Husqvarna Z548 Owner Manual - Page 7

SAFETY Safety Instructions These instructions are for your safety. Read them carefully. WARNING! THIS CUTTING MACHINE CAN AMPUTATE HANDS AND FEET AND THROW OBJECTS. FAILURE TO OBEY 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 obey 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 frequently attracted to the machine and the mowing activity. Do not think that children will stay 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. • Do not carry children, even with the blades shut off. They can fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe machine operation. Children who have been given rides in the past can suddenly come into the mowing area to ride again and be run over or backed over by the machine. • Do not let children to operate the machine. • Use extreme care when going near blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that can block your view of a child. General Operation • Read, understand, and obey all instructions on the machine and in the manual before starting. • It is recommended that someone knows that you are mowing and can give aid if there is an injury or accident. • Those who operate, maintain, and/or service this machine must first read and understand this Operator Manual. Local laws can 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 persons and/or property. • Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the machine. Keep away from the discharge opening at all times. • Only let responsible adults, who are familiar with the instructions, to operate the machine. • Clean 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 has no bystanders before operating. Stop machine if someone enters the area. • Do not mow in reverse unless fully necessary. Always look down and behind before and while backing. • Do not point discharged material toward someone. Avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction. Material can ricochet back toward the operator. Stop the blades when going across gravel surfaces. • Do not operate machine without the full grass catcher, discharge guard, or other safety devices in place and working. • Slow down before turning. • Always turn off blades, move the steering control lever out to the park brake position, stop engine and remove keys before dismounting. • Do not carry passengers. The machine is only intended for use by one person. • Operate the machine only in daylight or good artificial light. 7