4
WARNING
• The engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
• This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved
forest-covered, brush-covered, or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a
spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be main-
tained in effective working order by the operator.
• In the State of California, the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources
Code). Other States may have similar laws. Federal laws apply to federal lands. A spark arrester muffler
may be available.
IMPORTANT
SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF NOT FOLLOWED,
COULD ENDANGER THE PERSONAL SAFETY AND/OR PROPERTY OF YOURSELF AND OTH-
ERS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO
OPERATE YOUR UNIT. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN
PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL-
HEED ITS WARNING.
Your lawn mower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation
in this manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the
part of the operator can result in injury. This lawn mower is capable of amputating
hands and feet or throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instruc-
tions could result in serious injury or death.
DANGER
GENERAL SAFETY
OPERATIONS
A. GENERAL OPERATION
1. Read, understand and follow all instructions in
the manual and on the machine before start-
ing. Keep this manual in a safe place for
future and regular reference and for ordering
replacement parts.
2. Only allow responsible individuals familiar with
the instructions to operate the machine. Know
the controls and how to stop the machine
quickly.
3. Do not put hands or feet under the cutting
deck or near rotating parts.
4. Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys,
wire, etc. which could be picked up and thrown
by the blades. A small object may have been
overlooked and could be accidentally thrown
by the mower in any direction and cause injury
to you or a bystander. To help avoid a thrown
objects injury, keep children, animals,
bystanders and helpers at least 75 feet from
the mower while it is in operation. Always
wear safety glasses with side shields or safety
goggles during operation or while performing
and adjustment or repair, to protect eyes from
foreign objects. Stop the blades when cross-
ing gravel drives, walks or roads.
5. Be sure the area is clear of other people
before mowing. Stop machine if anyone
enters the area.
6. Never carry passengers.
7. Disengage the blades before shifting into
reverse and backing up. Always look down
and behind before and while backing.
8. Be aware of the mower and attachment dis-
charge direction and do not point it at anyone.
Do not operate the mower without either the
entire grass catcher or the chute guard in
place.
9. Slow down before turning. Operate the
machine smoothly. Avoid erratic operation
and excessive speed.
10. Never leave a running machine unattended.
Always turn off the blades, place the transmis-
sion in neutral, set the parking brake, stop the
engine and remove key before dismounting.
11. Turn off blades when not mowing.
12. Stop the engine and wait until the blades
come to a complete stop before (a) removing
the grass catcher or unclogging chute, or (b)
making any repairs, adjusting or removing any
grass or debris.
13. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
14. Do not operate the machine while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.
15. Watch for traffic when operating near or cross-
ing roadways.
16. Use extra care when loading or unloading the
machine into a trailer or truck. This unit