3
SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
4. Do not engage the drive control (if equipped) while starting
engine.
5. The blade control 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 must operate freely in
both directions and automatically return to the disengaged
(off) position when released. The cutting blade continues
to rotate for up to three seconds after the blade control is
released. Never place any part of the body in the blade area
until you are certain the blade has stopped rotating.
6. If the mower should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the
engine and check immediately for the cause. Vibration is
generally a warning of trouble.
7. Never operate mower without the proper trail shield,
discharge cover, grass catcher, blade control or other safety
protective devices in place and working. Never operate
mower with damaged safety devices. Failure to do so can
result in personal injury.
8. When starting engine, pull cord slowly until resistance is felt,
then pull rapidly. Rapid retraction of starter cord (kickback)
will pull hand and arm toward engine faster than you can let
go. Broken bones, fractures, bruises or sprains could result.
9. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the
cutting deck. Contact with the blade(s) can amputate hands
and feet.
10. Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects.
Uneven terrain or hidden objects could cause a slip and/or
trip accident. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
11. Your mower is designed to cut normal residential grass of a
height no more than 7” (17.5 cm). Do not attempt to mow
through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g., pasture) or piles of
dry leaves.
12. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material
toward roads, sidewalks, helpers and the like. Avoid
discharging material against a wall or obstruction which
may cause discharged material to ricochet back toward the
operator.
13. Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to
a complete stop before removing the grass catcher or
unclogging the chute. The cutting blade continues to rotate
for up to three seconds after the blade control is released.
Never place any part of the body in the blade area until
you are certain the engine is off and the blade has stopped
rotating.
14. A missing or damaged discharge door, chute or mulch plug
can cause blade contact or thrown object injuries.
15. Do not operate the mower without the discharge door, chute,
mulch plug or the entire grass catcher in its proper place.
16. Stop the mower blade when crossing gravel drives, walks, or
roads and while not cutting grass.
17. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
18. Do not operate the mower while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
19. The muffler and engine become very hot and can cause
serious burn injuries. Do not touch. Allow the mower to cool
for at least five minutes before storing or attempting any
service.
20. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and
deadly gas.
CHILDREN
1. Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of children. Children are often attracted to the
mower and the mowing activity. They do not understand the
dangers. Never assume that children will remain where you
last saw them.
2. Keep bystanders, children and pets inside while the mower is
in operation under watchful care of a responsible adult other
than the operator. Stop mower if anyone enters the area.
3. Be alert and turn mower off if a child or bystander enters
the area.
4. Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate this
mower. Children 14 and over should read and understand
the instructions and safe operation practices in this manual
and on the mower and should be trained and supervised by
an adult.
5. This mower is a precision piece of power equipment, not a
plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at all times.
This mower has been designed to perform one job: to mow
grass. Do not use it for any other purpose.
6. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, doorways,
shrubs, trees or other objects that may block your vision of a
child who may run into the path of the mower.
7. Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can
suffer burns from a hot engine or muffler.
8. If your mower is equipped with an Electric Start Push Key,
remove the key when the mower is unattended to prevent
unauthorized operation. Make certain the key is inaccessible
to small children.
SLOPE OPERATION FOR WALK-BEHIND MOWERS
1. Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents
which can result in severe injury or death. All slopes require
extra caution. If you feel uneasy on the slope, do not mow it.
2. For your safety, measure any slope before using the mower
on the sloped area. Use a slope measuring device in addition
to the slope gauge included as part of this manual to measure
slopes before operating this mower on a sloped or hilly area.
Smart phone applications can be also utilized to measure
slopes. If the slope is greater than 15 degrees (25%) as shown
on the slope gauge or a slope measuring device, do not
operate this mower on that area or serious injury could result.
3. Do not mow on slopes greater than 15 degrees (25%).