Craftsman 247.889980 - Manual (Page 3)

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
A warning
A
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!
Your Responsibility: Restrict the use of this power machine to
persons who read, understand, and follow the warnings and instruc­
tions in this manual and on the machine.
J
A DANGER
This machine was built to be operated according to the rules tor
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.
AWARNING
Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle
components contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if operator is not alert to presence of children. Chil­
dren are often attracted to mower and mowing activity. They do not understand
the dangers. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.
• Keep children out of the mowing area and under watchful care of a
responsible adult other than the operator.
• Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the area.
• Before and while moving backwards, look behind and down for small
children.
• Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, doorways, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may obscure your vision of a child who may
run into the mower.
• Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer burns
from a hot muffler.
• Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a power mower.
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 a parent.
GENERAL OPERATION
• Read this operator’s manual carefully in its entirety before attempting
to assemble this machine. Read, understand, and follow all instructions
on the machine and in the manual(s) before operation. Be completely
familiar with the controls and the proper use of this machine before
operating it. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular
reference and for ordering replacement parts.
• This machine is a precision piece of power equipment, not a plaything.
Therefore, exercise extreme caution at all times. Your unit has been
designed to perform one job: to mow grass. Do not use it for any other
purpose.
• Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this machine.
Children 14 years old and over should read and understand the instruc­
tions in this manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent.
Only responsible individuals who are familiar with these rules of safe
operation should be allowed to use this machine.
• 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 tripped over or picked up and thrown by the blade. Thrown objects
can cause serious personal injury. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid
discharge of material toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like.
Also, avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction which may
cause discharged material to ricochet back toward the operator.
To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, stay in operator
zone behind handles and keep children, bystanders, helpers, and pets at
least 75 feet from mower while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone
enters area.
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.
Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting slacks and shirts.
Shirts and pants that cover the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes
are recommended. Never operate this machine in bare feet, sandals,
slippery or light weight (e.g. canvas) shoes.
Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under cutting deck.
Contact with blade can amputate hands and feet.
A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade contact or
thrown object injuries.
Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled over the foot
during a fall caused by slipping or tripping. Do not hold on to the mower if
you are falling; release the handle immediately.
Never pull the mower back toward you while you are walking. If you must
back the mower away from a wall or obstruction first look down and
behind to avoid tripping and then follow these steps:
a. Step back from mower to fully extend your arms.
b. Be sure you are well balanced with sure footing.
c. Pull back slowly, no more than half way towards you.
d. Repeat these steps as needed.
Do not operate the mower while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on units so equipped while
starting engine.
The blade control handle is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its
operation. Doing so makes the safety device inoperative and may result
in personal injury through contact with the rotating blade. The blade
control handle must operate easily in both directions and automatically
return to the disengaged position when released.
Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always be sure of your footing. A
slip and fall can cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are losing
your footing, release the blade control handle immediately and the blade
will stop rotating within three seconds.
Mow only in daylight or good artificial light. Walk, never run.
Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, walks or roads.