MTD 315B - Manual (Page 2)

IMPORTANT
▲
SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF NOT FOLLOWED, COULD ENDANGER THE PERSON­
AL SAFETY AND/OR PROPERTY OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL
BEFORE AHEMPTING TO OPERATE YOUR CHIPPER-VACUUM. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT
IN PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL: HEED ITS WARNING.
A
Your chipper-vacuum was built to be operated according to the ruies for safe operation in this manual. As
n . Mprn. power equipment, careiessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious
DANucn: injury. This unit is capable of amputating fingers and hands and throwing objects. Faiiure to observe the
foliowing safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
i. GENERAL OPERATION
k 1. Read this owner’s guide carefully in its entirety before attempt­
ing to assemble this machine. Read, understand, and foiiow aii
instructions on the machine and in the manuai(s) before opera­
tion. Be compieteiy famiiiar with the controis and the proper
use of the machine before operating it. Keep this manual in a
safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering
replacement parts.
2. Your chipper-vacuum is a powerful tool, not a plaything.
Therefore, exercise extreme caution at all times. Your unit has
been designed to perform two jobs; to chip and vacuum vege­
tation found in a normal yard. Do not use it for any other pur­
pose.
3. Never allow chiidren under 16 to operate the unit. Children 16
years and older should only operate under close parental
supervision. Only responsible individuals who are familiar with
these rules of safe operation should be allowed to use your
unit.
4. Keep the area of operation ciear of all persons, particularly
small children and pets. Stop the engine when they are in the
vicinity of the unit. When chipping, keep work area clear of
branches or obstacles which couid cause you to stumble and
fall.
5. When feeding materiai into this equipment, be extremeiy care-
fui that pieces of metal, rocks, bottles, cans or other foreign
objects are not included. Personal injury or damage to the
machine couid resuit.
6. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles, during operation
. and whiie performing an adjustment or repair, to protect eyes
from foreign objects that may be thrown from the machine.
7. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close fitting siacks
and shirt. Shirt and slacks that cover the arms and legs and
steel-toed shoes are recommended. Do not wear loose fitting
clothes or jewelry and secure hair so it is above shouider
iength. They can be caught in moving parts. Never operate a
unit in bare feet, sandals or sneakers. Wear gloves when feed­
ing materiai in the chipper chute.
8. Do not operate the unit while under the influence of alcohol or
drugs.
9. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all
times.
10; Never place your hands or any part of your body or clothing
near or under rotating parts. Keep ciear of the discharge open­
ing at all times. Never insert your hands or any part of your
body or clothing into the nozzle, chipper chute or discharge
opening as the rotating impeller can cause serious injury.
11. If it is necessary for any reason to unciog the feed intake or
discharge openings or to inspect or repair any part of the
machine where a moving part can come in contact with your
body or ciothing, stop the machine, allow it to cooi, disconnect
the spark piug wire from the spark plug and move it away from
the spark plug before attempting to unclog, inspect or repair.
12. Never operate unit without vacuum bag and discharge chute
properly affixed to unit. Large zippered end of bag must be
closed to prevent objects from being blown out.
13. Never operate unit without either the inlet nozzle or optional
hose attachment properly affixed to unit. These devices shield
the operator from accidental contact with the rotating impeller.
Never attempt to convert the unit from nozzle to hose mode or
vice versa with the engine running.
14. Never attempt to remove or empty vacuum bag when engine is
running. Shut the engine off and wait for the impeller to come
to a complete stop before removing the bag. The impeller con­
tinues to rotate for a few seconds after the engine is shut off.
Never place any part of the body in the impeller area until you
are sure the impeller has stopped rotating.
15. Keep all guards and safety devices in place and operating
properly. ,
16. Do not allow an accumulation of processed material to build­
up in the discharge area as this will prevent proper discharge
and can result in kick-back from the chipper chute.
17. Keep your face and body back from chipper chute to avoid
accidental bounce back of any material.
18. If the cutting mechanism strikes a foreign object or if your
machine should start making an unusual noise or vibration,
immediately stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire
and move the wire away from the spark plug. Allow the
machine to stop and take the following steps.
• Inspect for damage.
• Repair or repiqce any damaged parts.
• Check for any loose parts and tighten to assure continued
safe operation.
19. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not
touch.
20. Do not allow leaves or other debris to build-up on engine’s
muffler. The debris could ignite and cause a fire.
21. Do not operate engine if air cleaner or cover over carburetor
air-intake is removed, except for adjustment. Removal of such
parts could create a fire hazard.
22. Only operate unit in good daylight. Do not operate unit at night
or in dark areas where your vision may be impaired.
23. Only use accessories approved for this machine by the manu­
facturer. Read, understand, and follow all instructions
provided with the approved accessory.
24. If situations occur which are not covered by this manual, use
care and good judgment. Contact your dealer for assistance.
II. CHILDREN
‘Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the pres­
ence of small children. Children are often attracted to the chipping
and vacuuming activity. Never assume that children will remain
where you last saw them.
1. Keep children out of the work area and under the watchful eye
of a responsible adult other than the operator.
2. Be alert and turn the unit off if a child enters the area.
3. Never allow children under the age of 16 to operate the chip­
per-vacuum.