Safety Instructions; General Operation - Craftsman 247.377300 Operator's Manual

Thissymbolpointsout importantsafety instructionswhich,if not
followed, couldendangerthe personalsafetyand/or property of
yourself and others.Readandfollow all instructions in this manual
beforeattempting to operatethis machine.Failureto complywith these
instructions m ay resultin personalinjury.Whenyou seethis symbol, HEED
ITSWARNING!
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
Engine Exhaust, s omeof itsconstituents,and certain vehicle components
containor emit chemicalsknown toStateof Californiato causecancerand
birth defectsor other reproductive h arm.
Thismachinewasbuilt to beoperatedaccordingto the safeoperation
practicesin this manual.Aswith anytype of powerequipment,
carelessness o r error on the part of the operatorcanresultin seriousinjury.
Thismachineiscapableof amputating fingers, hands,toesand feet and
throwing debris. Failureto observethe following safety instructions c ould
resultin seriousinjuryor death.
Your Responsibility--Restrict the useof this power machineto
personswho read,understandandfollow the warnings and instructions i n
this manualandon the machine.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
GENERAL OPERATION
Read thisoperator's manualcarefullyinitsentiretybefore attemptingto
assemble t his machine. R ead, u nderstand, andfollowall instructions on the
machine andin the manuals before operation. K eep thismanual i na safe
place for futureandregularreference andfororderingreplacement parts
Becompletely familiarwith the controls andthe properuseofthismachine
beforeoperatingit.
Thismachine isa precision pieceof powerequipment, n ota plaything.
Therefore, exercise e xtremecautionat all times.Thismachine hasbeen
designed to performonejob: to mowgrass.Donot useit foranyother
purpose.
Never a llowchildrenunder14yearsof ageto operate this machine. C hildren
14andovershouldreadandunderstand the instructions andsafeoperation
practices inthis manual a ndonthe machine andshouldbetrainedand
supervised b yanadult.
Onlyresponsible i ndividuals whoarefamiliarwith theserulesof safe
operation shouldbeallowedto usethis machine.
Thoroughly inspect the areawherethe equipmentisto beused.Remove a ll
stones, s ticks,wire, bones, t oysandotherforeignobjects, w hichcouldbe
trippedoveror pickedupandthrownbythe blade.Thrown objectscancause
serious personal i njury.
Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischarge o f material t oward roads,
sidewalks, b ystanders a ndthe like.Also, a voiddischarging material a gainst
awall or obstruction, w hichmaycause discharged material t o ricochetback
towardthe operator.
Tohelpavoidbladecontact o r a thrownobjectinjury, s tayin operator zone
behindhandles andkeepchildren, b ystanders, helpers andpetsat least75
feetfrommowerwhileit isinoperation. S topmachine ifanyoneentersarea.
Always wearsafetyglasses o r safetygoggles duringoperationandwhile
performinganadjustment o r repairto protectyoureyes. T hrown objects
whichricochetcancause serious injury to the eyes.
Wear s turdy,rough-soled workshoes andclose-fittingslacks andshirts.
Shirtsandpantsthatcoverthe armsandlegsandsteel-toedshoes are
recommended. Never o perate thismachineinbarefeet,sandals, s lipperyor
light-weight(e.g.canvas) s hoes.
Donot put hands or feetnearrotatingpartsor underthe cuttingdeck.
Contact w ith bladecanamputatefingers,hands, t oesandfeet.
Amissing or damaged discharge c overcancause bladecontactor thrown
objectinjuries.
Manyinjuries o ccurasa resultofthe mowerbeingpulledoverthe foot
duringafall caused byslippingor tripping.Donot hold onto the mowerif
youarefalling:release the handleimmediately.
Never p ull the mowerbacktowardyouwhileyouarewalking.If youmust
backthe mowerawayfroma wallor obstructionfirst lookdownandbehind
to avoidtrippingandthenfollowthesesteps:
a. Stepbackfrom mowerto fullyextendyourarmsforward.
b. Besureyouarewell balanced with surefooting.
c. Pullthe mowerbackslowly,no morethanhalfway towardyou.
d. Repeat t hesestepsasneeded.
Donot operate the mowerwhileunderthe influence o f alcohol o r drugs.
Donot engage the self-propelled mechanism onmachines s oequipped
whilestartingengine.
Thebladecontrolhandleisasafetydevice. N everattemptto bypass i ts
operation. D oing somakes the safetydevice inoperative andmayresultin
personal injury throughcontact w ith the rotatingblade. T hebladecontrol
handlemustoperateeasilyinbothdirectionsandautomatically returnto the
disengaged positionwhenreleased.
Never o peratethe mowerin wetgrass. A lways be sureof yourfooting. A
slipandfall cancause serious personal injury. I fyoufeelyouarelosingyour
footing,release the bladecontrolhandleimmediately andthe bladewill
stoprotatingwithin threeseconds.
Mowonlyindaylightor goodartificiallight. Walk,neverrun.
Stopthe bladewhencrossing graveldrives, w alksor roads.