Craftsman 917.288623 Operator's Manual page 5

• Remove gas-powered equipment from •
the truck ortrailer a nd refuel it onthe
ground, Ifthis isnot p ossible, then refuel o
such e quipment with aportable container,
rather than from a gasoline dispenser
nozzle.
• Keep t henozzle i ncontact with therim •
ofthefuel t ank orcontainer opening at
all t imes u ntil fueling iscomplete. Do not
use anozzle
l ock-open device.
• Iffuelisspilledon clothing, changecloth-
ing immediately.
• Neveroverfiltfuel tank, Replace gas cap
and tighten securely.
GENERAL SERVICE
• Never operate machine in ac]osed area,
• Keep all nuts and bolts tightto besurethe
equipment is in safe working condition.
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 de-
bris. Allow machineto cool before storing.
tf you strike a foreign object, stop and
inspectthe machine. Repair,ffnecessary',
before restarting.
Never make any adjustments or repairs
with the engine running.
Check grass catchercomponents andthe
discharge chute frequently and replace
with manufacturer's recommended parts,
when necessary.
Mower blades are sharp. Wrapthe blade
or wear gloves, and use extra caution
when servicing them.
Check brake operation frequently. Adjust
and service as required.
° Maintain or replace safetyand instruction
labels, as necessary.
• Be sure the area is clear of bystanders
before operating. Stop machine ffanyone
enters the area.
• Never carry passengers.
• Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely
necessary. Always lookdown 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 inthe 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 small children.
• Mow up and down slopes (15° Max'},not
across.
• Choose a low ground speed sothat you
will not have to stop or shift while on the
slope.
• Avoid starting, stopping, or turningon a
slope. Ifthetireslosetraction, disengage
the blades and proceed slowly straight
down the slope.
• If machine stops while going uphill,
disengage blades, shift into reverse and
back down slowly.
• Do notturn on slopes unless necessary,
and then, turn slowly and gradually
downhill, if possible.
• When loading or unloading this machine,
do not exceed the maximum recom-
mended operation angle of 15° .