Operation
Before Operation
Before Operation Safety
General Safety
•
Become familiar with the safe operation of the equipment,
operator controls, and safety signs.
•
Check that all guards and safety devices, such as doors
and/or grass catchers, are in place and working properly.
•
Always inspect the machine to ensure that the blades,
blade bolts, and cutting assembly are not worn or
damaged.
•
Inspect the area where you will use the machine and
remove all objects that the machine could throw.
•
Adjusting the cutting height may bring you into contact
with the moving blade, causing serious injury.
– Shut off the engine and wait for all moving parts to
stop.
– Do not put your fingers under the housing when
adjusting the cutting height.
Fuel Safety
DANGER
Fuel is extremely flammable and highly explosive.
A fire or explosion from fuel can burn you and
others and can damage property.
• To prevent a static charge from igniting the fuel,
place the container and/or machine directly on
the ground before filling, not in a vehicle or on
an object.
• Fill the fuel tank outdoors, in an open area, when
the engine is cold. Wipe up any fuel that spills.
• Do not handle fuel when smoking or around an
open flame or sparks.
• Store fuel in an approved container and keep it
out of the reach of children.
WARNING
Fuel is harmful or fatal if swallowed. Long-term
exposure to vapors can cause serious injury and
illness.
• Avoid prolonged breathing of vapors.
• Keep your hands and face away from the nozzle
and the fuel-tank opening.
• Keep fuel away from your eyes and skin.
Filling the Fuel Tank
•
For best results, use only clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline
with an octane rating of 87 or higher ((R+M)/2 rating
method).
•
ETHANOL: Gasoline with up to 10% ethanol (gasohol)
or 15% MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) by volume
is acceptable. Ethanol and MTBE are not the same.
Gasoline with 15% ethanol (E15) by volume is not
approved for use. Never use gasoline that contains more
than 10% ethanol by volume, such as E15 (contains 15%
ethanol), E20 (contains 20% ethanol), or E85 (contains
up to 85% ethanol ). Using unapproved gasoline may
cause performance problems and/or engine damage
which may not be covered under warranty.
•
Do not use gasoline containing methanol.
•
Do not store fuel either in the fuel tank or in fuel
containers over the winter unless fuel stabilizer has been
added to the fuel.
•
Do not add oil to gasoline.
Important: To reduce starting problems, add fuel
stabilizer to the fuel all season, mixing it with gasoline
less than 30 days old.
Refer to your engine manual for additional information.
8
Figure 13
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