Craftsman 917.276361 Owner's Manual page 4

I1. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of
control and tip-over accidents, which can
result in severe injury or death. Opera-
tion on all slopes requires extra caution. If
you cannot back up the slope or if you 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 that
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 shift to
neutral and coast downhill.
• Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on
a slope. If the tires lose traction, dis-
engage 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 extra care while operating ma-
chine with grass catchers or other at-
tachments; they can affect the stability
of the machine. 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 in.
III, 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 respon-
sible 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 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
machine.
• 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 at-
tach towed equipment except at the
hitch point.
• Follow the manufacturer's recommen-
dation for weight limits for towed equip-
ment and towing on slopes.
• Never allow children or others in or on
towed equipment.
• On slopes, the weight of the towed
equipment 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
damage, 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 fuel the machine indoors.
• Never store the machine or fuel con-
tainer where there is an open flame,
spark, or pilot light such as on a water
heater or other appliances.
• 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.