Craftsman 944.361330 Owner's Manual page 3

SERVICE NOTES
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DO:
• Mow across the face of slopes: nev er up
and down. Exercise extreme caution when
changing direction on slopes.
• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree
limbs, etc.
• Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Tall grass
can hide obstacles.
DO NOT:
• Do not trim near drop-offs, ditches or
embankments. The operator could lose
footing or balance.
• Do not trim excessively steep slopes.
• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced footing
could cause slipping.
III. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the op er a tor is
not alert to the presence of children. Children
are often attracted to the ma chine and the
mowing activity. Never assume that children
will remain where you last saw them.
• Keep children out of the trimming area
and under the watchful care of an oth er
re spon si ble adult.
• Be alert and turn machine off if chil dren
enter the area.
• Before and while walking back wards, look
behind and down for small chil dren.
• Never allow children to operate ma-
chine.
• Use extra care when approaching blind
corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects
that may obscure vision.
IV. SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE
Use extreme care in handling gasoline.
Gasoline is extremely fl ammable and the
vapors are explosive.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and
other sources of ignition.
• Use only an approved container.
• Never remove gas cap or add fuel with
the engine running. Allow engine to cool
before refueling.
• Never refuel the machine indoors.
• Never store the machine or fuel container
where there is an open fl ame, spark or pilot
light such as a water heater or on other
appliances.
WARNING: This lawn mower is equipped with an internal com bus tion engine and
should not be used on or near any un im proved forest-covered, brush-covered or
grass-cov ered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark
arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it
should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.
A spark arrester for the muffl er is available through your nearest Sears Service Cen-
tre (See the REPAIR PARTS section of this manual).
• Never fi ll containers inside a vehicle, on
a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner.
Always place containers on the ground
away from your vehicle before fi lling.
• Remove gas-powered equipment from the
truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If
this is not possible, then refuel such equip-
ment with a portable container, rather than
from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.
• 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.
• If fuel is spilled on clothing, change clothing
immediately.
• Never overfi ll fuel tank. Replace gas cap
and tighten securely.
V. GENERAL SERVICE
• Never run machine inside a closed area.
• Never make adjustments or repairs with
the engine (motor) running. Dis con nect
the spark plug wire, and keep the wire
away from the plug to prevent ac ci den tal
starting.
• Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade at-
tachment bolts, tight and keep equipment
in good condition.
• Never tamper with safety devices. Check
their proper operation reg u lar ly.
• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or
other debris build-up. Clean oil or fuel spill-
age. Allow machine to cool before storing.
• Stop and inspect the equipment if you
strike an object. Repair, if nec es sary,
before restarting.
• Never attempt to make wheel height ad-
justments while the engine is running.
• Grass catcher components are sub ject to
wear, dam age, and de te ri o ra tion, which
could expose moving parts or allow objects
to be thrown. Frequently check com po -
nents and replace with man u fac tur er's
recommended parts, when necessary.
• Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap
the blade(s) or wear gloves, and use extra
caution when ser vic ing them.
• Do not change the engine governor setting
or overspeed the engine.
• Maintain or replace safety and instruction
labels, as necessary.
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