Craftsman 917.270711 owner manual Slope Operation, Children, Do not, Service

•Tum off blades when not mowing.

•Stol_engine before removing grass catcher or unclogging chute.

•Mow only in daylight or good artificial

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•Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

•Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing roadways.

•Use extra care when loading or unload- ing.the machine into a trm'le_or truck.

SLOPE OPERATION '_

Slopes are a major factor related to loss- of-control and tipover accidents, which can result in severe injury or death. All sl.opes require extra caution. If you cannot back up th-e-_s-l_peo_ iT you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it.

DO:

•Mow up and down slopes, not across.

•Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.

•Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain_could overtum the machine. Tall

grass Can hide obstacles.

•Use slow speed. Choose a low gear so that you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope.

•Follow the manufacturer's recommen- dations forwheel weights or counter- weights to improve stability.

•Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments. These can change the stability of the machine.

•Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction.

•Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If --tires lose traction, disengage the blades

and proceed slowly strai.ght down the slope.

DO NOT:

•Do nottum on slopes unless necessary, and then, tum slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.

•Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments. The mower could sud- denly turn over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge caves in.

•Do not mow on:wet grass, Reduced traet'N_'ffP_uld-_use sfiding.

•Do notby to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground.

•Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes.

CHILDREN •

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator

is not alert to the presence of children.

Children are often attracted to the

•machine and the mowing activity. Never assume that children will remain where

you last saw them. --

-Keep children out of the mowing area

•and under the watchful care of another

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•Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area.

•Before and when backing, look behind and down for small children. •

•Never carry children. They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe machine operation.

•Never allow children to operate the machine.

•Use extra care when approaching blind comers, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.

SERVICE

•Useextra cam in handling gasoline and other fuels. They are flammable and vapors am explosive.

-Use only an approved container.

-Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow en- gine to cool before refueling. DO not smoke.

-Never rehJel the machine indoors.

-Never store the machine or fuel container inside where there is an open flame,such as a water heater.

•Never run a machine inside a closed area.

•Keep nuts and belts, especially blade attachment bolts, tight and keep equip- ment in good condition.

•Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.

•Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean oH or fuel spillage. Allow machine to cool before

•" stodng,.

•Stop and.inspect the.equipment H you strike an object. Repair, ifnecessary, before restading,

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