Craftsman 247.270250 - Manual (Page 4)

26. Use only accessories and attachments approved for this
machine by the machine manufacturer. Read,
understand and follow all instructions provided with the
accessory or attachment.
27. Data indicates that operators, age 60 years and above,
are involved in a large percentage of tractor-related
injuries. These operators should evaluate their ability to
operate the tractor safely enough to protect themselves
and others from serious injury.
28. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual,
use care and good judgment. Contact Sears service
center for assistance.
i
Slope Operation
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip­
over accidents which can result in severe injury or death. All
slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope
or if you feel uneasy, do not mow it.
For safety, use the slope gauge Included as part of this
manual to measure slopes before operating this unit on a
sloped orhillyarea. If the slope Is greater than isdegreesas
shown on the slope gauge, do not operate this unit there.
Do:
1. Mow up and down slopes, not across. Exercise extreme
caution when changing direction on sir^es.
2. Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden
objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall
grass can hide obstacles.
3. Use slow speed. Choose a low enough speed setting so
that you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope.
Tires may lose traction on slopes even though the brakes
are functioning properly. Always keep machine In gear
when going down slopes to take advantage of engine
braking action.
4. Follow the manufactu rer's recommendations for wheel
weights or counterweights to improve stability of the
machine. Use extra care with grass catchers or other
attachments. These can change stability of the machine.
5. Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do
not make sudden changes in speed or direction. Rapid
engagement or braking could cause the front of the
machine to lift and rapidly flip over backwards which
could cause serious injury.
6. Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction,
disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly straight down
the slope.
Do Not:
1. Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn slowly
and gradually downhill, if possible.
2. Do not mow near drop-off sites, ditches or embankments.
The mower could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the
edge of a cliff, ditch, or if an edge caves in.
3. Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on
the ground.
4. Do not use a grass catcher on steep slopes.
5. Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause
sliding.
6. Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill. Over-speeding
may cause the operator to lose control of the machine
resulting in serious injury or death.
7. Do not tow heavy pull behind attachments (e.g. loaded
dump cart, lawn roller, etc.) on slopes greater than 5
degrees. When going down hill, the extra weight tends to
push the tractor and may cause you to loose control, (e.g.
tractor may speed up, braking and steering ability are
reduced, attachment may Jack-knife and cause tractor to
overturn).
Children
1. 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. They do not
understand the dangers. Never assume that children will
remain where you last saw them.
a. Keep children out of the mowing area and in
watchful care of a responsible adult other than the
operator.
b. Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the
area.
c. Before and while bacldng, look behind and down
for small children.
d. Never carry children, even with the blade(s) shut
off. They may fall off and be seriously injured or
interfere with safe machine operation.
e. Use extreme care when approaching blind
corners, doorways, shrubs, trees or other objects
that may block your vision of a child who may run
into the machine.
f. Disengage the cutting blade(s) before shifting in
reverse. The “No-Cut-In Reverse” feature
emphasizes not to cut in reverse and to avoid
back-over accidents; do not defeat it.
g. Keep children away from hot or mnning engines.
They can suffer burns from a hot muffler.
h. Remove key when machine is unattended to
prevent unauthorized operation.
2. Never allow child ren under 14 years old to operate the
machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and
understand the operation instructions and safety rules in
this manual and should be trained and supervised by a
parent.
Service
Safe Handling Of Gasoline
1. To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme
care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive. Serious
personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on
yourself or your clothes which can ignite. Wash your skin
and change clothes immediately.
a. Use only an approved gasoline container.
b. Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck
or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place
containers on №e ground away from your vehicle
before filling.
c. When practical, remove gas-powered equipment
from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground.
If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment
on a trailer with a portable container, rather Bian
from a gasdine dispenser nozzle.
d. Keep the nozzle in contact with the dm of the fuel
tank or container opening at aii times until fueling
is complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open
device.