Yard-Man 125-847F401, 115-808L401 Owner's Manual

Summer

Winter

i

• SET-UP

• OPERATION

- MAINTENANCE

iMPORTANT:

Read Safety Rules and
Instructions Carefully

Spring

Fall

ROTARY

MOWERS

Thank you for purchasing an American-built product.

(Self-Propelled Model Shown)

Model Numbers

115-808L40!

125-847F401

WARNING: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved for-
est-covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester
meeting applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by
the operator.

In the State of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code), Other states
may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest
engine authorized service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 368022, Cleveland, Ohio 44136-9722.

I

PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 770-8832K

A. THIS SYMBOLPOINTSOUTIMPORTANTSAFETYINSTRUCTIONSWHICH,IF NOTFOLLOWED,COULDENDANGERTHE PERSONAL

A _. SAFETYAND/OR PROPERTYOFYOURSELFAND OTHERS.READAND FOLLOWALL INSTRUCTIONSIN THIS MANUAL BEFORE,,'

A'I-rEMPTINGTOOPERATEYOURLAWNMOWER.FAILURETO COMPLYWITHTHESEINSTRUCTIONSMAYRESULTIN PERSONAL,_
INJURY.WHENYOUSEETHIS SYMBOL-- _ HEEDITS WARNING. m=

I _ Your lawn mowerwas built to be operatedaccordingto the rules forsafe operationin this manual. As I

DANGER: with anytype of powerequipment, carelessnessor error onthe part of the opera!orcan result in serious

injury.This lawn moweris capableof amputatinghandsandfeet and throwingOblects.Failureto observe

the followingsafetyinstructions couldresultin seriousInjuryor death. I

,__,1. GENERALOPERATION

1. Readthis owner'sguide carefullyinitsentiretybeforeattempt-

ing to assemblethis machine. Read,understand,andfollow all
instructions on the machine and inthe manual(s) before opera-

tion. Be completely familiar with the controls and the proper

use of this machine before operating it. Keepthis manual in a

safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering

replacementpans.

2. Your rotary mower is a precision piece of power equipment,
not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at al!
times, Your unit has been designed to perform one job: to
mow grass.Do not use it for anyother purpose.

3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a power
mower. Children 14 years old and over should only operate
mower underclose parentalsupervision. Only responsible indi-

viduals who are familiar with these rules of safe operation
should beallowed to use your mower.

4. Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, particularly
small children and pets. Stop engine when they are in the

vicinity of your mower to help prevent bladecontact orthrown

object injury. Although the area of operation should be com-
pletely cleared of foreign objects, an object may have been

overlookedand could be accidentally thrown by the mower in
any direction andcause serious personal injury to the operator
or any others allowedin thearea.

5. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be
used. Removeall stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and other

foreign objects which could be picked up and thrown by the
mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to
the operator or any others allowed in the area.Planyour mow-
ing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward roads, side-
walks, bystandersand the like. To helpavoid a thrown objects
injury, keep children, bystanders and helpers at least 75 feet

from the mowerwhile it is in operation.

6, Always wear safetyglasses or safetygoggles during operation

or while performing an adjustment or repair, to protect eyes
from foreign objects that may be thrown from the machine in
any direction.

7. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting slacks
and shins. Shins and pants that cover the arms and legs end

steel-toed shoes are recommended. Do not wear loose fitting
clothes or jewelry. They can be caught in moving pans. Never
operatea unit in barefeet, sandals, or sneakers.

8. Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating pans. Keep
clearof dischargeopeningat all times as the rotating bladecan
causeinjury.

9. Many injuries occur asa result of the mower being pulledover

the foot during a tal!. Do not hang on to the mower if you are
falling; releasethe handleimmediately.

10. Neverpull the mower toward you while you arewalking. It you
must back the mower away from a wall or obstructionfirst
look down endbehind, andthen follow thesesteps:

a. Step backfrom the mower to futly extendyour arms.
b. Besure you are weft balancedwithsure footing.
c. Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way toward

you.

d. Repeatthesesteps as needed.

11. Do not operatethe mower whileunderthe influenceof alcohol
or drugs.

12. Disengage the self-propelled mechanism or drive clutch on
units so equippedbeforestarting the engine,

13. The bladecontrol handle is a safety device.Neverattempt t(
bypassitsoperation. Doingso makesthe safety deviceinoper.

ativeand may result in personalinjury through contact withthe
rotating blade.The blade control handlemust operate easily i_

both directions and automatically return to the disengaged
position whenreleased.

14. Neveroperatethe mower in wet grass.Always be sure of youJ

footing, A slip endfall can causeserious personal injury. Kee_
a firm hold on the handle and walk, never run. Mow only in
daylight or ingood artificial light.

15. Stop the bladewhen crossing gravel drives,walksor roads.

16. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the
engineand check immediately for the cause.Vibration is gen-
erallya warning of trouble.

17. Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to a com-
pletestop beforeremoving the grass catcher or uncloggingthe
chute. The cutting bladecontinues to rotate for a few seconds
afterthe engineis shut off. Neverplaceany part of the body in

the blade area until you are sure the blade has stopped rotat-
ing.

18. Never operate mower without proper guards, grass catcher.
platesor other safetyprotective devicesin place.

19. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not
touch.

20. Only useaccessoriesapprovedfor this machine bythe manu-

facturer. Read,understand,andfollow all instructions provided
with the approvedaccessory.

21. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use
careand good judgment. Contactyour dealerfor assistance.

,_11. SLOPEOPERATION

Foryour safety, usethe slopegaugeincluded as part of this manual

to measure slopes before operating this unit on a sloped or hilly
area.If the slope is greater than 15°, asshown on the slope gauge,
do notoperatethis unit onthat areaor serious injury could result.

DO:

• Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down. Exercise
extremecaution whenchanging direction on slopes.

• Watch for holes, ruts, hidden objects, or bumps. Tall grass can
hideobstacles.

• Always besure of your footing. A slip andfall can cause serious
personalinjury.

DONOT:
* Donot mow neardrop-offs, ditches or embankments.The opera-

tor could loosefooting or balance.

• Do not mow slopes greater than 15° as shown on the slope
gauge.

• Donot mow on wet grass. Reducedfooting could cause slipping.

_e_ III. CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the pres-
enceof children. Childrenare often attractedto the mower and the

mowing activity. Neverassumethat children will remain where you
last sawthem.

1. Keepchildren out of the mowing areaand under the watchful
careof aresponsibleadult otherthan the operator.

2. Bealert and turn mower off if a child entersthe area.

3. Beforeand while moving backwards,look behind and down for
small children.

4. Neveratlow children underage 14 to operatethe mower.

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