Craftsman 917.271110 owner manual Slope Operation, Do not, Children, Service

•Tum offbladeswhennotmowing.

•Stop engine beforeremovinggrass catcheror uncloggingchute.

•Mow only in daylightor goodartificial light.

•Do not operatethe machinewhile under the influenceof alcoholor drugs.

•Watchfor trafficwhen operatingnear or crossingroadways.

•Use extra care when loadingor unload- ingthe machineintoa trailer or truck.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopesare a majorfactor relatedto loss- of-controland tipoveraccidents,which can resultin severe injuryor death.All slopesrequireextracaution.If you cannot back up the slopeor if you feel uneasyon it, do not mowit.

DO:

•Mow up and downslopes,not across.

•Removeobstaclessuchas rocks,tree limbs,etc.

•Watch for holes, ruts,or bumps.Uneven terraincould overtumthe machine.Tall grass can hide obstacles.

•Use slowspeed. Choosea low gear so that you willnot have to stopor shift whileon the slope.

•Followthe manufacturer'srecommen-

dationsfor wheel weightsor counter- weightsto improvestability.

•Use extracare withgrasscatchersor otherattachmentsThese. can change the stabilityof the machine.

•Keep all movementon the slopesslow and gradual. Do not make sudden changesin speed or direction.

•Avoidstartingor stoppingon a slope. If tires losetraction,disengagethe blades and proceedslowlystraightdownthe slope.

DO NOT:

•Do not turnon slopesunlessnecessary, and then, turnslowlyand gradually downhill,if possible.

•Do not mow near drop-offs,ditches,or embankments.The mowercouldsud- denlytum over if a wheel is overthe edge of a cliffor ditch,or if an edge caves in.

•Do z_ow,Qn wet grass.Reduced tractioncouldcause sliding.

•Do nottryto stabilizethe machineby puttingyourfoot on the ground.

•Do not use grasscatcheron steep slopes.

CHILDREN

Tragic accidentscan occurif the operator is notalert to the presenceof children. Childrenare oftenattractedto the

machineand the mowingactivity.Never assumethat childrenwill remainwhere

you lastsaw them.

•Keep childrenout ofthe mowingarea and underthe watchfulcare ofanother responsibleadult.

•Be alsrt and rum machineoff if children enterthe area.

•Beforeand when backing,lookbehind and downfor smallchildren.

•Never carrychildren.They may fall off and be seriouslyinjuredor interferewith safe machineoperation.

•Never allowchildrento operatethe machine.

•Use extra carewhen approachingblind

corners,shrubs,trees, or otherobjects that may obscurevision.

SERVICE

•Use extra care in handlinggasolineand otherfuels. They are flammable and vaporsare explosive.

Use onlyan approvedcontainer.

-Never removegas cap or add fuel withthe engine running. Allowen-

gineto coolbeforerefueling.Do not smoke.

-Never refuelthe machineindoors.

-Never storethe machineor fuel containerInsidewhere there is an openflame, suchas a water heater.

•Never run a machineinsidea closed area.

•Keep nutsand bolts,especiallyblade attachmentbolts,tightand keep equip- ment in goodcondition.

•Nevertamper withsafety devices. Check theirproperoperation regularly.

•Keep machinefree ofgrass, leaves,or otherdebrisbuild-up.Clean oilor fuel spillage.Allowmachineto coolbefore stodng.

•Stopand inspectthe equipmentif you strikean object.Repair,if necessary,