Craftsman 917.24903 - Manual (Page 2)

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SAFETY RULES
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Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers
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.
• Data indicates that operators, age 60 years and above,
are invoived in a iarge percentage of riding mower-
reiated injuries. These operators shouid evaiuate their
abiiity to operate the riding mower safeiy enough to
protect themseives and others from serious injury,
• Foiiow the manufacturer's recommendation for wheei
weights or counterweights,
• Keep machine free of grass , ieaves or other debris
buiid-up which can touch hot exhaust/engine parts
and burn. Do not aiiow the mower deck to piow ieaves
or other debris which can cause buiid-up to occur,
Ciean any oii or fuei spiliage before operating or
storing the machine, Aiiow machine to cooi before
storage.
WARNING: In order to prevent ac­
cidental
starting when setting up,
transporting, adjusting or making re­
pairs, always disconnect spark plug
wire and place wire where It cannot
contact spark plug.
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WARNING: Do not coast down a hill
In neutral, you may lose control of the
tractor.
A WARNING: Tow only the attachments
that are recommended by and com­
ply with specifications of the manu­
facturer of your tractor. Use common
sense when towing. Operate only at
the lowest possible speed when on a
slope. Too heavy of a load, while on
a slope. Is dangerous. Tires can lose
traction with the ground and cause you
to lose control of your tractor.
I. GENERAL OPERATION
Read, understand, and foiiow aii instructions on the
machine and in the manuai before starting.
Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under
the machine. Keep ciear of the discharge opening at
aii times,
Oniy aiiow responsibie aduits, who are famiiiar with
the instructions, to operate the machine,
Ciear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, etc,,
which couid be picked up and thrown by the biades.
Be sure the area is ciear of bystanders before operat­
ing, Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
Never carry passengers.
Do not mow in reverse uniess absoiuteiy necessary, Ai-
ways iook down and behind before and whiie backing.
Never direct discharged matehai toward anyone. Avoid
discharging materiai against a waii or obstruction,
Matehai may ricochet back toward the operator. Stop
the biades when crossing gravei surfaces.
Do not operate machine withoutthe entire grass catcher,
discharge guard, or other safety devices in piace and
working,
Siow down before turning.
Never ieave a running machine unattended, Aiways
turn off biades, set parking brake, stop engine, and
remove keys before dismounting.
Disengage biades when not mowing. Shut off engine
and wait for aii parts to come to a compiete stop before
cieaning the machine, removing the grass catcher, or
unciogging the discharge guard.
Operate machine oniy in dayiight or good artificiai
iight.
Do not operate the machine whiie under the influence
of aicohoi or drugs.
Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing
roadways.
Use extra care when ioading or unioading the machine
into a traiier or truck,
Aiways wear eye protection when operating machine.
II. SLOPE OPERATION
Siopes are a major factor reiated to ioss of controi and
tip-over accidents, which can resuit in severe injury or
death. Operation on aii siopes requires extra caution. If
you cannot back up the siope or if you feei uneasy on it,
do not mow it.
Mow up and down siopes, not across.
Watch for hoies, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden
objects. Uneven terrain couid overturn the machine,
Taii grass can hide obstacies.
Choose a iow ground speed so that you wiii not have
to stop or shift whiie on the siope.
Do not mow on wet grass. Tires may iose traction,
Aiways keep the machine in gear when going down
siopes. Do not shift to neutrai and coast downhiii.
Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a siope. If the
tires iose traction, disengage the biades and proceed
siowiy straight down the siope.
Keep aii movement on the siopes siow and graduai.
Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction,
which couid cause the machine to roii over.
Use extra care while operating machine with grass
catchers or other attachments; they can affect the
stabiiity of the machine. Do no use on steep siopes.
Do not try to stabiiize the machine by putting your foot
on the ground.
Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments.
The machine couid suddeniy roii over if a wheei is over
the edge or if the edge caves in,
III. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not aiert to
the presence of chiidren, Chiidren are often attracted to
the machine and the mowing activity.
Never assume that
chiidren wiii remain where you iast saw them,
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Keep chiidren out of the mowing area and inthe watchfui
care of a responsibie aduit other than the operator,
• Be aiert and turn machine off if a chiid enters the
area,
• Before and whiie backing, iook behind and down for
smaii chiidren,
• Never carry chiidren, even with the biades shut off. They
may faii off and be seriousiy injured or interfere with
safe machine operation, Chiidrenwho have been given
rides in the past may suddeniy appear in the mowing
area for another ride and be run over or backed over
by the machine,
• Never aiiow chiidren to operate the machine,
• Use extra care when approaching biind corners, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may biock your view of a
chiid.