Rules For Safe Operation - Sears 917.253540 Owner's Manual

RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION
LOOK FOR THIS SYMBOL TO POINT OUT IMPORTANT
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. IT MEANS·-ATTENTION! BECOME
ALERT! YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED.
1. Know the controls and how to stop quickly. READ THE
OWNER'S MANUAL.
2. Do not allow children to operate the vehicle. Do not allow
adults to operate it without proper instruction.
3. Do not carry passengers. Keep children and pets a safe dis·
tance away.
4. Always wear substantial footwear. Do not wear loose fitting
clothing that could get caught in moving parts.
5. Keep your eyes and mind on your tractor. mower and the
area being cut. Don't let other interests distract you.
6. Do not attempt to operate your tractor or mower when
not in drivers seat.
7. Always get on or off your tractor from the operators left
hand side.
8. Clear the work area of objects which might be picked up
and thrown.
9. Disengage all attachment clutches and shift into neut.:al be·
fore attempting to start the engine.
10. Disengage power to
atta~hments
and stop the engine be·
fore leaving the operators position.
11. Disengage power to mower. stop the engine and disconnect
spark plug wire(s) from spark plug(s) before cleaning,
making an adjustment or repairs.
12. Disengage power to attachments when transporting or not
in use.
13.
Take all possible precautions when leaving the vehicle un-
attended, such as disengaging the power-take-off, lowering
the attachments, shifting into neutral, setting the parking
brake, stopping the engine, and removing the key.
14. Do not stop or start suddenly when going uphill or down·
"'-' hil6 Mow up and dowri the face of slopes (not greater than
15 ) ; never across the face.
15. Reduce speed on slopes and make turns gradually to pre·
vent tipping or loss of control. Exercise extreme caution
when changing direction on slopes.
16. Do not shift gears while going up or down slopes. Choose
a gear low enough to negotiate the slope without stopping
and shifting gears. To reduce speed, move throttle lever
to slow.
17. Never mow in wet or slippery grass, when traction is un·
sure or at a speed which could cause a skid.
18. Stay alert for holes in the terrain and other hidden hazards.
19. 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
deliberately run tractor or mower into or over any foreign
object.
21. Never shift gears until tractor comes to a stop.
22. Never place hands or feet under the mower, in the deflector
(discharge chute) or near any moving parts while tractor
or mower are running. Always keep clear of discharge chute.
. 1 .
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.
d. Use
count~rweigh ts
or wheel weights when suggested in
this owners manual.
24. Watch out for traffic when crossing or near roadways.
25. When using any attachments, never direct discharge of
material toward bystanders nor allow anyone near the ve·
hicle while in operation.
26. Handle
gasoline with care · it is highly flammable.
a. Use approved gasoline containers.
b. Never remove the cap of the fuel tank or add gasoline to
a running or hot engine, or fi ll the fuel tank indoors.
Wipe up spilled gasoline.
c. Open doors if the engine is run in the garage · exhaust
fumes are dangerous. Do not run the engine indoors.
27. Keep the vehicle and attachments in good operating con·
dition, and keep safety devices in place.
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 an y enclosure.
30. To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine free of grass, leaves
or excessive grease.
31. The vehicle and attachments should be stopped and inspect·
ed for damage after striking a foreign object, and the dam·
age should be repaired before restarting and operating the
equipment.
32. Do not change the engine governor settings or overspeed
the engine.
33. When using the vehicle with mower, proceed as follows:
a. Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light.
b. Never make a cutting height adjustment while the engine
is running if the operator must dismount to do so.
c. Shut the engine off when
removing the grass catcher or
unclogging chute.
d. Check the blade mounting bolts for proper tightness at
frequent intervals.
34. Check the grass catcher bags frequently for wear or deterio·
ration. Replace with new bags for safety protection.