Bolens 131-730A - Manual (Page 3)

I WARNING
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To reduce the potential for any injury, comply with the following safety instructions. Failure to comply with
the instructions may result in personal injury.
SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES FOR RIDING VEHICLES
1. It is suggested that this manual be read in its
entirety before attempting to assemble or
operate this unit. Keep this manual in a safe
place for future reference and for ordering
replacement parts.
2. This unit is a precision piece of power equip­
ment, not a plaything. Therefore exercise ex­
treme caution at all times.
3. Know the controls and how to stop quickly—
READ THIS OWNER’S MANUAL.
4. Do not allow children to operate vehicle. Do
not allow adults to operate it without proper
instruction. Only persons well acquainted
with these rules of safe operation should be
allowed to use your mower.
5. Do not carry passengers.
6. Keep the area of operation clear of all per­
sons, particularly small children and pets.
Stop engine when they are in the vicinity of
your mower. Although the area of operation
should be completely cleared of foreign ob­
jects, a small object may have been over­
looked and could be accidently thrown by the
mower in any direction and cause injury.
7. Clear work area of objects which might be
picked up and thrown by the mower in any
direction and cause injury.
8. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives,
walks or roads.
9. Disengage all attachment clutches and shift
into neutral before attempting to start engine.
10. Disengage power to attachment(s) and stop
engine before leaving operating position.
11. Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating
parts. Keep clear of the discharge opening at
all times as the rotating blade(s) can cause in­
jury.
12. Disengage power to attachment(s) and stop
engine before making any repairs or ad­
justments. Disconnect the spark plug wire
and keep the wire away from the plug to pre­
vent accidental starting.
13. Before attempting to unclog the mower or
discharge chute, stop the engine. The mower
blade(s) may continue to rotate for a few
seconds after the engine is shut off.
Therefore, be sure the blade(s) have stopped
completely. Disconnect the spark plug wire
and keep the wire away from the plug to pre­
vent accidental starting.
14. Disengage power to attachment(s) when
transporting or not in use.
15. Take all possible precautions when leaving
vehicle unattended such as disengaging
power-take-off, lowering attachments, shift­
ing into neutral, setting parking brake, stop­
ping engine and removing key.
16. Do not stop or start suddenly when going
uphill or downhill. Mow up and down face of
steep slopes: never across the face.
17. Reduce speed on slopes and in sharp turns to
prevent tipping or loss of control. Exercise ex­
treme caution when changing direction on
slopes.
18. Stay alert for holes in terrain and other hidden
hazards.
19. Use care when pulling loads or using heavy
equipment.
A. Use only approved drawbar hitch points.
B. Limit loads to those you can safely control.
C. Do not turn sharply. Use care when back­
ing.
D. Use counterweight(s) or wheel weights
when suggested in owner’s manual.
20. Watch out for traffic when crossing or near
roadways.
21. When using any attachments, never direct dis­
charge of material toward bystanders nor
allow anyone near vehicle while in operation.
22. Handle gasoline with care. It is highly flam­
mable.
A. Use approved gasoline container.
B. Never remove cap or add gasoline to a run­
ning or hot engine or fill fuel tank indoors.
Wipe up spilled gasoline.
C. Open doors if engine is run in garage. Ex­
haust fumes are dangerous. Do not run
engine indoors.
23. Keep the vehicle and attachments in good
operating condition, and keep safety devices
in place. Use guards as instructed in owner’s
manual.
24. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be
sure the equipment is in safe working condi­
tion.
25. Never store the equipment with gasoiine in
the tank inside a buiiding where fumes, may
reach an open flame or spark. Allow engine to
cool before storing in any enclosure.
26. To reduce fire hazard, keep engine free of
grass, leaves or excessive grease.
27. The vehicle and attachments should be
stopped and inspected for damage after strik­
ing a foreign object. The damage should be
repaired before restarting and operating the
equipment.
28. Do not change the engine governor settings
or overspeed the engine.
29. When using the vehicle with mower, proceed
as follows;
(1) Mow only in daylight or in good artificial
light.
(2) Never make a cutting height adjustment
while engine is running if operator must
dismount to do so.
(3) Shut the engine off and wait until the
blade comes to a complete stop before
removing the grass catcher.
(4) Check blade mounting bolts^for proper
tightness at frequent intervals.*
30. Check grass catcher bags frequently for wear
or deterioration. For safety protection, replace
only with new bag meeting original equipment
specifications.
31. Look behind to make sure the area is clear
before placing the transmission in reverse
and continue looking behind while backing
3 up.