Slope Operation; Safety Of Children; Safe Handling Of Gasoline - Craftsman CMXGCAQ108493 Operator's Manual

t. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine
and check immediately for the cause. Vibration is generally a
warning of trouble.
u. Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to a complete
stop before removing the grass catcher or unclogging the chute.
The cutting blade continues to rotate for a few seconds after the
blade control is released. Never place any part of the body in the
blade area until you are sure the blade has stopped rotating.
v. Never operate the string trimmer without proper shield, discharge
cover, grass catcher, blade control handle or other safety protective
devices in place and working. Never operate string trimmer with
damaged safety devices. Failure to do so can result in personal
injury.
w. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not
touch.
x. Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting height adjustment while
the engine is running.
y. Only use parts and accessories made for this string trimmer by
the manufacturer as listed in the Parts pages of this Operator's
Manual. Failure to do so can result in personal injury.
z. When starting engine, pull cord slowly until resistance is felt, then
pull rapidly. Rapid retraction of starter cord (kickback) will pull
hand and arm toward engine faster than you can let go. Broken
bones, fractures, bruises or sprains could result.
aa. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care
and good judgement.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents, which can
result in severe injury. Operation on slopes requires extra caution.
The string trimmer is heavy and can speed up when going downhill.
Be prepared to maintain control of the string trimmer. If you feel
uneasy on a slope, do not mow it. For your safety, use the slope
gauge included as part of this manual to measure slopes before
operating this string trimmer on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope is
greater than 15 degrees, do not mow it.
Do:
a. Operate across the face of slopes; never up and down to avoid loss
of control.
b. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes; turn
uphill not down.
c. Watch for holes, ruts, rocks, hidden objects, or bumps which can
cause you to slip or trip. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
d. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious
personal injury. If you feel you are losing your balance, release
the safety control bar immediately and the cutting line will stop
rotating within three (3) seconds.
Do Not:
a. Do not trim near drop-offs, ditches or embankments, because you
could lose your footing or balance.
b. Do not trim slopes greater than 15 degrees as shown on the slope
guide.
c. Do not trim on wet grass. Unstable footing could cause slipping.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence
of children. Children are often attracted to the string trimmer and
the trimming activity. They do not understand the dangers. Never
assume that children will remain where you last saw them.
a. Keep children out of the trimming area and under watchful care of
a responsible adult other than the operator.
b. Be alert and turn string trimmer off if a child enters the area.
c. Before and while moving backwards, look behind and down for
small children.
d. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, doorways,
shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure your vision of a
child who may run into the string trimmer.
e. Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer
burns from a hot muffler.
f. Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate the string
trimmer. Children 14 and over should read and understand the
instructions and safe operation practices in this manual and on the
string trimmer and be trained and supervised by an adult.
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. Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled
on yourself or your clothes which can ignite. Wash your skin and
change clothes immediately.
a. Use only an approved gasoline container.
b. Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed
with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away
from your vehicle before filling.
c. Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or trailer and
refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel such
equipment on a trailer with a portable container, rather than from
a gasoline dispenser nozzle.
d. Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or
container opening at all times until fueling is complete. Do not use
a nozzle lock-open device.
e. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of
ignition.
f. Never fuel the string trimmer indoors because flammable vapors
will accumulate in the area.
g. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while engine is hot or running.
Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.
h. Never over-fill fuel tank. To allow for expansion of the fuel, do not
fill above the bottom of the fuel tank neck.
i. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
j. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment. Move
the string trimmer to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting
engine.
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