Craftsman 917.258920 Owner's Manual page 2

SAFETY RULES
Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers
IMPORTANT: THiS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROWING OBJECTS+
FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH+
I, GENERAL OPERATION III. CHILDREN
• Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the
and on the machine before starting. .......... presence of children+ Children are often attracted to the
• Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar with the machine and the mowing activity. Never assume that
instructions, to operate the machine.
children will remain where you last saw them.
o Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, etc.,
which could be picked up and thrown by the blade+
° Keep children out of the mowing area and under the watchful
care of another responsible adult.
° Be sure the areais clear ofother people before mowing. Stop
machine if anyone enters the area. ° Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area.
• Never carry passengers+ ° Before and when backing, look behind and down for small
children.
= Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary. Always
look down and behind before and while backing+ ,, Never carry children. They may fall off and be seriously
injured or interfere with safe machine operation°
,, Be aware of the mower discharge direction and do not point
it at anyone+ Do not operate the mower without either the • Never allow children to operate the machine.
entire grass catcher or the guard in place+ • Use extra care when approaching blind comers, shrubs,
• Slow down before turning, trees, or other+ objects that may obscure vision+
° Never leave a running machine unattended. Always turn off IV. SERVICE
blades, set parking brake, stop engine, and remove keys
before dismounting, ,, Use extra care in handlinggasoline and other fuels+ They are
° Tum off blades when not mowing+ flammable and vapors are explosive.
° Stop engine before removing grass catcher or'unclogging Use only an approved container.
chute= Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine
. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light, running. Allow engine to cool before refueling+ Do not
smoke+
° Do not operate the machine while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs+ Never refuel the machine indoors.
= Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing roadways. Never' store the machine or fuel container inside where
= Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine into there is an open flame, such as a water heater+
a trailer or truck+ • Never run a machine inside a closed area.
= Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade attachment bolts, tight
II. SLOPE OPERATION and keep equipment in good condition+
° Never tamper with safety devices+ Check their proper'
Slopes are a major factor related to loss+of-control and operation regularly.
tipover accidents, which can result in severe injury ordeath. • Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up.
All slopes require extra caution, tf you cannot back up the Clean oil or fuel spillage+ Allow machine to cool before
slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it. storing.
DO: ,, Stop and inspect the equipment if you strike an object+
° Mow up and down slopes, not across. Repair', if necessary, before restarting+
,, Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine running.
,, Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.
• Grass catchercomponents are subject towear; damage, and
o Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could deterioration, which could expose moving parts or allow
ovedum the machine. Taft grass can hide obstacles+ objects to be thrown. Frequently check components and
° Use slow speed+ Choose a low gear'so that youwill not have replace with manufacturer'srecommended parts, when nec-
to stop or shift while on the slope, essary+
° Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for wheel • Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade(s) or
weights or counterweights to improve stability+ wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them,
° Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments+ • Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and service as
These can change the stability of the machine, required.
° makeKeepallm°vement°ntheslopessl°wandgraduaLsudden changes in speed or direction. Donot ............ i .......... Look for thls symbol to point out impOr- I
° Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, I tant safety precautions. It means !
disengage the blades and proceed slowly straightdown the _ J ! i CAUTIONIII BECOME ALERTlll YOUR I
slope. " " " SAFETY IS INVOLVED,
I
DO NOT: ...........................
° Donot turnon slopes unlessnecessary, and then, turnslowly CAUTION: Always disconnect spark plug I
and gradually downhill, tf possible, wireand placewirewhereit cannot contact !
• Do not mow near drop+offs,ditches, or embankments. The spark plug In order to prevent accidental i
mower could suddenly tum over tfa wheel is over the edge starting when setting up, transporUng, |
of a cliffor ditch, or if an edge caves in. adjusting or making repairs, I
• Do not mow on wet grass+ Reduced traction could cause
.... wA,.+.G A
sliding+ ""'"'"'"'" ' ""' "
° Do not try to stabilize the.machine by putting your foot on the
ground.
° Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes+
The
engine exhaust from this product
con-
tains
chemicals known to the State of Califor-
nia to cause cancer, birth defects, or other
reproductive harm.
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