- 4 -
WARNING
POTENTIAL HAZARD
♦ Operating engine parts, especially the muffler, become
extremely hot.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
♦ Severe burns can occur on contact.
♦ Debris, such as leaves, grass, brush, etc. can catch fire.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
♦ Allow engine parts, especially the muffler, to cool before
touching.
♦ Remove accumulated debris from muffler and engine area.
♦ Install and maintain in working order a spark arrester before
using equipment on forest-covered, grass-covered, brush-
covered unimproved land.
WARNING
POTENTIAL HAZARD
♦ Hands, feet, hair, clothing, or accessories can become
entangled in rotating parts.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
♦ Contact with rotating parts can cause traumatic amputation
or severe lacerations.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
♦ Do not operate the machine without guards , shields and
safety devices in place and working.
♦ Keep hands, feet, hair, jewelry, or clothing away from
rotating parts.
1.4.1 Give complete, undivided attention to the job at hand.
1.4.2 Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light, keeping away from holes or hidden
hazards. DO NOT operate the mower when children or others are in the area.
1.4.3 When feasible, avoid operating the equipment in wet grass.
1.4.4 Use EXTREME caution when mowing and/or turning on slopes as loss of traction
and/or control could occur. Mow across slopes with walk behind mowers, never
up and down. Loss of control and/or loss of operator’s footing could result in a fall
with an arm or leg getting under the mower or engine deck and sustaining serious
injury. Drive slower on slopes. Progressively greater care is needed as the slope
increases. DO NOT operate on slopes greater than 20 Degrees. Watch for
ditches, holes, rocks, dips, and rises which can cause erratic handlebar movement
and loss of footing. Keep away from drop-offs and steep banks. Avoid sudden
starts. Look down and behind you before and while moving backwards. DO NOT
mow slopes when grass is wet - slippery conditions create hazardous footing,
affect steering, and reduce traction and braking. The operator is responsible for
safe operation on slopes. See inside back cover to determine the approximate
slope angle of the area to be mowed.
1.4.5 Stop the blades when crossing surfaces other than grass, if mower must be tilted for
transportation, and when transporting the mower to and from the area to be mowed.
1.4.6 Never operate the mower with damaged guards, shields, or covers. Always have
safety shields, guards, switches, and other devices in place and in proper working
condition.