General Operation - Craftsman 917203831 Operator's Manual

_(_,DANGER: This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and
throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result
in serious injury or death.
A(_WARNING: In orderto preventacciden-
taf starting when setting up, transporting,
adjusting or making repairs, always discon-
nect spark plug wire and place wire where
it cannot contact spark plug,
,_WARNING: Do not coast down a hill in
neutral, you may lose control of the tractor.
A(_WARNING: Tow only the attachments
that are recommended by and comply with
specifications of the manufacturer of your
tractor. Use common sense when towing.
Operate only at the lowest possible speed
when on a slope. Too heavy of a load, while
on a slope, is dangerous. Tires can lose
traction with the ground and cause you to
lose control of your tractor.
_I_WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of
its constituents, and certain vehicle compo-
nents contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
_,WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and
related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known tothe State of
California to cause cancer and birth defects
or other reproductive harm. Wash hands
after handling,
I. CHILDREN
_WARNING! CHILDREN CAN BE IN-
JURED BYTHIS EQUtPMENT. TheAmeri-
can Academy of Pediatrics recommends
that children be a minimum of 12 year of
age before operating a pedestrian controlled
lawn mower and a minimum of 16 years of
age before operating a riding lawn mower.
A(_WARNING! CHILDREN CAN BE
SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KfLLED BY
THIS EQUIPMENT. Carefully read and
fol[ow all of the safety instructions below.
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.
- Keep children out of the mowing area
and inthe 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.
• Never carry children, even with the
blades shut off, They may fall off and
be seriously injured or interferewith safe
machine operation. Children who have
been given rides inthe past maysuddenly
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 extreme caution when approaching
blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other
objects that may block your view of a
child.
II. GENERAL OPERATION
• Read, understand,and follow all instruc-
tions on the machine and in the manual
before starting.
• Do not put hands or feet near rotating
partsor underthe machine. Keep clear
of the discharge opening at all times.
• Only allow responsibleadults, who are
familiar with the instructions, to operate
the machine.
• Clear the area of objects such as rocks,
toys, wire, etc., which could be picked
up and thrown by the blades,
• Ensure the area is clear of bystanders
beforeoperating.Stopmachineifanyone
enters the area,
• Never carry passengers.
• Do notmow in reverse unlessabsolutely
necessary. Always look downand behind
before and while backing.
• Never directdischarged materialtoward
anyone, Avoid discharging material
against a walt or obstruction. Material
may ricochet back toward the operator.
Stop the blades when crossing gravel
surfaces.
- Do notoperatemachine withouttheentire
grasscatcher,discharge chute, or other
safety devices in place and working.