Safety Operation
There’s more to mowing than pulling the starter cord and cutting the grass. First, there are safety tips to protect you and your family from things that can happen when a sharp mower blade meets things other than your lawn. And there also are ways to help keep your lawn mower in good condition so you won’t have to face repair bills. And there’s the most important thing: mowing to make your lawn look great and increase its chances of remaining healthy and green.
Before you start to use a lawn mower, you should read, understand and follow all instructions that are provided in “operator’s manual”. Be thoroughly familiar with the controls and the proper use of the machine before starting operations.
Here’s the checklist:
• Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the unit and the mowing activity. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.
• Keep children out of the mowing area and under the watchful care of another responsible adult. Before and while walking backwards, look behind and down for small children. Never allow children to operate the machine.
• Before using the machine, inspect the machine by visual to determine whether the cutting, fastening bolts and the entire mower deck worn or damaged. To avoid an imbalance may be, replace worn out or damaged cutting attachment bolts sets.
• Before operating the mower, make sure that all protective screens, the grass catcher and other protective devices are properly installed. Never operate the lawnmower with defective guards, or without safety devices, for example deflectors and/or grass catchers in place.
• Mowing should only be done during daylight or under good artificial lighting. Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• On riding mowers, never carry children, even with the blade(s) off. They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe unit operation. Children who have been given rides in the past may suddenly appear in the mowing area for another ride and be run over or backed over by the machine.
• Do the walk through. Check your yard for kids, toys (or the pets), branches and debris and clear it all out of the way before you starting.
• Wear shoes that will actually protect your feet - no, sandals won’t do. Nor will sneakers. Wear something sturdy with non-slip soles.
• Start your mower outdoors, not in the garage or garden shed. Remember: carbon monoxide is a byproduct of burning gasoline? Only operate your mower where there’s plenty of fresh air.
• Add fuel outdoors, with mower engine turned off. Use gasoline with at least an 87 minimum octane.
• Prime the engine (look for the primer bulb to see if yours has one) like it says in your manual. Then set the choke and pull the starter cord.
• Mow when the lawn is dry and you have plenty of daylight to see what you are doing. Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced footing could cause slipping. Keep a firm hold on the handle and walk; never run.
• Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.
• Cut only one-third the length of the grass each time you mow. That means if your grass is three inches tall, one inch is all you want to cut off. This keeps your lawn healthy. You adjust the cut by adjusting your mower deck (with the engine turned off).