Slope Operation - Craftsman 917.275760 Owner's Manual

II. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factorrelated to loss of
controland tip-over accidents,which can
result in severeinjury or death. Opera-
tion on all slopes requiresextra caution. If
you cannot back up the slope or if you feel
uneasy on it, do not mow it.
• Mowup and down slopes, not across.
• Watchfor holes, ruts, bumps,rocks,or
other hidden objects. Uneventerrain
could overturn the machine. Tallgrass
can hide obstacles.
• Choose a low ground speed so that
you will not haveto stop or shift while
on the slope.
• Do not mow on wet grass.Tires may
losetraction.
Alwayskeepthe machinein gearwhen
going down slopes.Do not shiftto
neutraland coast downhill.
• Avoidstarting, stopping,or turning on
a slope. If the tires losetraction, dis-
engagethe blades and proceedslowly
straightdown the slope.
• Keepall movementon the slopes slow
and gradual. Do not makesudden
changesin speed or direction,which
could causethe machineto roll over.
• Useextra care while operatingma-
chine with grass catchersor other at-
tachments;they can affectthe stability
of the machine.Do no use on steep
slopes.
• Do not try to stabilizethe machine by
puttingyour footon the ground.
• Do not mow near drop-offs,ditches,
or embankments. The machinecould
suddenlyroll over if a wheel is over the
edge or if the edge cavesin.
III. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator
is not alert to the presence of children.
Children are often attractedto the machine
and the mowing activity. Never assume
that children will remain where you last
saw them.
• Keepchildrenout of the mowing area
and in the watchfulcare of a respon-
sible adultother than the operator.
• Be alert and turn machine off if a child
enters the area.
• Beforeandwhile backing,look behind
and down for small children.
• Nevercarry children,evenwith the
bladesshut off. They may fall off and
be seriouslyinjuredor interferewith
safe machineoperation.Childrenwho
havebeen given rides in the past may
suddenlyappear in the mowing area
for another ride and be run over or
backedover by the machine.
• Neverallow childrento operate the
machine.
• Use extra care when approachingblind
corners,shrubs, trees,or other objects
that may blockyour view of a child.
IV, TOWI NG
• Tow only with a machine that has a
hitch designed for towing. Do not at-
tach towed equipment except at the
hitch point.
• Followthe manufacturer's recom-
mendation for weight limits for towed
equipment 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.