Craftsman 917.28925 Operator's Manual page 4

II. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a malor factor related to toss 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 orifyou 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 h_de 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. T_res 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. Ifthetlres Iosetract_on, d_sengage
the blades and proceed slowly straEght
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 whde operahng machine
w_th 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 ff the edge caves in.
II!. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator
is net alert to the presence of children.
Children are often attracted to the machine
and the mow_ng actMty. Never assume
that children wtll remain where you last
saw them.
Keep children out of the mowing area
and _nthe 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 beh{nd
and down for small children.
Never carry children, even w_th the
blades shut off. They may fall off and
be seriously injured or interfere w=th safe
machine operation. Children who have
been given rides in the past may suddenly
appear in the mowing area for another
nde 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 w_th a machine that has a hitch
designed for towing. D o not attach towed
equipment except at the hitch poEnt.
Followthe manufacturer's recommenda-
tion for weight li mits for towed equipment
and towing on slopes,
Never allow children or others in or on
towed equipment.
On slopes, the we_giqt of the 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.
Gasofine 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 w_th
the engine running. Allow engine to cool
before refueling.
Never fuel the machine _ndoors,
Never store the machine or fuel container
where there _san open flame, spark, or
pilot hght such as on a water heater or
other appliances.
Never flit containers inside a vehicle or
on a truck or trailer bed with plastic liner.
Atways 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 th_s is not possible, then refuel
such equipment with a portable container,
rather than from a gasohne dispenser
nozzle.