General Service - Craftsman 917.286900 Operator's Manual

• Removegas-poweredequipmentfrom
the truckor trailerand refuelit on the
ground.If this is not possible, t hen
refuelsuch equipmentwith a portable
container,ratherthanfrom a gasoline
dispensernozzle.
• Keepthe nozzlein contactwith the rim
ofthe fuel tank or containeropeningat
alltimes untilfuelingis complete,Do not
usea nozzlelock-opendevice.
, If fuel is spilledon clothing,change
clothingimmediately,
• Neveroverfillfue! tank.Replacegascap
andtightensecurely.
GENERALSERVICE
• Neveroperatemachine
in a closed area.
• Keep all nuts and bolts tight to be sure
the equipment is in safe working condi-
tion.
• Never tamper with safety devices.
Check their proper operation regularly,
• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or
other debris build-up. Clean oil or fuel
spillage and remove any fuel-soaked
debris, Allow machine to cool before
storing,
• If you strike a foreign object, stop and
inspect the machine. Repair, if neces-
sary, before restarting.
• Never make any adjustments or repairs
with the engine running.
• Check grass catcher components and
the discharge guard frequently and re-
place with manufacturer's recommended
parts, when necessary.
• Mower blades are sharp. Wrap the
blade or wear gloves, and use extra cau-
tion when servicing them.
• Check brake operation frequentIy. Adjust
and service as required,
• Maintain or replace safety and instruc-
tion labels, as necessary.
• Be sure the area is ctear of bystand-
ers before operating. Stop machine if
anyone enters the area.
• Never carry passengers.
• Do not mow in reverse unless abso-
lutely necessary. Always look down and
behind before and while backing.
• 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.
• 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 smal] children,
• Mow up and down slopes (15 ° Max), not
across,
° Choose a tow ground speed so that you
will not have to stop or shift while on the
slope°
• Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a
slope_ If the tires lose traction, disen-
gage the blades and proceed slowty
straight down the slope
• If machine stops while going uphill,
disengage blades, shift into reverse and
back down slowly,
• Do not turn on slopes unless neces-
sary, and then, turn slowly and gradually
downhill, if possible,