Craftsman 917.386410 owner manual Preparation, Operation, Maintenance and Storage

IER143,970002	o	The blade rums when the motor is running.
	.	Avoid accidental starting Do not play with the

switch button and Operator Presence Control Bar when not in use.

PREPARATION:

o Always thoroughly check the area to be mowed and clear it of all stones, sticks, wires,

bones, and other foreign objects. These objects will be thrown by the blade and can cause severe injury.

o Always wear safety glasses or eye shields when Stading and while using your mower.

• Dress properly. Do not operate mower when barefoot orweafing open sandals. Wear only solid shoes with good traction when mowing.

o Always make wheel height adjustments before starting your mower. Never attempt to do this while the mower is running

o Mow only in daylight or good artificial light

o Do Net insert fuse into mower until it is ready to be used or charged.

oProtect your lungs. Wear a face or dust mask if mowing operation is dusty.

°Remove adjusting wrenches. Form habit of checking to see that adjusting wrenches are

removed from mower before turning it on

OPERATION:

o Keep your eyes and mind on your mower

and the area being cut. Do not let other interests distract you

°Do not mow wet or slippery grass Never run while operating your mower Always be sure of your footing - keep a firm hold on the handles and walk.

oDo not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts. Keep clear of the discharge opening at all times

°Always stop the motor wheneve_ you leave or are not using your mower, or before crossing driveways, walks, roads, and any gravel-covered areas.

•Never direct discharge el material toward bystanders nor allow anyone near the mower while you are

operating it

-Before cleaning, inspecting, or re* pairing your mower, stop the motor and make absolutely sure the blade

and all moving pads have stopped Then

remove the fuse to prevent accidental starting_

,,Do not continue to run your mower if you hit a foreign object. Follow

the procedure outlined above_ then repair any damage before restarting and operating

your mower.

•Do not operate your mower if it vibrates abnormally. Excessive vibration is an indication of damage; stop the motor and safely check for the cause of vibration. Repair as required.

•Do not run the motor indoors.

. Never cut grass by pulling the mower towards you. Mow across the face of slopes, never up and down or you might lose your footing Do nol mow excessively steep slopes Use caution when operating the mower on uneven terrain or when changing directions - maintain good footing.

o Never operate your mower without proper guards, plates, grass catcher or other safety devices in place.

°Don'tforce the mower. It will do the job better and safer at the rate of which it is designed. When mowing on rough sulfeces or in high grass, select a higher cutting posilien.

°Don'toverreach Keep proper footing and balance at all time.

oStay alert Watch what you are doing and use common sense Do not

operate mower when you are tired Do not run or rush when mowing.

•Drugs, alcohol, medication Do not operate mower while under the

inlluence of drugs, alcohol, or any medication

o Danger: Keep away from blade area Be aware of the risk of injury Keep hands and feet away from the blade DQ NOT attempt to remove cut material or unclog debris from under mower deck while blade is moving If mower stalls, release operator presence control bar and wait for blade to stop rotalingo Remove fuse

before attempting Io remove anything from under mower deck. Thor-

oughly inspect and have any damage repaired before restarting and operating mower.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE:

°Check the blade and the motor mounting bolts often to be sure they

are tightened properly

-Check all bolts, nuts and screws at frequent inlervals for proper tightness

to be sure mower is in safe working condition.

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