Craftsman 917.273642 manual III. Children, II. Slope Operation, Service Safe Handling of Gasoline

II. SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip-over accidents, which can result in severe injury or death. Opera- tion on all slopes requires extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it.

•Mow up and down slopes, not across.

•Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects. Uneven terrain

could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

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

•Do not mow on wet grass. Tires may lose traction.

Always keep the machine in gear when going down slopes. Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill.

•Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a slope. If the tires lose traction, dis- engage the blades and proceed slowly straight down the slope.

•Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do not make sudden

changes in speed or direction, which could cause the machine to roll over.

•Use extra care while operating ma- chine with grass catchers or other at- tachments; they can affect the stability of the machine. Do no use on steep slopes.

•Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground.

•Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches,

or embankments. The machine could suddenly roll over if a wheel is over the edge or if the edge caves in.

III.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 in the watchful care of a respon- sible 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.

•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.

•Never allow children to operate the machine.

•Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may block your view of a child.

IV. TOWING

•Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for towing. Do not at- tach towed equipment except at the hitch point.

•Follow the manufacturer's recommen- dation for weight limits for towed equip- ment and towing on slopes.

•Never allow children or others in or on towed equipment.

•On slopes, the weight of the towed equipment may cause loss of traction and loss of control.

•Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop.

V.SERVICE

SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE

To avoid personal injury or property damage, use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.

•Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition.

•Use only approved gasoline container.

•Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow engine to cool before refueling.

•Never fuel the machine indoors.

•Never store the machine or fuel con- tainer where there is an open flame, spark, or pilot light such as on a water heater or other appliances.

•Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed with plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle when filling.