Craftsman 12AVP2R3391 Operator's Manual page 3

a. Step back from mower to fully extend your arms.
b. Be sure you are well balanced with sure footing.
c. Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way
toward you.
d. Repeat these steps as needed.
4. Do not engage the drive control (if equipped) while
starting engine.
5. The blade control is a safety device. Never attempt to
bypass its operation. Doing so makes the safety device
inoperative and may result in personal injury through
contact with the rotating blade. The blade control must
operate freely in both directions and automatically
return to the disengaged (off) position when released.
The cutting blade continues to rotate for up to three
seconds after the blade control is released. Never place
any part of the body in the blade area until you are
certain the blade has stopped rotating.
6. If the mower should start to vibrate abnormally, stop
the engine and check immediately for the cause.
Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.
7. Never operate mower without the proper trail shield,
discharge cover, grass catcher, blade control or other
safety protective devices in place and working. Never
operate mower with damaged safety devices. Failure
to do so can result in personal injury.
8. 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.
9. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under
the cutting deck. Contact with the blade(s) can
amputate hands and feet.
10. Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden
objects. Uneven terrain or hidden objects could cause a
slip and/or trip accident. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
11. Your mower is designed to cut normal residential grass
of a height no more than 7" (17.5 cm). Do not attempt
to mow through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g., pasture)
or piles of dry leaves.
12. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of
material toward roads, sidewalks, helpers and the
like. Avoid discharging material against a wall or
obstruction which may cause discharged material to
ricochet back toward the operator.
13. 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 up to three seconds after the blade control is
released. Never place any part of the body in the blade
area until you are certain the engine is off and the
blade has stopped rotating.
SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
14. A missing or damaged discharge door, chute or mulch
plug can cause blade contact or thrown object injuries.
15. Do not operate the mower without the discharge door,
chute, mulch plug or the entire grass catcher in its
proper place.
16. Stop the mower blade when crossing gravel drives,
walks, or roads and while not cutting grass.
17. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
18. Do not operate the mower while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
19. The muffler and engine become very hot and can cause
serious burn injuries. Do not touch. Allow the mower
to cool for at least five minutes before storing or
attempting any service.
20. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated
area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an
odorless and deadly gas.
CHILDREN
1. Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to
the presence of children. Children are often attracted
to the mower and the mowing activity. They do not
understand the dangers. Never assume that children
will remain where you last saw them.
2. Keep bystanders, children and pets inside while
the mower is in operation under watchful care of a
responsible adult other than the operator. Stop mower
if anyone enters the area.
3. Be alert and turn mower off if a child or bystander
enters the area.
4. Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate
this mower. Children 14 and over should read and
understand the instructions and safe operation
practices in this manual and on the mower and should
be trained and supervised by an adult.
5. This mower is a precision piece of power equipment,
not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution
at all times. This mower has been designed to perform
one job: to mow grass. Do not use it for any other
purpose.
6. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners,
doorways, shrubs, trees or other objects that may block
your vision of a child who may run into the path of the
mower.
7. Keep children away from hot or running engines. They
can suffer burns from a hot engine or muffler.
8. If your mower is equipped with an Electric Start Push
Key, remove the key when the mower is unattended to
prevent unauthorized operation. Make certain the key
is inaccessible to small children.
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