Safety rules – Craftsman 917.28746 User Manual

Page 3

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SAFETY RULES

• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or

other debris build-up.

Clean oil or fuel

. spillage and remove any fuel-soaked

debris. Allow machine to cool before
storing.

• If you strike a foreign object, stop and

inspect the machine. Repair, if neces-

sary, before restarting.

Never make any adjustments

or repairs

with the engine running.

Check grass catcher components

and

the discharge guard frequently and re-

place with manufacturer's

recommended

parts, when necessary.

• Mower blades are sharp.

Wrap the

blade or wear gloves, and use extra cau-

tion when servicing them.
Check brake operation frequently.

Adjust

and service as required.

Maintain or replace safety and instruc-

tion labels, as necessary.

• Be alert and turn machine off if a child

enters the area.

• Before and while backing, look behind

and down for small children.

• Mow up and down slopes (15

Max), not

across.

• Choose a low ground speed so that you

will not have to stop or shift while on the
slope .

• Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a

slope.

If the tires lose traction,

disen-

gage the blades and proceed slowly
straight down the slope.
If machine stops while going uphill,
disengage blades, shift into reverse and
back down slowly.

• Do not turn on slopes unless neces-

sary, and then, turn slowly and gradually
downhill, if possible .

• Remove gas-powered

equipment from

the truck or trailer and refuel it on the
ground. If this is not possible, then
refuel such equipment with a portable
container, rather than from a gasoline
dispenser nozzle.

• Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim

of the fuel tank or container opening at
all times until fueling is complete. Do not
use a nozzle lock-open device.
If fuel is spilled on clothing, change
clothing immediately.
Never overfill fuel tank. Replace gas cap

and tighten securely.

GENERAL SERVICE

• Never operate machine in a closed area.
• Keep all nuts and bolts tight to be sure

the equipment is in safe working condi-
tion.

• Never tamper with safety devices.

Chec~ their proper operation regularly.

@~~~~

• Be sure the area is clear of bystand-

ers before operating.

Stop machine if

anyone enters the area.

• Never carry passengers.

Do not mow in reverse unless abso-
lutely necessary. Always look down and
behind before and while backing.

• Never carry children, even with the

blades shut off. They may fall off and

. be seriously injured or interfere with

safe machine operation. Children who

have been given rides in the past may

suddenly appear in the mowing area for
another ride and be run over or backed
over by the machine.

• Keep children out .of the mowing area

and in the watchful care of a responsible
adult other than the operator.

• Never carry children, even with the

blades shutoff.

They may fall off and

be seriously injured or interfere with

safe machine operation. Children who
have been given rides in the past may
suddenly appear in the mowing area for
another ride and be run over or backed
over by the machine.

• Never allow children to operate the

machine.

• Use extra care when approaching

blind

corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects
that may block your view of a child.

IV. TOWING

• Tow only with a machine that has a

hitch designed for towing. Do not attach

towed equipment except at the hitch
point.

• Follow the manufacturer's

recommenda.

tion for weight limits for towed equip-

ment and towing on slopes.

• Never allow children or others in or on

towed equipment.

• On slopes, the weight of the towed

equipment may cause loss of traction
and loss of control.

• Travel slowly and allow extra distance to

stop.

V. SERVICE

SAFE HANDLING

OF GASOLINE

To avoid personal injury or property
damage, 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 approved gasoline container.

Never remove gas cap or add fuel with

the engine running. Allow engine to cool
before refueling.

• Never fuel the machine indoors.
• Never store the machine or fuel con-

tainer where there is an open flame,
spark, or pilot light such as on a water

heater or other appliances.

• Never fill containers inside a vehicle or

on a truck or trailer bed with plastic liner.
Always place containers on the ground
away from your vehicle when filling.

II. SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to loss of

control and tip-over accidents, which can
result in severe injury or death.

Opera-

tion on all slopes requires extra caution.

you cannot back up the slope or if you feel

uneasy on it, do not mow it.
• Mow up and down slopes; not across.

Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or
either hidden objects.

Uneven terrain

could overturn the machine.

Tall grass

can hide obstacles.

• Choose a low ground speed so that you

will not have to stop or shift while on the
slope.

• Do not mow on wet grass. Tires may

lose traction.

Always keep the machine in gear when
going down slopes. Do not shift to neu-
tral and coast downhill.

• Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a

slope.

If the tires lose traction,

disen-

gage the blades and proceed slowly
straight down the slope.

• Keep all movement on the slopes slow

and gradual.

Do not make sudden

changes in speed or direction, which
could cause the machine to roll over.

• Use extra care while operating machine

. with grass catchers or other attach-

ments; they can affect the stability of the
machine. Do no use on steep slopes.

• Do not try to stabilize the machine by

putting your foot on the ground.

• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches,

or embankments.

The machine could

suddenly roll over if a wheel is over the
edge or if the edge caves in.

III. 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 mowing area