Craftsman 917.371812 owner manual Do not

IoGENERAL OPERATION

•Read, understand,and follow all instructionson the machine and in the

manual(s) before starting. Be thoroughly familiarwith the controls and the proper use of the machinebefore starting.

•Do not put hands or feet near or under rotatingparts. Keep clear of the dis- charge opening at all times.

•Onlyallow responsibleindividuals,familiar withtheinstructions,tooperatethemachine.

•Clear the area of objects such as rocks,

toys, wire, bones, sticks, etc., which could be picked up and thrown by blade. Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

•Do not operate the mower when bare- foot or wearing open sandals. Always wear substantial foot wear.

•Do not pull mower backwards unless ab- solutely necessary. Always look down and behind before and while moving backwards.

•Never direct discharged material toward anyone. Avoid discharging material against

a wall or obstruction. Material may richo-

chet back toward the operator. Stop the blade when crossing gravel surfaces.

•Do not operate the mower without

proper guards, plates, grass catcher or other safety protective devices in place.

•See manufacturer's instructions for proper operation and installation of

accessories. Only use accessories ap- proved by the manufacturer.

•Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads.

•Stop the engine (motor) whenever you

leave the equipment, before cleaning the mower or unclogging the chute.

•Shut the engine (motor) off and wait until the blade comes to complete stop before removing grass catcher.

•Mow only in daylight / good artificial light.

•Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

•Never operate machine in wet grass. Always be sure of your footing: keep a firm hold on the handle; walk, never run.

•Disengage the self-propelled mech- anism or drive clutch on mowers so equipped before starting the engine.

•If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine (motor) and check immediately for the cause. Vibra- tion is generally a warning of trouble.

•AIwayswear safety goggles or safety glass- es with side shields when operating mower.

Ii. SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to slip & fall accidents which can result in severe

injury. All slopes require extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it. DO:

•Mow across the face of slopes: never up and down. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes. Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.

•Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

DO NOT:

•Do not trim near drop-offs, ditches or

embankments. The operator could lose footing or balance.

•Do not trim excessively steep slopes.

•Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced foot- ing could cause slipping.

i11. CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator

is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the machine

and the mowing activity. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.

•Keep children out of the trimming area and under the watchful care of another

responsible adult.

•Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area.

•Before and while walking backwards, look behind and down for small children.

•Never allow children to operate mower.

•Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.

IV. SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE Use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.

•Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.

•Use only an approved container.

•Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow engine to cool before refueling.

•Never refuel the machine indoors.

•Never store the machine or fuel contain- er where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light such as a water heater or on other appliances.

•Never fill containers inside a vehicle, on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle before filling.