Safe Operation Practices; General Operation - MTD A0 Serie Notice D'utilisation

Important Safe Operation Practices
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!
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
WARNING! Engine Exhaust,
some of its constituents, and
certain vehicle components
contain or emit chemicals
known to State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects or other reproductive
harm. Battery posts, terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to the State
of California to cause cancer and
reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
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
fingers, hands, toes and feet and throwing
foreign objects. Failure to observe the following
safety instructions could result in serious injury
or death.

General Operation

1. Read this operator's manual carefully in
its entirety before attempting to assemble
this machine. Read, understand, and
follow all instructions on the machine and
in the manual(s) before operation. Keep
this manual in a safe place for future and
regular reference.
2. Be completely familiar with the controls
and the proper use of this machine before
operating it.
3. This machine is a precision piece of power
equipment, not a plaything. Therefore,
exercise extreme caution at all times. This
machine has been designed to perform
one job: to mow grass. Do not use it for
any other purpose.
4. Never allow children under 14 years of
age to operate this machine. Children 14
and over should read and understand the
instructions and safe operation practices in
this manual and on the machine and should
be trained and supervised by an adult.
5. Only responsible individuals who are
familiar with these rules of safe operation
should be allowed to use this machine.
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6. Thoroughly inspect the area where the
equipment is to be used. Remove all
stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and other
foreign objects, which could be tripped
over or picked up and thrown by the
blade. Thrown objects can cause serious
personal injury.
7. 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.
8. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown
object injury, stay in operator zone behind
handles and keep children, bystanders,
helpers and pets at least 75 feet from
mower while it is in operation. Stop
machine if anyone enters area.
9. Always wear safety glasses or safety
goggles during operation and while
performing an adjustment or repair to
protect your eyes. Thrown objects which
ricochet can cause serious injury to the
eyes.
10. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and
close-fitting slacks and shirts. Shirts and
pants that cover the arms and legs and
steel-toed shoes are recommended. Never
operate this machine in bare feet, sandals,
slippery or light-weight (e.g. canvas)
shoes.
11. Do not put hands or feet near rotating
parts or under the cutting deck. Contact
with blade can amputate fingers, hands,
toes and feet.
12. A missing or damaged discharge cover
can cause blade contact or thrown object
injuries.
13. Many injuries occur as a result of the
mower being pulled over the foot during
a fall caused by slipping or tripping. Do
not hold on to the mower if you are falling;
release the handle immediately.
14. Never pull the mower back toward
you while you are walking. If you must
back the mower away from a wall or
obstruction first look down and behind to
avoid tripping and then follow these steps:
a. Step back from mower to fully
extend your arms.
b. Be sure you are well balanced with
sure footing.
c. Pull the mower back slowly, no
more than half way toward you.
d. Repeat these steps as needed.
15. Do not operate the mower while under
the influence of alcohol or drugs.
16. Do not engage the self-propelled
mechanism on machines so equipped
while starting engine.
17. 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 easily in both
directions and automatically return to the
disengaged position when released.
18. Never operate the mower in wet grass.
Always be sure of your footing. A slip
and fall can cause serious personal
injury. If you feel you are losing your
footing, release the blade control handle
immediately and the blade will stop
rotating within three seconds.
19. Mow only in daylight or good artificial
light. Walk, never run.
20. Stop the blade when crossing gravel
drives, walks or roads.
21. If the equipment should start to vibrate
abnormally, stop the engine and check
immediately for the cause. Vibration is
generally a warning of trouble.
22. 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 a few seconds after the blade
control is released. Never place any part
of the body in the blade area until you are
sure the blade has stopped rotating.
23. Never operate mower without 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.
24. Muffler and engine become hot and can
cause a burn. Do not touch.
25. Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting
height adjustment while the engine is
running.
26. Only use parts and accessories made for
this machine by the manufacturer. Failure
to do so can result in personal injury.
27. 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.
28. If situations occur which are not covered
in this manual, use care and good
judgement. Contact Customer Support
for assistance or the name of the nearest
service dealer.
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