General Service - Craftsman 917.253540 Operator's Manual

GENERAL
SERVICE
• Never operate machine in aclosed area.
• Keep all nuts and bolts tightto be sure the
equipment is in safe working condition.
• Nevertamperwith safety devices. Check
their proper operation regularly.
• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or
other debris build-up. Clean oil or fuel
spillage and remove any fuel-soaked de-
bris. Allow machine to cool before storing.
• If you strike a foreign object, stop and
inspectthe machine. Repair, if necessary,
before restarting.
• Never make any adjustments or repairs
with the engine running.
• Checkgrass catchercomponentsandthe
discharge guard frequently and replace
with manufacturer's recommended parts,
when necessary.
• Mower blades are sharp. Wrapthe blade
or wear gloves, and use extra caution
when servicing them.
• Check brake operation frequently.Adjust
and service as required.
• Maintain or replace safety and instruction
labels, as necessary.
• Be sure the area is clear of bystanders
before operating. Stop machine if anyone
enters the area.
• Never carry passengers.
• Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely
necessary. Always look down and behind
before and while backing.
• 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.
• 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.
• Mow up and down slopes (15 ° Max), not
across.
• Choose a low ground speed so that you
will not have to stop or shift while on the
slope.
• Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a
slope. If the tires lose traction, disengage
the blades and proceed slowly straight
down the slope.
• If machine stops while going uphill,
disengage blades, shift into reverse and
back down slowly.
• Do notturn on slopes unless necessary,
and then, turn slowly and gradually
downhill, if possible.
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