SECTION III
SAFETY AND PRECAUTIONS
Before operation of the Lightning please read the entire operation and safety manual with
complete understanding of the safety section. If you have any questions on safety and
precautions please call 1-866-636-7763.
There are several advantages to an effective safety program that include: lower operating costs,
lower workers’ compensations, less work time lost, high employee morale, and overall less
problems. No one can work safely without knowing what precautions to take to insure personal
safety. Operators must know what equipment to wear, which job practices are safe and which
are not, and must be aware of what hazards are possible in the work area. A regular schedule of
Preventive Maintenance on your equipment is the best protection against unpleasant surprises
that slow production and sometimes result in injuries. Here are a few suggested safety tips.
1. The first step before any maintenance or inspection takes place should be: stop
the engine and disconnect the battery terminals.
2. Wear proper eye and ear protection and heavy-duty work gloves at all times.
3. Practice good Preventive Maintenance.
4. Practice good housekeeping.
5. Allow the Lightning to come to a complete stop, turn off engine, and chock rear
wheels before performing any maintenance procedures.
6. Replace worn parts when necessary.
7. Do not reach into blade or control arm areas while machine is in operation.
8. Do not attempt to open any access door until the machine has come to a complete stop
and the engine and propane are turned off.
9. Be sure a qualified electrician does all electrical inspections or changes.
10. Loose surface coating can cause dangerous footing. Always be alert and careful.
11. After replacing parts, be sure all tools used are removed from the machine. Be sure all
bolts and nuts are tight. The loose connection of a rotating part could cause the part to fly
off with explosive force, causing serious damage to the equipment and possible injury to
the operator.
12. Always lower blade to the ground when the machine is unoccupied by the operator.
Serious bodily injury may result if arms are not in the lowered position when not
occupied.
13. Never allow unauthorized personnel or the general public into the work area.
14. The work area should be barricaded off to adequately keep all untrained persons out of
the work site. If an unauthorized person enters the work area, stop the machine
immediately and do not restart the machinery until they have left the work area.
15. Always allow a 200-foot buffer safety zone around all surface preparation activity.
16. Always run the Lightning in a well-ventilated area, with an approved OSHA air-
monitoring system in place at all times.
