Craftsman 917.275031 owner manual serious, machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles, 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-

instructions in the manual and on the

of-control and tipover accidents, which

machine

before

starting.

can result in severe injury or death. All

• Only allow responsible adults, who are

slopes require extra caution.

If you

familiar with the instructions, to operate

cannot back up the slope or if you feel

the machine.

uneasy on it, do not 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.

machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

• Do not mow in reverse unless abso-

• Use slow speed. Choose a low gear

lutely necessary. Always look down

so that you will not have to stop or shift

and behind before and while backing.

while on the slope.

• Be aware of the mower discharge

• Follow the manufacturer's recommen-

direction and do not point it at anyone.

dations for wheel weights or counter-

Do not operate the mower without

weights

to improve

stability.

either the entire grass catcher or the

• Use extra care with grass catchers or

guard

in place.

other attachments. These can change

• Slow down before turning.

the stability of the machine.

• Never leave a running machine

• Keep all movement on the slopes slow

unattended. Always turn off blades, set

and gradual. Do not make sudden

parking brake, stop engine, and

changes in speed or direction.

remove

keys before dismounting.

•

Avoid starting

or stopping

on a slope. If

• Turn off blades when not mowing.

tires lose traction, disengage the

• Stop engine before removing grass

blades and proceed slowly straight

catcher

or unclogging

chute.

down the

slope.

•

Mow

only

in daylight

or good

artificial

DO NOT:

light.

•

Do not turn on slopes unless neces-

•

Do not operate the machine

while

under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

sary, and then, turn slowly and gradu-

ally downhill,

if possible.

• Watch for traffic when operating near or

•

Do not mow near drop--offs, ditches, or

crossing

roadways.

• Use extra care when loading or

embankments.

The mower

could

suddenly

turn over if a wheel

is over

unloading

the machine into a trailer or

truck.

the edge

of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge

• Data indicates that operators, age 60

caves in.

•

Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced

years

and above, are

involved in a

large

percentage

of riding mower-

traction

could

cause

sliding.

related

injuries.

These operators

•

Do not

try to stabilize

the

machine by

should

evaluate

their

ability to operate

putting your foot on the ground.

the riding mower safely enough to

•

Do not use grass catcher

on steep

protect themselves and others from

slopes.

serious

injury.

3