Craftsman 917.28856 Operator's Manual page 4

!1. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to toss of
control and tip-over accidents, which can
result in severe injury or death, Operation
on all s{opes requires extra caution. If you
cannot back upthe 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
s]ope.
• Donot mow onwet grass. Tires may lose
traction.
Always keep the machine in gear when
going downslopes. Donotshiftto neutral
and coast downhill,
• Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a
slope. Ifthetires Iosetraction, disengage
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 otherattachments;
they can affect the stability of the ma-
chine, 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.
• 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 sma, children.
- Never carrychildren, even withthe blades
shutoff. They mayfall offand beseriously
injured or interfere with safe machine
operation. Children who havebeen given
rides inthe 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 ma-
chine.
• 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 attachtowed
equipment except at the hitch point.
• Followthe manufacturer's recommenda-
tion for weight limitsfor towed equipment
and towing on slopes.
• Never allow children or others in or on
towed equipment,
• On slopes, theweight ofthetowed equip-
ment 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 dam-
age, use extreme care in handling gasoline.
IIh CHILDREN Gasoline is extremely flammable and the
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J_WARNING: CHILDRENCAr-.] BE INJURED
•
Extinguish aiicigareffes cigars_pil_es; .....
BYTHIS EQUIPMENT, T he American Acade- and other sources of ignition.
my of Pediatrics recommends that children
be a minimum of 12 year of age before op-
erating a pedestrian controlled lawn mower
and a minimum of 16 years of age before
operating a riding lawn mower.
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.
• 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 storethe machine orfuel container
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.