Children; Service; Towing; Safe Handling Of Gasoline - Craftsman 247.288812 Operator's Manual

CHILDREN
Tragicaccidentscanoccur ifthe operatoris notalert to the presence
of children.Childrenare often attractedto the machineand the mowing
activity.They do notunderstandthe dangers.Neverassumethat
childrenwill remainwhereyou last sawthem.
• Keepchildrenout of the mowingareaand inwatchfulcare of a
responsibleadultotherthanthe operator.
• Be alert and turnmachineoff ifa childentersthe area.
• Beforeand whilebacking,lookbehindand downfor small
children.
Nevercarry children,evenwith the blade(s)shut off.They may
fall off and be seriouslyinjured or interfere with safe machine
operation.
• Use extremecarewhenapproachingblind corners,doorways,
shrubs,trees or otherobjectsthat may block yourvisionof a child
whomay run intothe machine.
Toavoidback-overaccidents,alwaysdisengagethe cutting
blade(s)beforeshiftingintoReverse.If equipped,the "Reverse
CautionMode"(bladesoperatewhilemachineridesin reverse)
shouldnotbe usedwhenchildrenor othersare around.
Keepchildrenaway from hotor runningengines.They cansuffer
burnsfroma hotmuffler.
• Removekeywhenmachineisunattendedto preventunauthorized
operation.
Neverallowchildrenunder 14 yearsof age to operatethis machine.
Children14 and overshouldreadand understandthe instructions and
safeoperationpracticesin this manualand on the machineand should
be trainedand supervisedbyan adult.
TOWING
Towonlywith a machinethat hasa hitch designedfor towing.Do
not attachtowedequipment e xceptat the hitch point.
Followthe manufacturers recommendation forweight limitsfor
towedequipmentand towingon slopes.For recommendations,
call 1-800-659-5917.
Neverallowchildrenor othersin or on towedequipment.
On slopes,theweightof thetowed equipmentmaycause lossof
tractionand loss of control.
Alwaysuseextra cautionwhentowingwith a machinecapableof
makingtight turns (e.g."zero-turn"ride-onmower). Makewide
turnsto avoidjack-knifing.
Travelslowlyand allowextradistanceto stop.
Do notcoastdownhill.
SERVICE
SafeHandlingof Gasoline
Toavoidpersonalinjury or propertydamageuse extremecarein
handlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammableand the vaporsare
explosive.Seriouspersonalinjury canoccur whengasolineis spilled
on yourselfor your clotheswhich can ignite. W ashyourskin and
changeclothesimmediately.
• Useonly an approvedgasolinecontainer.
Neverfill containersinside a vehicleor on a truckor trailer bed
with a plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainerson the groundaway
from yourvehiclebeforefilling.
Whenpractical,removegas-powered equipmentfrom the truck
or trailerand refueliton theground.If this isnot possible,then
refuelsuch equipmenton a trailerwith a portablecontainer,rather
than froma gasolinedispensernozzle.
Keepthe nozzleincontactwith the rim of the fueltank or
containeropeningat all timesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donot use
a nozzlelock-opendevice.
Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesand othersourcesof
ignition.
• Neverfuel machineindoors.
Neverremovegascap or add fuelwhilethe engineis hotor run-
ning.Allowengineto coolat least two minutesbeforerefueling.
Neveroverfill fuel tank. Filltank to no morethan 1/2 inchbelow
bottomof filler neckto allowspace forfuel expansion.
• Replacegasolinecap and tightensecurely.
• If gasolineis spilled,wipeitoff the engineand equipment.Move
machineto anotherarea.Wait 5 minutesbeforestartingthe
engine.
• To reducefire hazards,keepmachinefree of grass,leaves,or
otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanup oil or fuel spillageand removeany
fuel soakeddebris.
• Neverstorethe machineor fuelcontainerinside wherethere isan
open flame,sparkor pilotlight as on a waterheater,spaceheater,
furnace,clothesdryeror othergasappliances.
Allowa machineto coolat least five minutesbeforestoring.