Craftsman 917.24899 - Manual (Page 2)

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SAFETY RULES
Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers A
IMPORTANT; THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET ANDTHROWING OBJECTS.
TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
FAILURE
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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 follow all instructions on the
machine and in the manual before starting.
Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under
the machine. Keep clear of the discharge opening at
all times.
Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar with the
instructions, to operate the machine.
C lear th e area of o bj ects sue h as rocks, toys, wire, etc.,
which could be picked up and thrown by the blades.
Be sure the area is clear of bystanders before operat­
ing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
Never carry passengers.
Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary. Al­
ways look down and behind before and while backing.
Neverdirectdischarged material toward anyone. Avoid
discharging material against a wall or obstruction. Ma­
terial may ricochet back toward the operator. Stop the
blades when crossing gravel surfaces.
Do not operate machine without the entire grass catcher,
discharge guard, or other safety devices in place and
working.
Slow down before turning.
Never leave a running machine unattended. Always
turn off blades, set parking brake, stop engine, and
remove keys before dismounting.
Disengage blades when not mowing. Shut off engine
and waitfor all parts to come to a complete stop before
cleaning the machine, removing the grass catcher, or
unclogging the discharge guard.
Operate machine only in daylight or good artificial
light.
Do not operate the machine while under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.
Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing road­
ways.
Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine
into a trailer or truck.
Always wear eye protection when operating machine.
• Data indicates that operators, age 60 years and above,
are involved in a large percentage of riding mower-re­
lated injuries. These operators should evaluate their
ability to operate the riding mower safely enough to
protect themselves and others from serious injury.
• Follow the manufacturer's recommendation for wheel
weights or counterweights.
• Keep machine free of grass , leaves or other debris
build-up which can touch hot exhaust/engine parts
and burn. Do not allow the mower deck to plow leaves
or other debris which can cause build-up to occur.
Clean any oil or fuel spillage before operating or
storing the machine. Allow machine to cool before
storage.
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. Operation on all slopes requires extra caution. If
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 other hidden
objects.
Uneven terrain could overturn the machine.
Tail 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 neutral and coast downhill.
Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a slope. If the
tires lose traction, disengage 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 attachments; 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.
• Keepchildren out of the mowing area and in the watchful
care of a responsible adult other than the operator.
• Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the
area.
• Before and while backing, look behind and down for
small children.
• 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.
• Never allow children to operate the machine.
• Use extracarewhen approaching blind corners, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may block your view of a
child.