Safety Instructions; Children; Operation; General Operation - Craftsman 247.370480 Operator's Manual

This symbolpointsout importantsafetyinstructions
which,if not followed,couldendangerthe personal
safetyand/or propertyof yourselfand others.Read
and followall instructionsin this manualbefore
attemptingto operatethis machine.Failureto complywith these
instructionsmay resultin personalinjury.Whenyou seethis symbol,
HEEDITS WARNING!
Your Responsibility: Restrictthe useof this powermachineto
personswhoread,understand,and followthe warningsand instruc-
tions inthis manualand on the machine.
This machinewas builtto be operatedaccordingto the rulesfor
safe operationin this manual.As with anytype of powerequipment,
carelessnessor error on the partof the operatorcan resultin serious
injury.This machineis capableof amputatinghandsand feet and
throwingobjects.Failureto observethefollowingsafetyinstructions
could resultin seriousinjury or death.
Whenusingelectriclawnmowers,basic safetyprecautionsshould
alwaysbe followedto reducethe risk of fire, electricshock,and
personalinjury.These basicprecautionsincludethe following:
Children
Tragicaccidentscan occur if operatoris not alert to presenceof children.Chil-
dren areoften attractedto mowerandmowingactivity. T heydo not understand
the dangers.Neverassumethat childrenwill remainwhereyou lastsawthem.
,, Keepchildren out of the mowingarea and underwatchfulcare of a
responsibleadult otherthanthe operator.
,, Be alert andturn moweroff if a child entersthe area.
Beforeandwhile movingbackwards,look behindanddown for small
children.
,, Useextremecare when approachingblind corners,doorways,shrubs,
trees, or otherobjectsthat may obscureyourvisionof a childwho may
run into the mower.
Neverallow childrenunder 14yearsold to operatea power mower.
Children14years old and overshouldread and understandoperation
instructionsand safetyrulesin this manualand shouldbe trainedand
supervisedbya parent.
Operation
General Operation:
,, Readthis operator'smanual carefullyin its entiretybefore attempting
to assemblethis machine.Read,understand,andfollow all instructions
on the machineand inthe manual(s) beforeoperation.Be completely
familiarwiththe controlsand the properuse of this machinebefore
operatingit. Keepthis manualin a safe place forfuture andregular
referenceand for orderingreplacementparts.
,, This machineis a precision pieceof powerequipment,not a plaything.
Therefore,exerciseextremecautionat all times.Your unit has been
designedto performonejob: to mowgrass. Do not use it for anyother
purpose.
,, Don'tforce lawn mower- it will do the job betterandsafer at the ratefor
whichit wasdesigned.
,, Neverallow childrenunder 14yearsold to operatethis machine.
Children14years old and overshouldread and understandthe instruc-
tions inthis manualand shouldbe trainedandsupervisedby a parent.
Onlyresponsibleindividualswho arefamiliar withthese rulesof safe
operationshouldbe allowedto usethis machine.
,, Thoroughlyinspectthe area wherethe equipmentis to be used.Remove
all stones,sticks,wire, bones,toys andotherforeign objectswhich could
betripped overor picked up andthrown bythe blade.Thrownobjects
can causeserious personalinjury.Planyour mowingpatternto avoid
dischargeof materialtowardroads,sidewalks,bystandersand the like.
Also, avoid dischargingmaterialagainsta wall or obstructionwhichmay
causedischarged materialto ricochet backtoward the operator.
,, To helpavoid bladecontactor a thrownobject injury,stay in operator
zone behindhandlesand keepchildren,bystanders,helpersand pets at
least75 feet from mowerwhile it is inoperation.Stopmachineif anyone
entersarea.
,, Alwayswearsafetyglassesor safetygoggles duringoperationand while
performingan adjustmentor repairto protectyoureyes. Thrownobjects
which ricochetcan causeserious injury to the eyes.
,, Wear sturdy,rough-soledwork shoesandclose-fittingslacksandshirts.
Shirts and pantsthat coverthe armsand legs andsteel-toedshoes
are recommended.Neveroperatethis machinein barefeet, sandals,
slipperyor light weight (e.g.canvas) shoes.
,, Donot put handsor feetnear rotating partsor undercutting deck.
Contactwith bladecan amputatehandsandfeet.
,, A missingor damageddischargecover can causebladecontact or
thrown objectinjuries.
,, Manyinjuriesoccur as a resultof the mower beingpulledoverthe foot
duringa fall causedby slippingor tripping.Do not hold on to the mowerif
you are falling; releasethe handleimmediately.
,, Neverpull the mowerbacktoward you whileyou are walking.If you must
backthe mowerawayfrom a wall or obstructionfirst look down and
behindto avoid trippingandthenfollow thesesteps:
,, Step backfrom mowerto fullyextend your arms.
,, Be sure you are well balancedwith surefooting.
,, Pullthe mowerbackslowly, no morethan half waytoward you.
,, Repeatthese steps as needed.
,, Donot operatethe mowerwhile underthe influenceof alcoholor drugs.
,, Stay alert- Watch whatyou are doing. Usecommonsense.Do not
operate lawnmowerwhen you are tired.
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