Craftsman 917.254940 Owner's Manual page 2

A
i
LOOK FOR THIS SYMBOL TO POINT |
OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAU-
I
TIONS. IT MEANS - ATTENTION! BE-
COME ALERT! YOUR SAFETY IS IN k
VOLVED_
Jui i1,,,i,i i i Ill I I J I II
CAUTION: LOOK FOR THIS WORD TO POINT OUT
IMPORTAN'I EQUIPMENT PRECAUTIONS,
NOTE: LOOK FOR THIS WORD TO POINT OUT IM-
PORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE OPERATION
AND PERFORMANCE OF YOUR TRACTOR
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION
WARNING: This unitis equipped Withan internal combustionengine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest covered,
brush covered orgrass covered land unless the engine s exhaustsystem is equipped with a spark arrestor meetingapplicable localor area
laws (if any). If a spark arrestor is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator, (See REPAIR PARTS for par1
number identification)_
in the State of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 ofthe California Public Resources Code),,Other States may have simitm
laws. Federal taws apply on federal lands,.
1. Know the controls and how to stop quickly. READ THIS
OWNER'S MANUAL and instructions furnished with attach-
ments.
2 Do not aglowchildren to operate the machine. Do not allow
adults to operate it without proper instruction.
3,. Do not carry passengers,. Do not mow when children and
others are around,.
4o Always wear substantialfootwear. Do not wear loose fitting
clothing that could get caught in moving parts.,
5. Keep your eyes and mind on your tractor, mower, and the
area being cut.,Do not let other interests distract you,.
6. Do not attempt to operate your tractoror mower when not in
the driver's seat
74 Always get on or offyour tractorfrom the operator's left hand
side.
8., Clear the work area of objects (wire, rocks,elc ) which might
be picked up and thrown..
9_ Disengage all attachment clutches before attempting to start
the engine.
10o Disengage powerto attachments and stop the engine before
leaving the operator's position=
11. Disengage power to mower, stop the engine, and disconnect
spark plug wire(s) from spark plug(s) before cleaning, making
an adjustment, or repair. Be careful to avoid touching hot
muffler or engine components.
12. Disengage power to attachments when transporting or not in
use,
!3 Take all possible precautions when leaving the vehicle
unattended. Disengage the power take-off, lower the attach-
ments, shift into neutral, set the parking brake, stop the
engine, and remove the key..
14. Do not stop or start suddenly when going uphill or downhill
Mow up and down the face of slopes (not greater than 15'_),
never across the face. Refer to page 55.
t5 Reduce speed on slopes and make turns gradually toprevent
tipping or loss of control. Exercise extreme caution when
changing direction on slopes
16. While going up or down slopes, place gear shift control lever
in tst gear position to negotiate the slope without stopping,.
17. Never mow in wet or slippery grass, when traction is unsure,
or at a speed which could cause a skid.
18. Stay alert for holes in the terrain and other hidden hazards..
Keep away from drop-offs.
19. Do not drive too close to creeks, ditches, and public high-
ways
20.. Exercise special care when mowing around fixed objects in
order to prevent the blades from striking them. Never delib-
erately run tractor or mower into or over any foreign objects.
21. Never shift gears until tractor comes to a stop.,
22 Never place hands or feet under the mower, in discharge
chute, or near any moving parts while tractor or mower ts
running. Always keep clear of discharge chute
23 Use care when pulling loads or using heavy equipment.
a Use only approved drawbar hitch points
b. Limit loads to those you can safely control
c, Do not turn sharply Use care when backing.
d. Use counterweight or wheel weights when suggested in
owner's manual
24. Watch out for traffic when crossing or near roadways.
25, When using any attachments, never direct discharge ot
material toward bystanders nor attow anyone near the ve
hicle while in operation.
26. Handle gasoline with care - it is highly flammable,
a., Use approved gasoline containers..
b.. Never remove the fuel cap of the fuel tank or ado
gasoline to a running or hot engine or an engine that ha_
not been allowed to cool for several minutes after run
ning.. Never fill tank indoors Always clean up spi_fec
gasoline
c Open doors it the engine is run in the garage - exhaus
fumes are dangerous,.Do not run the engine indoors.
27, Keep the vehicle and attachments in good operating condi
lion, and keep safety devices in place and working.
28. Keep all nuts, belts, and screws tight to be sure the equip
ment is in safe working condition.
29., Never store the equipment with gasoline in the tank inside
building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark
Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.
30° To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine free of grass, leaves
or excessive grease,. Do not clean product while engine i:
running,
3!_ Except for adjustments, DO NOToperate engine if air cleane
or Dover directly over carburetor air intake is removed
Removal of such part could create a fire hazard.
32_ Do not operate without a muffler, or tamper with exhaus
system Damaged mufflers or spark arrestors could create
fire hazard. Inspect periodicallyand replace if necessary.
33 The vehicle and attachments should be stopped and in
spected for damage after striking a foreign object, and th_
damage should be repaired before restarting and operatin!
the equipment..
34. Do not change the engine governor setSngs or overspeed th,
engine; severe damage or injurymay result..
35. When using the vehicle with mower, proceed as follows I
a. Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light.
b. Shut the engine off when unclogging chute.
c. Check the blade mounting bolts for proper tightness
frequent intervals,,
36 Do not operate the mower without the entire grass catche
on mowers so equipped, or the deflector shield in place,.
37 Disengage power to mower before backing up..Do not me'
in reverse unless absolutely necessary and then only aftt
careful observation of the entire area behind the mower.
38, Under normal usagethe grasscatcher bag m ateria]issubje!
to deterioration and wear. It should be checked frequentlyfi
bag replacement Replacement bags should be checked I
ensurecompfiance with the original manufacturer's recor_
mendations or specifications
2