• Before attempting to start the engine, disengage all blade attachment
clutches and shift into neutral.
• Do not use on slopes of more than 5°.
• Remember there is no such thing as a "safe" slope. Travel on grass slopes
requires particular care. To guard against overturning;
- do not stop or start suddenly when going up or down hill;
- engage clutch slowly, always keep machine in gear, especially when
traveling down hill;
- machine speeds should be kept low on slopes and during tight turns;
- stay alert for humps and hollows and oth er hidden haz ards;
- never mow across the face of the slope, unless the lawnmower is designed
for this pur pose.
• Use care when pulling loads or using heavy equipment.
- Use only approved drawbar hitch points.
- Limit loads to those you can safely control.
- Do not turn sharply. Use care when re vers ing.
- Use counterweight(s) or wheel weights when sug gest ed in the instruction
hand book.
• Watch out for traffic when crossing or near roadways.
• Stop the blades from rotating before crossing surfaces other than grass.
• When using any attachments, never direct discharge of material toward
bystanders nor allow anyone near the machine while in operation.
• Never operate the lawnmower with defective guards, shields or without
safety protective devices in place.
• Do not change the engine governor settings or overspeed the engine. Op-
erating the engine at excessive speed may increase the hazard of personal
injury.
• Before leaving the operator's position:
- disengage the power take-off and lower the at tach ments;
- change into neutral and set the parking brake;
- stop the engine and remove the key.
• Disengage drive to attachments, stop the engine, and dis con nect the spark
plug wire(s) or remove the ignition key
- before cleaning blockages or unclogging chute;
- before checking, cleaning or working on the lawnmower;
- after striking a foreign object. Inspect the lawnmower for damage and
make repairs before re start ing and op er at ing the equip ment;
- if the machine starts to vibrate abnormally (check im me di ate ly).
• Disengage drive to attachments when transporting or not in use.
• Stop the engine and disengage drive to attachment
- before refueling;
- before removing the grass catcher;
- before making height adjustment unless ad just ment can be made from
the op er a tor's position.
• Reduce the throttle setting during engine run-out and, if the engine is pro-
vided with a shut-off valve, turn the fuel off at the conclusion of mowing.
IV. MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
• Keep all nuts, bolts and screws tight to be sure the equip ment is in safe
working condition.
• Never store the equipment with petrol in the tank inside a building where
fumes may reach an open flame or spark.
• Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.
• To reduce the fire hazard, keep the engine, silencer, battery compartment
and petrol storage area free of grass, leaves, or excessive grease.
• Check the grass catcher frequently for wear or de te ri o ra tion.
• Replace worn or damaged parts for safety.
• If the fuel tank has to be drained, this should be done outdoors.
• On multi-bladed machines, take care as rotating one blade can cause other
blades to rotate.
• When machine is to be parked, stored or left unattended, lower the cutting
means unless a positive mechanical lock is used.
WARNING: Always disconnect spark plug wire and place wire where it
cannot contact spark plug in order to prevent ac ci den tal start ing when setting
up, trans port ing, ad just ing or making re pairs.
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