Husqvarna W448 Operation Manual - Page 7

Personal Safety Equipment • Make sure first aid equipment is close at hand when using the machine. • Never use the machine when barefoot. Always wear protective shoes or boots, preferably with steel toe caps. • Always wear approved protective glasses or a full visor when assembling or mowing. • Always wear gloves when handling the blades. • Never wear loose clothing that can get caught in moving parts. • Use ear protectors to avoid damage to hearing. Slope Operation Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control or machine tip-over accidents, which can result in severe injury or death. Operation on all slopes requires extra caution. If you cannot reverse up the slope or if you feel unsure, do not mow it. • Mow across slopes, not up and down. • Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles. • Choose a low ground speed so that you will not have to stop while on the slope. • Do not mow on wet grass. Tires may lose traction. • Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a slope. If the tires lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed slowly straight down the slope. • Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction, which could cause the machine to roll over. • Use extra care while operating machine with grass catchers or other attachments; they can affect the stability of the machine. • Do not use on steep slopes. • Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments. The machine could suddenly roll over if a wheel is over the edge or if the edge caves in. Safe Handling of Gasoline To avoid personal injury or property damage, use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. WARNING! The engine and the exhaust system become very hot during operation. There is risk for burns if touched. Allow engine and exhaust system to cool to a safe temperature before refueling. • Never fuel the machine indoors. • Before you begin refueling, minimize the risk of static electricity by touching a metal surface. • Check the fuel level before each use and leave space for the fuel to expand, as the heat from the engine and the sun may otherwise cause the fuel to expand and overflow. • Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow engine to cool before refueling. • Never overfill fuel tank. Replace gas cap and tighten securely. • If fuel is spilled on clothing, change clothing immediately. • Do not start the engine near spilled fuel. • Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition. • Use only an approved fuel container. Use only non-metal, portable fuel containers approved by the Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) or the American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM). If using a funnel, make sure it is plastic and has no screen or filter. • Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed with plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from the vehicle when filling. • Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, refuel such equipment with a portable container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle. - 7 -