Safe Mowing Guide - Murray 20408 34A Serie Manuel De L'utilisateur

SAFE MOWING GUIDE

Every person who uses power equipment must
learn the difference between proper and
improper use, safe and unsafe mowing
practices. Read the next few pages carefully.
They can help you learn. Too often the mower
user is inexperienced, not properly instructed, or
has not read the Instruction Book and
instructions on the unit before using it for the first
time. This can result in unsafe use endangering
the operator, bystanders, and the equipment.
Another result can be a poor appearance of the
area mowed.
Read this Instruction Book. Read the
instructions on the unit. Operate the mower
according to the Safe Mowing Guide and other
safety rules and recommendations in this
Instruction Book and on the unit. Make sure
anyone who uses the unit has read the
instructions and has been told how to operate
the mower safely.
Your mower is designed to provide good service
and durability in normal residential cutting. If the
mower is not properly serviced and maintained
or used on unsuitable terrain or in conditions not
suitable for mowing, product performance and
safety will be reduced.
Proper attire is an important part of safe
mowing. Safety glasses protect the eyes from
thrown objects. Safety shoes with steel toes can
protect a foot from being cut by the blade. Shirts
and pants that cover the arms and legs can stop
or deflect a thrown object.
Practice using the mower before you actually
begin cutting grass. Select a large open level
area. Learn the location and function of the
controls and how they work. It is important that
the blade can be stopped quickly in an
emergency. Learn how to cut and how to keep
control of the mower at all times.
Many mowers are started manually. When using
a pull start or rope start, place your feet firmly
and away from the blade. Hold the rope handle
securely, but never wrap the rope around your
arm or fingers for a "better grip".
The mower is designed for use by one person.
Always mow alone. Never carry passengers.
Carrying a passenger is dangerous for the
F–99415
passenger and the operator. A mower is not for
amusement or for carrying objects.
Is the area you are planning to mow wet? Never
cut a wet lawn. Cutting wet grass can cause an
accident. It can affect mower performance and
also cause problems with future lawn growth
and appearance. Wet grass is slippery and
might cause the operator to fall or the mower to
slip. Someone could be hurt by touching the
blade. Wet grass tends to clog the mower,
causing poor discharge. Wet clippings bunch up
on the lawn retarding the growth of grass. A wet
mower can cause parts to rust and reduce the
useful life of the unit.
When you look over the lawn, refresh your
memory about hard, immovable obstacles such
as pipes, stumps, and rocks and avoid them.
They can cause damage to the mower or an
accident injuring the operator or a bystander.
Take a litter bag along and walk over the area to
be cut. Pick up any stones, toys, wire, bones, or
other loose objects. These items can damage
the mower or they can become dangerous flying
objects if the mower blade hits them. The blade
of a power mower travels very fast. It can throw
rocks and other objects with force over long
distances. Objects thrown by mowers can break
windows, cause bruises, or even put out an eye.
Often the person hurt by a thrown object is a
bystander such as a child, another family
member or a neighbor. Keep people and pets
completely away from the mowing area. Direct
the mower's discharge away from areas where
people can be. Planning your mowing pattern
has a double benefit. It can reduce chances of
an injury and make the clean up after mowing
easier.
Are there ditches, walls,
or major inclines in the
area to be cut? Plan the
mowing pattern to avoid
such danger areas.
Inclines and rough
terrain must be mowed
carefully and some
areas must not be cut
with a mower at all. With
walk behind equipment,
mow across the incline
so that if you or the
mower slip, you won't
run into each other.
5
Never mow slopes greater than 15 degrees. See
the "Guide" in the back of this Instruction Book
to check any slopes.
Ready to start cutting? Not yet. Be sure the
mower has been fully assembled according to
directions in the Instruction Book. Even if
assembly was done by a lawn and garden shop
or the store where the unit was purchased, it
must be checked. Are all nuts, bolts and screws
tight? Does the engine have oil? These items
must be checked periodically throughout the life
of the mower.
Your mower has a gasoline engine. Gas is
dangerous. Store fuel only in a approved gas
container. Do not store large amounts of gas.
Put out all cigarettes, pipes and cigars before
working with gasoline. Store fuel and the mower
itself in a well ventilated area away from any
possible source of ignition such a pilot light on a
furnace. If the mower is to be stored for an
extended time, remove the gas from the tank.
This minimizes the chance of a fire and keeps
the tank clear of deposits and old gasoline, thus
improving mower performance. Move the mower
outside before adding gasoline. Use a funnel
and wipe up any spilled fuel before starting.
Remember, gasoline expands when heated so
leave some expansion room. Also, most mower
gas caps are vented to allow for expansion.
Always use the proper cap. People are
needlessly burned by fires, hurt in explosions,
mowers and other property are damaged
because of failure to follow basic safety rules
related to gasoline and fueling.
Never add gasoline to an engine that is running
or that is hot from recent use, this can cause an
accident. Remove dry grass and other debris
from the mower. Keeping the mower clean will
improve the performance, help the engine stay
cooler, extend the life of moving parts, and
minimize the danger of fire. People get burned
working with and around their mowers for other
reasons than fire and explosions. It takes only a
few seconds of operation for the engine and the
muffler to become hot. Do not touch these parts
when the mower is running. Stop the engine and
let it cool down before servicing the mower.
Remember, exhaust fumes can be dangerous.
Never operate the engine indoors or in an
enclosed area.
Getting a new mower can be a big event for a
family. Let family members satisfy their curiosity
about the mower and at the same time, tell them
about its dangers. Remember, a mower is not a
toy and is not for use by children or anyone
lacking in age, strength or experience.
As with any power equipment, a mower can be
dangerous if not assembled, misused, or not
properly maintained. The most important rule is
to always use good judgement and common
sense.
Your mower will cut thick grass and heavy plant
stems with ease. Fingers and toes are no more
resistant to the mower's blade. Many people are