Safety Instructions; General Operation - Craftsman 247.288852 Operator's Manual

This symbolpointsout importantsafetyinstructionswhich,if not
followed,couldendangerthepersonalsafetyand/orpropertyof
yourselfand others. Readand followall instructionsin this manual
beforeattemptingto operatethis machine.Failureto complywith
these instructionsmay resultin personalinjury.Whenyou seethis
symbol,HEEDITS WARNING!
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
EngineExhaust,someof its constituents,and certainvehicle
componentscontainor emit chemicalsknownto Stateof California
to cause cancerand birthdefects or other reproductive harm.
Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainlead and
leadcompounds,chemicalsknownto the Stateof California to
cause cancerand reproductiveharm.Washhandsafter handling.
This machinewas builtto be operatedaccordingto the safeopera-
tion practicesin this manual.As with anytype of powerequipment,
carelessnessor error on the partof the operatorcan resultin serious
injury.This machineis capableof amputatingfingers,hands,toes
and feet and throwingdebris.Failureto observethe followingsafety
instructionscouldresultin seriousinjuryor death.
Your Responsibility--Restrict the useof this powermachineto
personswho read,understand and follow thewarningsand instruc-
tions in this manualand on the machine.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
GENERAL OPERATION
• Read,understand,and followall instructionson the machineand
in themanual(s)beforeattemptingto assembleand operate.
Keepthis manualin a safe placefor futureand regularreference
and for orderingreplacement p arts.
• Be familiarwith all controlsand their properoperation.Knowhow
to stop the machineand disengagethemquickly.
• Neverallowchildrenunder 14 yearsold to operatethis machine.
Children14 yearsold and over shouldreadand understandthe
operationinstructionsand safety rulesin this manualand should
be trainedand supervisedbya parent.
• Neverallowadultsto operatethis machinewithoutproper
instruction.
• Tohelp avoidbladecontactor a thrownobjectinjury, keep
bystanders,helpers,childrenand pets at least 75 feet fromthe
machinewhile it is in operation.Stopmachineif anyoneenters
the area.
• Thoroughlyinspectthe area wherethe equipmentis to be used.
Removeall stones,sticks,wire, bones,toys,and otherforeign
objectswhich couldbe pickedup and thrownby the blade(s).
Thrownobjectscan causeseriouspersonalinjury.
• Planyour mowingpatternto avoiddischargeof materialtoward
roads,sidewalks,bystandersand the like.Also, avoiddischarg-
ing materialagainsta wall or obstructionwhich maycause
dischargedmaterialto ricochetback towardthe operator.
• Alwayswear safetyglassesor safetygogglesduring operation
and while performing an adjustmentor repairto protectyoureyes.
Thrownobjectswhich ricochetcancause seriousinjuryto the
eyes.
• Wearsturdy,rough-soledwork shoesand close-fittingslacksand
shirts.Loosefittingclothesand jewelry canbe caughtin movable
parts.Neveroperatethis machinein bare feet or sandals.
• Be awareof the mowerand attachmentdischargedirectionand
do not pointit at anyone.Donot operatethe mowerwithoutthe
dischargecover or entiregrass catcherin its properplace.
Donot put handsor feet near rotatingpartsor underthe cutting
deck. Contactwith the blade(s)can amputatehandsand feet.
A missingor damageddischargecovercan causeblade contact
or thrownobject injuries.
• Stoptheblade(s)whencrossinggraveldrives,walks,or roads
and while notcuttinggrass.
• Watchfor trafficwhenoperatingnear or crossingroadways. T his
machineis not intendedfor useon any public roadway.
• Donot operatethe machinewhile underthe influenceof alcohol
or drugs.
• Mowonly in daylightor good artificiallight.
Nevercarry passengers.
• Disengage blade(s)beforeshiftinginto reverse.Backup slowly.
Alwayslookdownand behindbeforeand while backingto avoida
back-over a ccident.
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