Craftsman 28948 Operator's Manual page 4

il. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of
control and tip-over accidents, which can
result in severe injury or death. Operation
on all slopes requires extra caution. If you
cannot back up the slope or ifyou feel uneasy
on it, do not mow it.
• Mow up and down slopes, not across.
, Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or
other hidden objects. Uneven terrain
could overturn the machine. Tall grass
can hide obstacles.
• Choose a low ground speed so thai you
will not have to stop or shift while on the
slope.
• Do not mow on wet grass.Tires may lose
traction.
Always keep the machine in gear when
going down slopes. Do not shiftto neutral
and coast downhill.
• Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a
slope. Ifthetires Iosetraction, disengage
the blades and proceed slowly straight
down the slope.
• Keep all movement on the slopes slow
and gradual. Do not make sudden
changes in speed or direction, which
could cause the machine to roll over.
• Use extracare while operating machine
with grass catchers or other attachments;
they can affect the stability of the ma-
chine. Do no use on steep slopes.
. Do not try to stabilize the machine by
putting your foot on the ground.
• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches,
or embankments. The machine could
suddenly roll over if a wheel is over the
edge or if the edge caves inn
Ill. CHILDREN
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 in the 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_
4
• Never carry children, even with the
blades shut off. They may fall off and
be seriously injured or interfere with safe
machine operation. Children who have
been given rides in the past may suddenly
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 extra care when approaching blind
corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects
that may block your view of a child.
IV. TOWING
• Tow only with a machine that has a hitch
designed for towing. Do not attach towed
equipment except at the hitch point.
• Foilowthemanufacturer's recommenda-
tion for weight limits for towed equipment
and towing on slopes.
• Never allow children or others in or on
towed equipmenL
° On slopes,theweightofthe towed equip-
ment may cause loss of traction and loss
of control.
• Travel slowly and allow extra distance to
stop.
V. SERVICE
SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE
To avoid personal injury or property dam-
age, use extreme care in handling gasoline.
Gasoline is extremely flammable and the
vapors are explosive.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes,
and other sources of ignition.
• Use only approved gasoline container.
• Never remove gas cap or add fuel with
the engine running. Allow engine to cool
before refueling.
• Never fuelthe machine indoors.
. Neverstore themachine orfuelcontainer
where there is an open flame, spark, or
pilot light such as on a water heater or
other appliances, o
• Never fill containers inside a vehicle or
on a truck or trailer bed with plastic liner.
Always place containers on the ground
away from your vehicle when filling.
• Remove gas-powered equipment from
the truck or trailer and refuel it on the
ground. If this is not possible, then refuel
such equipmentwith a portable container,
rather than from a gasoline dispenser
nozzle°