Slope Operation - Craftsman 917.270824 Owner's Manual

parkingbrake, stop engine,and re-
movekeys beforedismounting,
• Turn off bladeswhen not mowing.
• Stop engine beforeremovinggrass
catcheror uncloggingchute
• Mow only in daylightor good artificial
light,
o Do not operatethe machinewhile un-
der the influenceof alcoholor drugs
o Watchfor traffic whenoperatingnear or
crossing roadways
• Use extra care whenloadingor un-
loadingthe machineinto a traileror
truck
o Data indicatesthat operators,age 60
yearsand above,are involvedin a
large percentageof riding mower-
related injuries.These operators
shouldevaluatetheir ability to operate
the riding mowersafelyenoughto
protectthemselvesand othersfrom
serious injury
SLOPEOPERATION
Slopesare a majorfactorrelatedto loss-
of-controland tipoveraccidents,which
sanresult in severeinjuryor death.All
slopesrequireextra caution.If you cannot
backup the slope or if youfeel uneasyon
it, do not mow it
DO:
, Mowup anddown slopes,not across
Removeobstaclessuchas rocks,tree
limbs,etc.
Watchfor holes,ruts or bumps.Un-
eventerrain couldoverturnthe ma-
chine Tall grasscan hide obstacles
Useslow speed Choosea low gearso
thatyou will not haveto stop or shift
while on the slope.
Followthe manufacturer's recommen-
dationsfor wheelweightsor counter-
weightsto improvestability
Useextra carewith grasscatchersor
otherattachmentsThesecan change
the stabilityof the machine
Keepall movementon the slopes slow
and gradual Do not makesudden
changesin speed or direction
Avoidstartingor stoppingon a slope If
tires losetraction, disengagethe
bladesand proceedslowly straight
downthe slope
:)ONOT:
Do notturn on slopes unless neces-
sary, and then, turn slowly and gradual- 3
ly downhill, if possible.
° Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or
embankments. The mower could sud-
denly turn over if a wheel is over the
edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge
caves in
° Do not mow on wet grass Reduced
traction could cause sliding
. Do nottry to stabilize the machine by
putting your foot on the ground
o Do not use grass catcher on steep
slopes,
CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator
is not alert to the presence of children,
Children are often attracted to the ma-
chine and the mowing activity Never as-
sume that children will remain where you
last saw them
° Keep children out of the mowing area
and under the watchful care of another
responsible adult,
o Be alert and turn machine off if children
enter the area.
° Before and when backing, look behind
and down for small children
o Never carry children They may fall off
and be seriously injured or interfere
with safe machine operation.
. Never allow children to operate the ma-
chine
. Use extra care when approaching blind
corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects
that may obscure vision
SERVICE
• Use extra care in handling gasoline
and other fuels They are flammable
and vapors are explosive.
Use only an approved container
Never remove gas cap or add fuel
with the engine running Allow en-
gine to cool before refueling Do not
smoke.
Never refuel the machine indoors
Never store the machine or fuel
container inside where there is an
open flame, such as a water heater
. Never run a machine inside a closed
area
° Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade
attachment belts, tight and keep equip-
ment in good condition_
° Never tamper with safety devices
Check their proper operation regularly