Craftsman 247.270250 - Manual (Page 3)

IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
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WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger
the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual
before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal
injury. When you see this symbol—heed its warning.
WARNING: The Battery and Engine Exhaust contains chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. The battery and posts contain lead;
wash hands after handling.
WARNING: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this
manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in
serious injury. This 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.
General Operation
1. Read, understand, and fol low al I instructions on the
machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to
assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe place
for future and regular reference and for ordering
replacement parts.
2. Be familiar with all controls and their proper operation.
Know how to stop machine and disengage them quickly,
3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this
machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and
understand operation instructions and safety rules in this
manual and should be trained and supervised by parent.
4. Never allow adu Its to ope rate this machine without
proper instruction.
5. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury,
keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75
feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop
machine if anyone enters the area.
6. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to
be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys,
and other foreign objects which could be picked up and
thrown by the blade(s). Thrown objects can cause
serious personal injury.
7. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material
toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Aiso,
avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction
which may cause discharged material to ricochet back
toward the operator.
8. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during
operation and while performing an adjustment or repair to
protect your eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can
cause serious injury to the eyes.
9. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting
slacks and shirts. Loose fitting ciothes and jewelry can be
caught in movable parts. Never operate this machine in
bare feet or sandals.
10. Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge
direction and do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the
mower without the discharge cover or entire grass
catcher in its proper place.
11. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the
cutting deck. Contact with the biade(s) can amputate
hands and feet.
12. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade
contact or thrown object injuries.
13. Stop the biade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks, or
roads and while not cutting grass.
14. Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing
roadways. This machine is not Intended for use on any
public roadway.
15. Do not operate the machine while under №e influence of
alcohol or drugs.
16. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light. Never carry
passengers.
17. Disengage blade(s) before shifting Into reverse. Back up
slowly. Always look down and behind before and while
backing to avoid a back-over accident.
18. Slow down before turning. Operate frie machine
smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive speed.
19. Disengage blade(s), set parking brake, stop engine and
wait until the blade(s) come to a complete stop before
removing grass catcher, emptying grass, unclogging
chute, removing any grass or debris, or making any
adjustments.
20. Never leave a running machine unattended. Always turn
off blade(s), place transmission in neutral, set parking
brake, stop engine and remove key before dismounting.
21. Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine
into a trailer or truck. This unit should not be driven up or
down ramp(s), because the unit could tip over, causing
serious personal injury. The unit must be pushed
manually on ramp(s) to load or unload property.
22. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a bum. Do
not touch.
23. Check overhead clearances carefully before driving
under low tree branches, wires, door openings etc.,
where the operator may be struck or pulled from the unit,
which could result in serious injury.
24. Disengage all attachment clutches, depress the brake
pedal completely and shift into neutral before attempting
to start engine.
25. Your machine is designed to cut normal residential grass
of a height no more than 10”. Do not attempt to mow
through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g., pasture) or piles of
dry leaves. Dry grass or leaves may contact the engine
exhaust and/or build up on the mower deck presenting a
potential fire hazard.