Craftsman 917.272057 owner manual II. Slope, General Operation, Do not

IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and

throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in

serious

injury

or

death.

I. GENERAL

OPERATION

II. SLOPE

OPERATION

•

Read,

understand,

and

follow

all

Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-

instructions in the manual and on the

control and tipover accidents, which can

machine

before

starting.

result

in

severe

injury

or death.

All

slopes

•

Only

allow responsible adults, who are

require

extra caution.

If you

cannot

back

up

familiar with the instructions, to operate

the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not

the

machine.

mow it.

•

Clear

the

area of

objects

such

as

DO:

rocks, toys, wire, etc., which could be

• Mow up and down slopes, not across.

picked up and thrown by the blade.

• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree

•

Be

sure

the

area

is clear

of other

limbs,

etc.

people

before

mowing.

Stop

machine

• Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps.

if anyone enters the area.

Uneven terrain could overturn the

•

Never

carry

passengers.

•

Do

not

mow

in

reverse

unless

abso-

machine.

Tall grass

can

hide

obstacles.

lutely

necessary.

Always

look

down

•

Use

slow

speed.

Choose

a

low

gear

so

and

behind

before and

while

backing.

that

you

will

not

have to stop

or shift

•

Be

aware

of

the

mower

discharge

while

on

the

slope.

direction

and

do

not point

it at

anyone.

•

Follow

the manufacturer's

recommen-

Do not

operate

the

mower

without

dations

for

wheel

weights

or

counter-

either the entire grass catcher or the

weights

to

improve

stability.

guard

in place.

•

Use

extra

care

with

grass

catchers

or

•

Slow

down

before

turning.

other

attachments.

These

can

change

•

Never

leave

a

running

machine

the stability of the machine.

unattended.

Always

turn

off

blades,

set

• Keep all movement on the slopes slow

parking brake, stop engine, and

and

gradual

Do not

make

sudden

remove

keys

before

dismounting.

changes in speed or direction.

•

Turn

off

blades

when

not

mowing.

• Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If

•

Stop

engine

before

removing

grass

tires

lose traction,

disengage

the

catcher

or

unclogging

chute.

blades and proceed slowly straight

•

Mow

only

in

daylight

or good

artificial

down

the slope.

light.

DO NOT:

•

Do not

operate

the

machine

while

under

the

influence

of

alcohol

or

drugs.

•

Do

not

turn

on

slopes

unless

neces-

•

Watch for traffic when operating

near or

sary,

and then,

turn

slowly

and

gradu-

crossing

roadways.

ally

downhill,

if

possible.

•

Use

extra

care

when

loading

or

•

Do

not

mow near drop-offs,

ditches,

or

unloading

the

machine

into a trailer

or

embankments.

The mower

could

truck.

suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the

•

Data

indicates

that

operators,

age

60

edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge

years and above, are involved in a

caves

in.

large percentage of riding mower-

• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced

related

injuries.

These

operators

traction

could cause

sliding.

should evaluate their ability to operate

• Do not try to stabilize the machine by

the riding mower safely enough to

putting your foot on the ground.

protect themselves and others from

•

Do

not

use

grass

catcher

on

steep

serious

injury.

slopes.

•

Keep

machine

free

of

grass,

leaves

or

other debris build-up which can touch
hot exhaust / engine parts and bum. Do
not allow the mower deck to plow leaves
or other debris which can cause build-
up to occur. Clean any oil or fuel
spillage before operating or storing the
machine. Allow machine to cool before
storage.	3