2
SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
9.  Always wear appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment (e.g. 
safety glasses, long pants, gloves, hearing protection, safety shoes, hard hat) 
when operating or maintaining this machine. Long hair, loose fitting clothing, 
or jewelry may get entangled in moving parts. Follow all federal, state, and local 
guidelines regarding the use of personal protective equipment.
10. For extended use of this product, hearing protection is recommended.
11. Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge direction and do not point it 
at anyone. Do not operate the mower without the discharge cover or entire grass 
catcher in its proper place.
12. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the cutting deck. Contact 
with the blade(s) can amputate hands and feet.
13. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade contact or thrown 
object injuries.
14. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads and while not 
cutting grass.
15. Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing roadways. This machine is not 
intended for use on any public roadway.
16. Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
17. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
18. Never carry passengers.
19. Back up slowly. Always look down and behind before and while backing to avoid a 
back-over accident.
20. Slow down before turning. Operate the machine smoothly. Avoid erratic operation 
and excessive speed. Be aware of your direction of travel to avoid accidents.
21. Disengage blade(s), set parking brake, stop engine, and wait until the blade(s) 
come to a complete stop before removing grass catcher, emptying grass, 
unclogging chute, removing any grass or debris, or making any adjustments.
22. Never leave a running machine unattended. Always stop on level ground, turn off 
blade(s), place speed control pedals in neutral, set parking brake, stop engine, and 
remove key before leaving the operator position.
23. Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine on a trailer or truck. The 
machine should not be driven on unstable, unsecured, or inadequate ramps 
because the machine could tip over causing serious personal injury.
24. Check overhead clearances carefully before driving under low hanging tree 
branches, wires, door openings, etc., where the operator and/or ROPS may be 
struck which could result in serious injury and/or machine tip over.
25. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not touch.
26. Disengage the blades, set the parking brake to the ‘on’ position and make sure 
the speed control pedals are in the neutral position before attempting to start the 
engine. Only start the engine from the operator’s position.
TRAINING
1.  Read the Operator’s Manual and other training material. If the operator(s) or 
mechanic(s) cannot read English it is the owner’s responsibility to explain this 
material to them.
2.  Become familiar with the safe operation of the machine, operator controls, and 
safety signs.
3.  All operators and mechanics should be trained to operate or service the 
equipment. The owner is responsible for training them.
4.  Never let children under the age of 16 or untrained people operate or service the 
equipment. Local regulations may further restrict the age of the operator.
5.  The owner/operator can prevent and is responsible for accidents or injuries 
occurring to them, other people, or property.
GENERAL OPERATION
1.  Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual(s) 
before attempting to assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe place for 
future and regular reference by each operator and for ordering replacement parts.
2.  Be familiar with all controls and their proper operation. Know how to stop the 
machine and disengage the controls quickly.
3.  Do not allow anyone to operate or maintain this machine who has not read the 
manual. Never permit children under the age of 16 to operate this machine.
4.  Do not remove any shields, guards, labels, or safety devices. If a shield, guard, 
label, or safety device is damaged or does not function, repair or replace it before 
operating the machine.
5.  To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, keep bystanders, helpers, 
children, and pets at least 75 feet (23 meters) from the machine while it is in 
operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
6.  Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be used. Remove all 
stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys, and other foreign objects that could be picked up 
and thrown by the blade(s). Thrown objects can cause serious personal injury.
7.  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 machine manufacturer.
8.  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.
 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 attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may 
result in personal injury. When you see this symbol, HEED ITS WARNING!
 DANGER
This machine was built to be operated according to the safe operation practices 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.