Slope Operation; Towing; Children; Safe Handling Of Gasoline - Craftsman 917.28705 Operator's Manual

II. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of
control and tip-over accidents, which can
result in severe injury or death. Opera-
tion on all slopes requires extra caution. If
you cannot back up the slope or if you feel
uneasy on it, do not mow it.
, Mow up and down slopes, not across.
• Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or
other hidden objects. Uneven terrain
could overturn the machine. Tall grass
can hide obstacles.
• Choose a low ground speed so that you
will not have to stop or shift while on the
slope.
, Do not mow on wet grass. Tires may
lose traction.
Always keep the machine in gear when
going down slopes. Do not shift to neu-
tral and coast downhill.
• Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a
slope. If the tires lose traction, disen-
gage the blades and proceed slowly
straight down the slope.
, Keep all movement on the slopes slow
and gradual. Do not make sudden
changes in speed or direction, which
could cause the machine to roll over.
, Use extra care while operating machine
with grass catchers or other attach-
ments; they can affect the stability of the
machine. Do no use on steep slopes.
, Do not try to stabilize the machine by
putting your foot on the ground.
, Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches,
or embankments. The machine could
suddenly roll over if a wheel is over the
edge or if the edge caves in.
ill. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator
is not alert to the presence of children.
Children are often attracted to the machine
and the mowing activity. Never assume
that children will remain where you last
saw them.
• Keep children out of the mowing area
and in the watchful care of a responsible
adult other than the operator.
• Be alert and turn machine off if a child
enters the area.
, Before and while backing, look behind
and down for small children.
• Never carry children, even with the
blades shut off. They may fall off and
be seriously injured or interfere with
safe machine operation. Children who
have been given rides in the past may
suddenly appear in the mowing area for
another ride and be run over or backed
over by the machine.
• Never allow children to operate the
machine.
, Use extra care when approaching blind
corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects
that may block your view of a child.
IV. TOWING
, Tow only with a machine that has a
hitch designed for towing. Do not attach
towed equipment except at the hitch
point.
• Follow the manufacturer's recommenda-
tion for weight limits for towed equip-
ment and towing on slopes.
• Never allow children or others in or on
towed equipment.
• On slopes, the weight of the towed
equipment may cause loss of traction
and loss of control.
, Travel slowly and allow extra distance to
stop.
V. SERVICE
SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE
To avoid personal injury or property
damage, use extreme care in handling
gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable
and the vapors are explosive.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes,
and other sources of ignition.
• Use only approved gasoline container.
• Never remove gas cap or add fuel with
the engine running. Allow engine to cool
before refueling.
• Never fuel the machine indoors.
, Never store the machine or fuel con-
tainer where there is an open flame,
spark, or pilot light such as on a water
heater or other appliances.
• Never fill containers inside a vehicle or
on a truck or trailer bed with plastic liner.
Always place containers on the ground
away from your vehicle when filling.