to ricochet back toward the operator.
8. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury,
stay in the operator zone behind the handles and
keep children, bystanders, helpers and pets at least
75 feet from the mower while it is in operation. Stop
machine if anyone enters the area.
9. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during
operation and while performing an adjustment or repair
to protect your eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can
cause serious injury to the eyes.
10. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-
fitting slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that
cover the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are
recommended. Never operate this machine in bare
feet, sandals, slippery or light weight (e.g. canvas)
shoes.
11. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under
the cutting deck. Contact with the blade can amputate
hands and feet.
12. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause
blade contact or thrown object injuries.
13. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being
pulled over the foot during a fall caused by slipping or
tripping. Do not hold on to the mower if you are falling;
release the handle immediately.
14. Never pull the mower back toward you while you are
walking. If you must back the mower away from a wall
or obstruction first look down and behind to avoid
tripping and then follow these steps:
a. Step back from the mower to fully extend your
arms.
b. Be sure you are well balanced with sure footing.
c. Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way
toward you.
d. Repeat these steps as needed.
15. Do not operate the mower while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
16. Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on units
so equipped while starting engine.
17. The blade control handle is a safety device. Never
attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so makes the
safety device inoperative and may result in personal
injury through contact with the rotating blade. The
blade control handle must operate easily in both
directions and automatically return to the disengaged
position when released.
18. Never operate the 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 blade control handle immediately and the
blade will stop rotating within three seconds.
19. Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light. Walk,
never run.
20. Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, walks or
roads.
21. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally,
stop the engine and check immediately for the cause.
Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.
WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain
or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
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 at-
tempting to operate
this machine. Failure
to comply with these
instructions may result
in personal injury. When
you see this symbol.
HEED ITS WARNING!
Your Responsibility
Restrict the use
of this power machine
to persons who read,
understand
and follow the warnings
and instructions
in this manual
and on the machine.
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.
Summary of Contents for 978
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