5Section 2 — important Safe operation practiceS
Service
Safe Handling of Fuel
To avoid personal injury or property damage
use extreme care in handling fuel. Fuel is
extremely flammable and the vapors are
explosive. Serious personal injury can occur
when fuel is spilled on yourself or your clothes
which can ignite. Wash your skin and change
your closes immediately.
• Use only approved containers.
• Never fill containers inside a vehicle or
a truck or trailer bed with a carpeted or
plastic liner. Always place containers on
the ground away from your vehicle before
fueling.
• When practical, remove machines from
the truck or trailer and refuel it on the
ground. If this is not possible, then
refuel equipment on a trailer with a
portable container rather than from a fuel
dispenser nozzle.
• Keep nozzle in contact with the rim of the
fuel tank or container opening at all times
until fueling is complete. Do not use a
nozzle lock-open device.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and
other sources of ignition.
• Never fuel machine indoors or near
ignition sources.
• Never remove fuel cap or add fuel while
the engine is hot or running. Allow engine
to cool at least two minutes before
refueling.
• Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no
more than ½ inch below bottom of filler
neck to allow space for expansion.
• If necessary, use a funnel to avoid spillage.
• Replace fuel cap and tighten securely.
• If fuel is spilled, wipe off the engine
and equipment. Wait 5 minutes before
starting the engine.
• To reduce fire hazards, keep machine free
of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up.
Clean up oil and fuel spillage and remove
any fuel soaked debris.
• Never store the machine or fuel container
inside where there is an open flame, spark
or pilot light as on a water heater, space
heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas
appliance.
General Service
1. Never run an engine indoors or in a
poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust
contains carbon monoxide, an odorless,
and deadly gas.
2. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting,
make certain the blade(s) and all moving
parts have stopped. Disconnect the
spark plug wires and remove the key
from the ignition to prevent unintended
starting.
3. Periodically check to make sure the
blades come to complete stop within
approximately (7) seven seconds after
operating the blade disengagement
control. If the blades do not stop within
this time frame, your machine should be
serviced.
4. Never tamper with the safety interlock
system or other safety devices.
5. Regularly check the safety interlock
system for proper function, as described
later in this manual. If the safety interlock
system does not function properly, have
your machine serviced.
6. Check brake operation frequently as
it is subjected to wear during normal
operation. Adjust and service as required.
7. Check the blade(s) and engine mounting
bolts at frequent intervals for proper
tightness. Also, visually inspect blade(s)
for damage (e.g., excessive wear, bent,
cracked). Replace the blade(s) with
the original equipment manufacturer’s
(O.E.M.) blade(s) only, listed in this
manual. “Use of parts which do not meet
the original equipment specifications
may lead to improper performance and
compromise safety!”
8. Mower blades are sharp. Wrap the blade
or wear gloves, and use extra caution
when servicing them.
9. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to
be sure the equipment is in safe working
condition.
10. After striking a foreign object (or if
abnormal vibration occurs), stop the
blades and engine and thoroughly
inspect the machine for any damage.
Make necessary repairs before resuming
operation.
11. Never attempt to make adjustments or
repairs to the machine while the engine
is running.
12. Grass catcher components and the
discharge cover are subject to wear and
damage which could expose moving
parts or allow objects to be thrown.
For safety protection, frequently check
components and replace immediately
with original equipment manufacturer’s
(O.E.M.) parts only, listed in this manual.
“Use of parts which do not meet the
original equipment specifications may
lead to improper performance and
compromise safety!”
13. Do not change the engine governor
settings or over-speed the engine. The
governor controls the maximum safe
operating speed of the engine.
14. Maintain or replace safety and
instruction labels, as necessary.
15. Observe proper disposal laws and
regulations for gas, oil, etc. to protect
the environment.
Do not modify engine
To avoid serious injury or death, do not
modify engine in any way. Tampering with the
governor setting can lead to a runaway engine
and cause it to operate at unsafe speeds.
Never tamper with factory setting of engine
governor.
Notice Regarding Emissions
This machine is equipped with an engine that
is certified to federal EPA emission standards
for non-road engines and equipment, and
where applicable to California Air Resources
Board (CARB) emission standards. The engine
owner’s manual is supplied by the engine
manufacturer, and provides additional
information relating to the emission system,
warranty, maintenance of the engine in
accordance with EPA and/or CARB regulations.
Making any unauthorized alterations or
modifications to the engine, fuel, or venting
systems may violate EPA and CARB regulations.
When required, models are equipped with
low permeation fuel lines and fuel tanks for
evaporative emission control. California models
may also include a carbon canister. Please
contact Customer Support for information
regarding the evaporative emission control
configuration for your model.
This machine is designed to run on regular,
unleaded gasoline, 87 octane or higher. Never
use gasoline containing methanol or gasoline
containing more than 10% ethanol (i.e., E15
or E85 fuels) because the fuel system may be
damaged.
Spark Arrestor
WARNING
This machine is equipped with an internal combustion
engine and should not be used on or near any
unimproved forest-covered, brush-covered or grass-
covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is
equipped with a spark arrestor meeting applicable
local or state laws (if any).
If a spark arrestor is used, it should be
maintained in effective working order by the
operator. In the State of California the above is
required by law (Section 4442 of the California
Public Resources Code). Other states may have
similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal
lands.
A spark arrestor for the muffler is available
through your nearest engine authorized
service dealer or contact the service
department, P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland, Ohio
44136 - 0019.
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