3
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
PREPARATION
(Continued From Previous Page)
4. Handle fuel with extra care. Fuels are flammable and
vapors are explosive. Use only an approved fuel
container. Never remove fuel cap or add fuel with
engine running. Add fuel outdoors only with engine
stopped and cool. Clean spilled fuel from machine.
DO NOT smoke.
5. Practice operation of machine with BLADE OFF to
learn controls and develop skills.
6. Check the area to be mowed and remove all objects
such as toys, wire, rocks, limbs and other objects
that could cause injury if thrown by blade or
interfere with mowing.
7. Keep people and pets a safe distance from
machine.
8. Check shields, deflectors, switches, blade controls
and other safety devices frequently for proper
operation and location.
9. Make sure all safety decals are clearly legible.
Replace if damaged.
10. Protect yourself when mowing and wear safety
glasses, long pants and substantial footwear.
11. Know how to STOP blade and engine quickly in
preparation for emergencies.
12. Use extra care when loading or unloading the
machine into a trailer or truck.
13. Check grass catcher components frequently for
signs of wear or deterioration and replace as
needed to prevent injury from thrown objects going
through weak or worn spots.
OPERATION
1. Mount and dismount machine from left side.
2. Start engine from operator's seat, if possible. Make
sure blade is OFF and parking brake is set.
3. STOP blade, STOP engine, set parking brake and
remove key when leaving machine.
4. DO NOT operate machine unless properly seated
with feet on feet rests or pedal(s).
5. STOP BLADE and ENGINE and make sure blade
has stopped before removing grass catcher or
unclogging mower to prevent loss of fingers or
hand.
6. Blade must be OFF except when cutting grass. Set
blade in highest position when mowing over rough
ground.
7. Keep hands and feet away from rotating blade
underneath deck. NEVER place foot on ground
while BLADE is ON or machine is in motion.
8. Deflector or entire grass catcher must be in place.
NEVER point discharge at people, passing cars,
windows or doors.
9. Slow down before turning.
10. Watch out for traffic when near or crossing
roadways.
11. STOP engine immediately after striking an
obstruction. Inspect machine and repair damage
before resuming operation.
OPERATION
(Continued From Previous Column)
12. Mow only in daylight or with good artificial light.
13. Move joystick (if equipped) SLOWLY to
maintain control during speed and directional
changes.
14. Exercise CAUTION when pulling loads. Limit
loads to those you can safely control and attach
loads to hitch plate as specified with SNAPPER
attachment instructions.
MAINTENANCE
1. Never store machine or fuel container inside
where fumes may reach an open flame, spark or
pilot light such as in a water heater, furnace,
clothes dryer or other gas appliance. Allow
engine to cool before storing machine in an
enclosure. Store fuel container out of the reach
of children in a well ventilated, unoccupied
building.
2. Keep engine free of grass, leaves or excess
grease to reduce fire hazard and engine
overheating.
3. When draining fuel tank, drain fuel into an
approved container outdoors and away from
open flame.
4. Check brakes frequently; adjust, repair or
replace as needed.
5. Keep all bolts, nuts and screws properly tight.
Check that all cotter pins are in proper position.
6. Always provide adequate ventilation when
running engine indoors. Exhaust gases contain
carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly
poison.
7. Disconnect negative (black) cable from battery
before performing maintenance or service.
Cranking engine could cause injury.
8. Never work under machine without safety
blocks.
9. Service engine and make adjustments only
when engine is stopped. Remove spark plug
wire(s) from spark plug(s) and secure wire(s)
away from spark plug(s).
10. DO NOT change engine governor speed
settings or overspeed engine.
11. Lubricate machine at intervals specified in
manual to prevent controls from binding.
12. Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the
blades or wear heavy leather gloves and use
CAUTION when handling them.
13. NEVER test for spark by grounding spark plug
next to spark plug hole; spark plug could ignite
gas exiting engine.
14. Have machine serviced by an authorized
SNAPPER dealer at least once a year and have
the dealer install any new safety devices.
15. Use only genuine SNAPPER replacement parts
to assure that original standards are
maintained.