Yard Machines 540 Series Operator's Manual

Also see for 540 Series: Operator's manual Operator's manual

Contents

Yard Machines 540 Series Operator's Manual Manual pdf 3 page image

3SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICESThis symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personalsafety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual beforeattempting to operate your lawn mower. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personalinjury. When you see this symbol, heed its warning.WARNING: The Engine Exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California tocause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.DANGER: Your lawn mower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. Aswith any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. Thislawn mower is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safetyinstructions could result in serious injury or death.GENERAL OPERATION• Read this operator’s manual carefully in its entiretybefore attempting to assemble this machine. Read,understand, and follow all instructions on themachine and in the manual(s) before operation. Becompletely familiar with the controls and the properuse of this machine before operating it. Keep thismanual in a safe place for future and regularreference and for ordering replacement parts.• Your rotary mower is a precision piece of powerequipment, not a plaything. Therefore, exerciseextreme caution at all times. Your unit has beendesigned to perform one job: to mow grass. Do notuse it for any other purpose.• Never allow children under 14 years old to operatea power mower. Children 14 years old and overshould only operate mower under close parentalsupervision. Only responsible individuals who arefamiliar with these rules of safe operation should beallowed to use your mower.• Keep the area of operation clear of all persons,particularly small children and pets. Stop enginewhen they are in the vicinity of your mower to helpprevent blade contact or thrown object injury.Although the area of operation should becompletely cleared of foreign objects, an object mayhave been overlooked and could be accidentallythrown by the mower in any direction and causeserious personal injury to the operator or any othersallowed in the area.• Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that coverthe arms and legs and steel-toed shoes arerecommended. Do not wear loose fitting clothes orjewelry. They can be caught in moving parts. Neveroperate a unit in bare feet, sandals, slippery or lightweight (e.g. canvas) shoes.• Always wear safety glasses or safety gogglesduring operation or while performing an adjustmentor repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects thatmay be thrown from the machine in any direction.• Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment isto be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones,toys and other foreign objects which could bepicked up and thrown by the mower in any directionand cause serious personal injury to the operator orany others allowed in the area. Plan your mowingpattern to avoid discharge of material toward roads,sidewalks, bystanders and the like. To help avoid athrown objects injury, keep children, bystandersand helpers at least 75 feet from the mower while itis in operation.• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotatingparts. Keep clear of discharge opening at all timesas the rotating blade can cause injury.• Many injuries occur as a result of the mower beingpulled over the foot during a fall. Do not hang on tothe mower if you are falling; release the handleimmediately.• Never pull the mower toward you while you arewalking. If you must back the mower away from awall or obstruction first look down and behind, andthen follow these steps:a. Step back from the mower to fully extend yourarms.b. Be sure you are well balanced with surefooting.c. Pull the mower back slowly, no more than halfway toward you.d. Repeat these steps as needed.• Do not operate the mower while under the influenceof alcohol or drugs.• Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism onunits so equipped while starting engine.• The blade control handle is a safety device. Neverattempt to bypass its operation. Doing so makes thesafety device inoperative and may result in personalinjury through contact with the rotating blade. Theblade control handle must operate easily in bothdirections and automatically return to thedisengaged position when released.• Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always besure of your footing. A slip and fall can causeserious personal injury. Keep a firm hold on thehandle and walk, never run. If you feel you arelosing your footing, RELEASE THE BLADECONTROL HANDLE IMMEDIATELY and the bladewill stop rotating within three seconds.