Operation; Maintenance - Craftsman 917.377960 Owner's Manual

• Checkfueltankbefore stading engine.Do
notfillgastankindoors, w hentheengine is
running orwhenthe engine
is hoL Allowthe
engineto coolfor several minutesbefore
fillingthe gastank. Clean off any spilled
gasolinebeforestartingthe engine.
• Alwaysmake wheel heightadjustments
beforestartingyourmower. Never attempt
to do thiswhilethe engineis running.
• Mow only in daylightorgood artif'_allight.
OPERATION:
• Keep your eyes and mind on yourmower
and the area beingcut. Do net let other
interestsdistractyou.
• Do notmow wet or slipperygrass. Never
runwhile operatingyour mower. Alwaysbe
sure of yourfooting- keep a firm holdon the
handlesand walk.
• DOnot put hands or feet near orunder
rotatingparts. Keep clearof the discharge
opening at all times.
• Akvaysstopthe enginewheneveryou leave
or are netusing yourmower,or before
crossingdriveways,walks,roads,and any
gravel-coveredareas.
• Never directdischargeof materialtoward
bystandersnorallow anyone near the
mowerwhile you are operatingit.
• Beforecleaning,inspecting, o r repairing
your mower,stop the engine and make
absolutelysurethe bladeand all moving
parts have stopped. Then disconnect t he
spark plugwireand keep it away from the
spark plugto preventaccidentalstarling.
• DOnot continueto runyour mowerif you hit
a foreign objecL Followthe procedure
outlinedabove, then repairany damage
before restarting and operatingyour mower.
• DO net changethe governorsettingsor
overspeedthe engine. Enginedamage or
personalinjurymay result.
• Do net operateyourmower if it vibrates
abnormally. Excessivevibration is an
indication of damage; stop the engine,
safelycheckforthe cause of vibration and
repair as required. '
• Do net runthe engineindoors. Exhaust
fumes aredangerous.
• Never cutgrass by pullingthe mower
towardsyou. Mow acrossthe tace of
slopes, never up and down or you might
loseyourfooting. Do not mow excesaively
steep slopes. Use cautionwhen operating
the moweron uneventerrainorwhen
changing directions - maintaingoodfooting.
• Never operateyour mowerwithoutproper
guards,plates, grasscatcherorother safety
devices in place.
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE:
• Check the blade and the enginemounting
boltsoftento be surethey are tightened
properly.
• Check all bolts,nutsand screwsat frequent
intervalsfor propertightness to be sure
mower is in safe workingcondition.
• Keep allsafety devices in place and
worldng.
• To reduce tirehazard, keep the enginefree
of grass,leaves or excessivegreaseand oil.
• Check grasscatcheroftenfor deterioration
" and wear and replaceworn bags. Use only
replacemeptbags thatare recommended
byand comply spedr t s ofthe
manufacturerof your mower.
• Always keep a sharp bladeon yourmower.
• Allow engineto cool beforestoring in any
enclosure.
• Never store mower withfuel in _e tank
insidea buildingwhere fumes may reachan
open flame or an ignition sourcesuchas a
hotwater heater, space heater,clothes
dryer,etc.
Look for this symbol to point out important
safety precautions. It means CAUTION!!!
BECOME ALERT!!! YOUR SAFETY IS
INVOLVED.
CAUTION: Always disconnect spark plug
wire and place wire where it cannot
contact spark plug in order to prevent
accidental starting when setting up,
transporting, adjusting or making repairs.
WARNING: The engine exhaust from this
product contains chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer, birth
defects, or other reproductive harm.
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