Safety
Operator Training Required
• Read the operator’s manual and other training material. If the operator or mechanic cannot read English, it is the owner’s responsibility to explain this material to them. This publication is available in other languages.
• Become familiar with the safe operation of the equipment, operator controls, and safety signs.
• All operators and mechanics should be trained. The owner of the machine 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 themselves, other people, or property.
• Operate the machine in an open, unobstructed area under the direction of an experienced operator.
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.
a. Use only an approved container.
b. Never remove gas cap or add fuel when engine is running. Do not smoke.
c. Never refuel or drain the machine indoors.
• Check that the operator’s presence controls, safety switches and shields are attached and functioning properly. Do not operate unless they are functioning properly.
Operating Safely
• Never run an engine in an enclosed area where dangerous carbon monoxide fumes can collect.
• 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 pedestrian-controlled equipment, 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 in the recommended direction on hillsides. For this machine, mow across hillsides, not up and down. 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.
• Stop the blades if the lawnmower has to be tilted for transportation when crossing surfaces other than grass, and when transporting the lawnmower to and from the area to be mowed.
• Never operate with guards not securely in place. Be sure all interlocks are attached, adjusted properly, and functioning properly.
• Do not change the engine governor settings or overspeed the engine. Operating an engine at excessive speed can increase the hazard of personal injury.
• Stop on level ground, disengage drives, engage parking brake, and shut off engine before leaving the operator’s position for any reason including emptying the grasscatchers or clearing blockages.
• Stop equipment and inspect reels after striking objects or if an abnormal vibration occurs. Make necessary repairs before resuming operations.
• Keep hands and feet away from the cutting units.
• Look behind and down before backing up to be sure of a clear path.
• Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Use care when loading or unloading the machine into or off of a trailer or truck.
• Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.
• 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.
• Never pick up or carry a lawnmower while the engine is running.
• Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
• Use only accessories and attachments approved by the manufacturer of the machine.
• Do not wear radio or music headphones. Safe service and operation requires your full attention.
Using a Spark Arrestor
The engine in this machine is not equipped with a spark arrestor muffler. It is a violation of California Public Resource Code Section 4442 to use or operate this engine on or near any forest-covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrestor meeting any applicable local or state laws. Other states or federal areas 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.
Parking Safely
1. Stop machine on a level surface, not on a slope.
6. Wait for engine and all moving parts to stop before you leave the operator’s station.
7. Close fuel shut-off valve, if your machine is equipped.
8. Remove the spark plug wire (for gasoline engines) before servicing the machine.
Avoid Injury From Contacting Blades
• Rotating cutting cylinders 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 rotating cutting cylinders when engine is running.
• Be alert at all times, operate machine carefully. People, especially children can move quickly into the mowing area before you know it.
• Shut off cutting cylinders when you are not mowing.
• Park machine safely before leaving the operator’s station for any reason including emptying the grasscatchers.
• Always wear gloves when manually rotating reel.
• Use a long-handled brush when applying reel-sharpening compound.
Rotating Blades are Dangerous - Protect Children and Prevent Accidents
Protect Children:
• Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to lawn-mowing machines and mowing activity. Stay alert to the presence of children. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.
• Keep children indoors, out of the mowing area, and in the watchful eye of a responsible adult, other than the operator, when a mower is being operated.
• Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the work area. They don’t understand the dangers of rotating blades or the fact that the operator is unaware of their presence.
Wear Appropriate Clothing
• Always wear safety goggles, or safety glasses with side shields, and a hard hat when operating the machine.
• Wear close fitting clothing and safety equipment appropriate for the job.
• While mowing, always wear substantial footwear and long trousers. Do not operate the equipment when barefoot or wearing open sandals.
• Wear a suitable protective device such as earplugs. Loud noise can cause impairment or loss of hearing.
Maintenance and Storage
• Never operate machine in a closed area where dangerous carbon monoxide fumes can collect.
• Disengage drives, lock parking brake, stop engine and remove key or disconnect spark plug (for gas engines). Wait for all movement to stop before adjusting, cleaning or repairing.
• Clean grass and debris from cutting units, drives, mufflers, and engine to help prevent fires. Clean up oil or fuel spillage.
• Let engine cool before storing and do not store near flame.
• Shut off fuel while storing or transporting. Do not store fuel near flames or drain indoors.
• Park machine on level ground. Never allow untrained personnel to service machine. Understand service procedure before doing work.
• Use care when checking cutting units. Wear gloves, and use caution when servicing cutting units.
• Keep hands, feet, clothing, jewelry and long hair away from moving parts. If possible, do not make adjustments with the engine running.
• Keep all parts in good working condition and all hardware tightened. Replace all worn or damaged decals.
• Be careful during adjustment of the machine to prevent entrapment of the fingers between moving blades and fixed parts of the machine.
Prevent Fires
• Remove grass and debris from engine compartment and muffler area, before and after operating machine, especially after mowing or mulching in dry conditions.
• Empty the grasscatcher completely before storing.
• Always shut off fuel when storing or transporting machine, if the machine has a fuel shutoff.
• Do not store machine near an open flame or source of ignition, such as a water heater or furnace.
• Check fuel lines, tank, cap, and fittings frequently for cracks or leaks. Replace if necessary.
Handling Fuel Safely
To avoid personal injury or property damage, use extreme care in handling fuel. Fuel is extremely flammable and fuel vapors are explosive:
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition.
• Use only an approved fuel container. Use only non-metal, portable fuel containers approved by the Underwriter’s Laboratory (U.L.) or the American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM). If using a funnel, make sure it is plastic and has no screen or filter.
• Never remove the fuel tank cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow engine to cool before refueling.
• Never add fuel to or drain fuel from the machine indoors. Move machine outdoors and provide adequate ventilation.
• Clean up spilled fuel immediately. If fuel is spilled on clothing, change clothing immediately. If fuel is spilled near machine, do not attempt to start the engine but move the machine away from the area of spillage. Avoid creating any source of ignition until fuel vapors have dissipated.
• Never store the machine or fuel container where there is an open flame, spark, or pilot light such as on a water heater or other appliance.
• Prevent fire and explosion caused by static electric discharge. Static electric discharge can ignite fuel vapors in an ungrounded fuel container.
• Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle before fueling.
• Remove fuel-powered equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment with a portable container, rather than from a fuel dispenser nozzle.
• Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or container opening at all times until the fueling is complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open device.
• Never overfill fuel tank. Replace fuel tank cap and tighten securely.
• Replace all fuel container caps securely after use.
• For gasoline engines, do not use gas with methanol. Methanol is harmful to your health and to the environment.
Handling Waste Product and Chemicals
Waste products, such as, used oil, fuel, coolant, brake fluid, and batteries, can harm the environment and people:
• Do not use beverage containers for waste fluids - someone may drink from them.
• See your local Recycling Center or authorized dealer to learn how to recycle or get rid of waste products.
• A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provides specific details on chemical products: physical and health hazards, safety procedures, and emergency response techniques. The seller of the chemical products used with your machine is responsible for providing the MSDS for that product.