MTD 112-638A - Manual (Page 3)

®c
WARNING I
To reduce the potential for any injury, comply with the following safety instructions. Failure to comply with
the instructions may result in personal injury.
SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES FOR WALK-BEHIND MOWERS
TRAINING
1. It is suggested that this manual be read in its
entirety before attempting to assemble or
operate this unit. Keep this manual in a safe
place for future reference and for ordering
replacement parts.
2. Your rotary mower is a precision piece of
power equipment, not a plaything. Therefore,
exercise extreme caution at ail times.
3. Read this Owner’s Manual carefully. Be
thoroughly familiar with the controls and the
proper use of the equipment.
4. Never allow children to operate a power
mower. Only persons well acquainted with
these rules of safe operation should be al­
lowed to use your mower.
5. Keep the area of operation clear of all per­
sons, particularly small children and pets.
Stop engine when they are in the vicinity of
your mower. Although the area of operation
should be completely cleared of foreign ob­
jects, a small object may have been over­
looked and could be accidently thrown by the
mower in any direction and cause injury.
PREPARATION
1. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equip­
ment is to be used. Remove all stones, sticks,
wire, bones and other foreign objects which
could be picked up and thrown by the mower
in any direction and cause injury.
2. Do not operate equipment when barefoot or
wearing open sandals. Always wear substan­
tial footwear.
3. Do not wear loose fitting clothing that could
get caught on the mower.
4. Check the fuel before starting the engine.
Gasoline is an extremely flammable fuel. Do
not fill the gasoline tank indoors, while the
engine is running, or while the engine is still
hot. Wipe off any spilled gasoline before start­
ing the engine as it may cause a fire or explo­
sion.
5. Disengage the self-propelled mechanism or
drive clutch on units so equipped before start­
ing the engine.
6. Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting
height adjustment while the engine is run­
ning.
7. Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light.
8. Never operate the equipment in wet grass.
Always be sure of your footing. Keep a firm
hold on the handle and walk, never run.
OPERATION
1. Do not change the engine governor settings
or overspeed the engine. Excessive engine
speeds are dangerous.
2. Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating
parts. Keep clear of the discharge opening at
all times as the rotating blade can cause in­
jury.
3. Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives,
walks or roads.
4. After striking a foreign object, stop the
engine, remove the wire from the spark plug,
and thoroughly inspect the mower for any
damage. Repair the damage before restarting
and operating the mower.
5. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnor­
mally, stop the engine and check immediately
for the cause. Vibration is generally a warning
of trouble.
6. Stop the engine whenever you leave the
mower, before cleaning the mower housing,
and when making any repairs or inspections.
7. When cleaning, repairing or inspecting, make
certain the blade and all moving parts have
stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire, and
keep the wire away from the plug to prevent
accidental starting.
8. Before attempting to unclog the mower or
discharge chute, stop the engine and be sure
the blade has stopped completely. The cut­
ting blade continues to rotate for a few
seconds after the engine is shut off. Never
place any part of the body in the blade area un­
til you are sure the blade has stopped rotating.
Disconnect the spark plug wire and keep the
wire away from the plug to prevent accidental
starting.
9. Do not run the engine indoors.
10. Shut the engine off and wait until the blade
comes to a complete stop before removing
the grass catcher or unclogging chute.
11. Mow across the face of slopes, never up-and-
down. Exercise extreme caution when chang­
ing direction on slopes. Do not mow ex­
cessively steep slopes.
12. Always disconnect electric mowers (line
operated) before cleaning, repairing or ad­
justing.
13. Never operate mower without proper guards,
plates or other safety protective devices in
place.
14. Keep washout ports and other mower-housing
service openings closed when mowing.
15. DO NOT OPERATE this mower with the chute
doors open, unless the complete grass catch­
er is properly mounted on the mower.
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
1. Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at
frequent intervals for proper tightness.
2. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be
sure the equipment is in safe working condi­
tion.
3. Never store the equipment with gasoline in
the tank inside of a building where fumes may
reach an open flame or spark. Allow the
engine to cool before storing in any
enclosure.
4. To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine free of
grass, leaves, or excessive grease.
5. Check the grass catcher bag frequently for
wear or deterioration. For safety protection,
replace only with new bag meeting original
equipment specifications.