Husqvarna Z254i Owners Manual - Page 7

SAFETY Safety Instructions These instructions are for your safety. Read them carefully. WARNING! THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROWING OBJECTS. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. WARNING! CHILDREN CAN BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BY THIS EQUIPMENT. Carefully read and follow all the safety instruction that follow. IMPORTANT INFORMATION The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be a minimum of 16 years of age before operating a riding lawn mower. Protecting Children Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the machine and the mowing activity. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them. • Keep children out of the mowing area and in the watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator. • Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the area. • Before and while backing, look behind and down for small children. • Never carry children, even with the blades shut off. They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe machine 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. • Never allow children to operate the machine. • Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may block your view of a child. General Operation • Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual before starting. • It is recommended that someone be aware that you are mowing and can provide help in case of injury or accident. • Anyone who operates, maintains, and/or services this machine must first read and understand this Operator Manual. Local laws may regulate the age of the user. The owner is responsible for training the users of this equipment. • The owner and operator of this equipment can prevent accidents and is responsible for accidents or injuries occurring to themselves, other people and/or property. • Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the machine. Keep clear of the discharge opening at all times. • Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar with the instructions, to operate the machine. • Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, etc., which could be picked up and thrown by the blades. • Be sure the area is clear of bystanders before operating. Stop machine if anyone enters the area. • Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary. Always look down and behind before and while backing. • Never direct discharged material toward anyone. Avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction. Material may ricochet back toward the operator. Stop the blades when crossing gravel surfaces. • Do not operate machine without the entire grass catcher, discharge guard, or other safety devices in place and working. • Slow down before turning. • Never leave a running machine unattended. Always turn off blades, move the steering control lever outward to the park brake position and stop the engine before dismounting. • Never carry passengers. The machine is only intended for use by one person. • Disengage blades when not mowing. Shut off engine and wait for all parts to come to a complete stop before cleaning the machine, removing the grass catcher or unclogging the discharge guard. • Operate the machine only in daylight or good artificial light. • Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. • Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing roadways. • Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer or truck. 7