General Service - Craftsman 917.288460 Operator's Manual

GENERAL SERVICE
• Never operate machine in a closed area.
• Keep all nuts and bolts tight to be sure the
equipment is in safe working condition.
• Never tamper with safety devices. Check
their proper operation regularly.
• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or
other debris build-up. Clean oil or fuelspill-
age and remove any fuel-soaked debris.
Allow machine to cool before storing.
• If you strike a foreign object, stop and
inspect the machine. Repair, if necessary,
before restarting.
• Never make any adjustments or repairs
with the engine running.
• Check grass catcher components and the
discharge guard frequently and replace
with manufacturer's recommended parts,
when necessary.
• Mower blades are sharp. Wrap the blade or
wear gloves, and use extra caution when
servicing them.
• Check brake operation frequently. Adjust
and service as required.
• Maintain or replace safety and instruction
labels, as necessary.
• Be sure the area is clear of bystanders
before operating. Stop machine if anyone
enters the area.
• Never carry passengers.
• Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely
necessary. Always look down and behind
before and while backing.
• Never carry children, even with the blades
shut off. They may fall off and be seriously
injured or interfere with safe machine
operation. Children who have been given
rides in the past may suddenly appear in
the mowing area for another ride and be
run over or backed over by the machine.
• Keep children out of the mowing area and
in the 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 behind and
down for small children.
• Mow up and down slopes (15 ° Max), not
across,
• Choose a Iowground speed sothatyou will
not have to stop or shift while on the slope.
• Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a
slope. If the tires lose traction, disengage
the blades and proceed slowly straight
down the slope.
• If machine stops while going uphill, disen-
gage blades, shift into reverse and back
down slowly.
• Do not turn on slopes unless necessary, and
then, turn slowly and gradually downhill, if
possible.
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