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Owners Manual - Safety Warnings and General Safety Rules
Safety on the job is always be a top priority
LOOK FOR THE SAFETY HAZARD WARNING SYMBOL IN THIS MANUAL AND ON THE MACHINE.
The safety hazard symbol is used to alert the operator of safety hazards.
 DANGER
WARNING
CAUTION
"DANGER" identifies immediate hazards that will result in serious injury or death.
"WARNING" identifies potential hazards which could result in serious injury or death.
"CAUTION" identifies hazardous situations which may result in minor to moderate injury and/or could result in damage or destruction of equipment. |
These are general safety instructions that apply to operation of the TRENCH'N edge. This list includes many, but not all, of the safety instructions. Also refer to safety guidelines and warning shown in the rest of this manual and on the machine.
Common sense must always be used to determine the safest way to operate a machine under specific conditions.
OPERATOR:
- Always read the manual, the decals, and the safety warning decals before operating a machine for the first time.
- Clothes should be snug fit. Loose fitting may get caught in the mechanism during service or operation.
- Remove jewelry before operation. Jewelry may get caught in the mechanism.
- Wear shoes that will protect your feet. Steel toed safety shoes are strongly recommended.
- Eye Protection: Safety glasses and/or face shields should be worn when operating, as well as working in close proximity to high speed rotary equipment.
- Hearing: Use hearing protection to avoid injury from loud operating noise levels.
- Do not use stereo headsets during operation. Headsets also make it difficult to hear other people and monitor the position of other equipment operating at the worksite.
- Gloves: Use gloves to protect your hands.
- Respirators: When operating in dusty, windy conditions, wear a respirator or proper dust mask.
- The operator should never use a machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Never attempt to ride a machine that is not designed for that propose.
- Do not operate any equipment at unsafe speeds. Speeds should be reduced when turning or operating on slopes. The operator must use common sense to determine a safe speed based on the equipment, the slope, the surface, and other conditions that may affect safe operation.
- The operator must be aware of the conditions around the machine. Be careful to observe other people and machines in the area.
- Beware of slippery conditions. Wet turf can be encountered on slopes, when turning or stopping.
- Keep hands and feet away from cutting devices and drive components. Shut off the engine and remove spark plug wire when servicing cutting devices or drive components.
- Never allow children to operate the machine.
THE MACHINE:
- Always check the location and use of each control before operating a machine for the first time.
- If you have questions about the machine, call the factory.
- Do not modify the machine in any manner. ‡ Do not place hands or feet near moving or rotating parts.
- Check that all guards are functional and properly installed. Do not operate a machine without all guards installed.
- Check tires. Inflate to pressure shown on tire.
- Check to assure that all controls are in good operating condition. Always check the machine to make sure it is in good working order.
- Never overload or overwork a machine. The machine was designed for certain weights, stress and capacities. Overloading or overworking a machine will cause unsafe working conditions.
- Shut-off the engine before servicing the machine.
- Always check a machines on a level surface. Machines on a slope may roll when the engine is off.
- Refer any unfamiliar service, repair work, or adjustments to properly trained mechanics.
- Replace operating instruction decals and safety warning decals that are damaged or are illegible.
THE ENGINE:
- Do not run the engine in an enclosed area. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly poison. The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
- Do not refuel machines indoors or in an unventilated area. Do not over fill. Do not add fuel while the machine is hot because spilled fuel may cause a fire.
- Use fresh gasoline. Stale fuel can gum the carburetor and can cause leakage. Check the fuel lines and fittings frequently for cracks and leaks.
- Do not remove the fuel tank cap or fill fuel tank while the engine is hot or running. Allow the engine to cool before refueling.
- Do not operate the engine if gasoline is spilled. Do not operate the engine when the smell of gasoline is present or if any other explosive conditions exist. Move the equipment away from the spill and avoid any ignition until the gasoline has evaporated.
- Do not store, spill, or use gasoline near an open flame. Do not store, spill, or use gasoline near a stove, furnace, water heater, or appliance that uses a pilot light or can create sparks.
- Do not choke the carburetor to stop the engine. Whenever possible, gradually reduce the engine speed before stopping.
- Do not tamper with the governor springs, links or other parts to increase the engine speed. Run the engine at the speed set by the equipment manufacturer.
- Keep the cylinder fins and the governor parts free of dirt, grass, and debris which can affect engine speed.
- Do not transport the engine with fuel in the tank.
- Prevent accidental starting by removing the spark plug wire(s) when servicing the engine or the equipment. Disconnect the negative wire from the battery terminal if the engine is equipped with an electric starting system.
- Do not strike the flywheel with a hammer or any hard object. This may cause the flywheel to shatter during operation. Use the correct tools to service the machine.
- Do not check for a ignition spark with the spark plug removed. Use an approved tester.
- Do not crank the engine with the spark plug removed. If the engine is flooded, place the throttle in fast and crank until the engine starts.
- Do not start the engine with the air cleaner and/or the air cleaner cover removed. Do not operate the engine without a muffler. Replace the muffler if it is leaking or worn. Replace only with correct muffler. Do not touch a hot muffler, cylinder, or fin. It will cause burns.
- Do not operate the engine with an accumulation of grass, leaves, or other combustible material in the muffler area.
- Do not use the engine on any forest covered, brush covered, or grass covered unimproved land unless a spark arrester is installed in the muffler. The spark arrester must be maintained in good working order. In the State of California, the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other state may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands.
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