Craftsman 917.370741 General, II. Slope Operation, III Children, IV. Safe Handling Gasoline

I. GENERAL

OPERATION

•

Always

wear

safety

goggles

or safety

•

Read,

understand,

and

follow

all

glasses

with

side

shields

when

oper-

instructions

on

the

machine

and

in the

ating

mower.

manual(s)

before

starting.

Be

thoroughly

II. SLOPE

OPERATION

familiar with the controls and the proper

Slopes are a major factor related to slip &

use of the machine before starting.

fall

accidents

which

can

result in severe

•

Do

not

put

hands or feet near or under

injury.

All

slopes

require

extra

caution.

If

rotating parts. Keep clear of the dis-

you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it.

charge opening at all times.

DO:

•

Only

allow

responsible individuals, who

are

familiar

with

the

instructions,

to oper-

•

Mow across

the

face

of

slopes:

never

ate

the

machine.

up and down. Exercise extreme caution

•

Clear

the

area

of objects

such

as

rocks,

when

changing

direction

on

slopes.

toys,

wire,

bones, sticks,

etc.,

which

•

Remove

obstacles

such

as

rocks,

tree

could

be

picked

up

and

thrown

by blade.

limbs,

etc.

•

Be

sure

the

area

is clear

of other

people

•

Watch

for

holes,

ruts,

or

bumps.

Tall

before

mowing.

Stop

machine

if anyone

grass

can

hide

obstacles.

enters

the

area.

DO NOT:

•

Do

not

operate

the mower when bare-

•

Do

not

trim

near

drop-offs,

ditches

or

foot or wearing open sandals. Always

embankments.

The

operator

could

lose

wear

substantial

foot

wear.

•

Do

not

pull

mower backwards unless

footing

or

balance.

•

Do

not

trim

excessively

steep

slopes.

absolutely necessary. Always look down

•

Do

not

mow

on

wet

grass.

Reduced

and behind before and while moving

footing

could

cause

slipping.

backwards.

•

Never

direct

discharged

material

toward

III.

CHILDREN

anyone.

Avoid

discharging

material

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator

against

a wall

or

obstruction.

Material

is not alert to the presence of children.

may

richochet

back

toward

the

opera-

Children

are

often

attracted

to

the

ma-

tor. Stop the blade when crossing gravel

chine and the mowing activity. Never as-

surfaces.

sume that children will remain where you

•

Do

not

operate

the

mower

without

last saw

them.

proper guards, plates, grass catcher or

• Keep children out of the trimming area

other

safety

protective

devices

in

place.

•

and

under

the

watchful

care

of

another

See

manufacturer's instructions for

responsible

adult.

proper

operation

and

installation

of

•

Be

alert and

turn

machine

off

if

children

accessories.

Only

use accessories

ap-

enter

the

area.

proved

by

the

manufacturer.

•

Before

and while walking backwards,

•

Stop

the

blade(s)

when

crossing

gravel

look

behind

and down for small children.

drives,

walks,

or

roads.

•

Never

allow children to operate the

•

Stop

the

engine

(motor)

whenever

you

machine.

leave the equipment, before cleaning the

•

Use

extra

care

when

approaching

blind

mower or unclogging the chute.

corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects

•

Shut

the

engine

(motor) off and wait until

that

may

obscure

vision.

the

blade

comes

to complete stop before

IV. SAFE

HANDLING

OF GASOLINE

removing

grass

catcher.

•

Mow

only

in daylight

or

good

artificial

Use

extreme

care

in handling

gasoline.

light.

Gasoline

is extremely

flammable

and

the

•

Do

not

operate

the

machine

while

under

vapors

are

explosive.

the

influence

of

alcohol

or

drugs.

•

Extinguish

all

cigarettes,

cigars,

pipes

•

Never

operate

machine

in wet

grass.

and

other

sources

of

ignition.

Always

be

sure

of

your footing:

keep

a

•

Use

only

an

approved

container.

firm

hold

on

the

handle;

walk,

never

run.

•

Never

remove

gas cap or

add

fuel

with

•

Disengage

the

self-propelled

mech-

the

engine

running.

Allow

engine

to

anism

or

drive

clutch

on

mowers

so

cool

before

refueling.

equipped

before

starting

the engine.

•

Never

refuel

the

machine

indoors.

•

If the

equipment

should

start

to vibrate

•

Never

store

the

machine

or

fuel

contain-

abnormally,

stop

the

engine

(motor)

and

er

where

there

is an

open

flame,

spark

check

immediately

for the

cause.

Vibra-

or

pilot

light

such

as

a water

heater

or

tion

is

generally

a warning

of

trouble.

3

on

other

appliances.