Rules For Safe Operation - Craftsman 917.255919 Owner's Manual

LOOK FOR THIS SYMBOL TO POINT
OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAU-
TIONS. IT MEANS - ATTENTION! BE-
COME ALERT! YOUR SAFETY IS IN-
VOLVED.
CAUTION: LOOK FOR THIS WORD 3"0 POINT OUT
IMPORTANT EQUIPMENT PRECAUTIONS.
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION
WARNING: This unitis equipped with an internal combustionengine and should not be us'edon or near any unimproved forest-covered,
brush.covered or grass covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrestet meeting applicable Iocal orarea
laws (if any). ff a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective workingorder be the operator)°
See your local Sears Authorized Service Centre for spark arrester, See Repair Parts page 34°
1o Know the controls and how to stop quickly, READ THIS
OPERATOR'S MANUAL and instructions furnished with
attachments.
2, Do not allow children 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,
4. Always wear substantialfootwear. Do not wear loose fitting
clothing that couldget 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 drivers seal
7. AIways get on or offyour tractorfrom the operator's laft hand
side.
8o Clear the work area of objects (wire, rocks, etco) which might
be picked up and thrown.
9. Disengage all attachment clutches before attempting to start
the engine°
10. Disangage powerto attachmants and stap the angine before
leaving the operators position°
11. Disengage powerto mower, stoP the engine, and disconnect
spark plug wire(s)from sparkplug(s) before cleaning, making
an adjustment, or repa#: Be careful to avoid touching hot
muffler or engine components°
12. Disengage powerto attachments when transporting or not in
USer
13. Take all possible precautions when leaving the vehicle
unattended. Disengage thepower-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 51.
1_ Reduce speed on slopes and make turns gradually toprevent
tipping or loss of control. Exercise extreme caution when
changing direction on slopes_
16. While _loing up or down slopes, place Gear Shift Control
Lever in 1st gear position to negotiate the slope without
stopping°
17, Nevermow 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-otis.
19o 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 part s while tractor' or mower are
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.
do Use counterweight or wheel weights when suggested in
owners manuals,
24. Watch out fortraffic when crossing or near roadways.
25_ When using any attachments, never direct discharge of
material toward bystanders nor allow anyone near the ve_
hic/e 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 add
gasoline to a running or hot engine or an engine that has
not been allowed to cool for several minutes after run.
ning. Never fill tank indoors, always clean up spilled
gasoline°
c. Open doors if the engine is tun in the garage - exhaust
fumes are dangerous. Do not run the engine indoors.
2Z Keep the vehicle and attachments in good operating condi-
tion, and keep safety devices in place and working°
28° Keep all nuts, bolts, 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 a
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,
ot excessive grease, Do not clean product while engine is
runmng.
31. Except for adjustments, DO NOT operate Engine ff air
cleaner or cover directly over carburetor air intake is re-
moved, Removal of such part could create a fire hazard.
32, Do not operate without a muffler, or tamper with exhaust
system. Damaged mufflers or spark attesters could create a
fire hazard, inspect pen'odicallyand replace if necessary.
33. The vehicle and attachments should be stopped and in-
spected for damage after striking a foreign object, and the
damage should be repaired before restarting and operating
the equipment.
34. Do not change the engine governor settings or overspeed the
engine; severe damage or injury may result.
35. When using the vehicle with mower, proceed as follows:
a, Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light.
bo Shut the Engine off when unclogging chute,
c. Check the blade mounting bolts forproper tightness at
frequent intervals.
36° Do not operate the mower' without either the entire grass
catcher, on mowers so equipped, or the the deflector shield
in place,
3Z Disengage power to mower before backing up. Do not mow
in reverse unless absolutely necessary and then only after
careful observation of the entire area behind the mower.
38. Undernorma/usagethegrasscatcherbagmateria/issubject
todeterioration and wear. it should be checked frequentlyfor
bag replacement Replacement bags should be checked to
ensure compliance with the original manufacturer's recom-
mendations or specifications,