Craftsman 77246 Operation Manual - Page 4

• Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesand other sourcesof ignition. • Neverfuel machineindoorsbecauseflammablevapors will accumulatein the area. • Neverremovegas capor add fuel whileengineis hotor running. Allowengineto coolat leasttwo minutesbeforerefueling. • Neveroverfill fueltank. Fill tankto no morethan1/2inchbelow bottomof filler neck to providefor fuelexpansion. • Replacegasolinecapand tighten securely. • If gasolineis spilled,wipe it off theengineand equipment.Move machineto anotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestarting engine. • Neverstorethe machineor fuel containernear an open flame, sparkor pilotlight as on a waterheater,spaceheater, furnace, clothesdryeror othergas appliances. • To reducefire hazard,keeplawnedger freeof grass,leaves,or otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanup oil or fuel spillageand removeany fuel soakeddebris. • Allowa lawnedgerto cool at leastfive (5) minutesbeforestoring OPERATION • Do not puthandsor feet near rotatingparts.Contactwith the rotatingbladecan amputatehandsand feet. The bladecontrolhandleis a safetydevice.Neverbypassits operation.Doingso, makesthe machineunsafeand maycause personalinjury. Neveroperatewithoutbladeguard,debrisshieldand blade controlhandlein placeand working. Neveroperatewith damagedsafetydevices.Failureto do so, can result in personalinjury. Neverrun an engine indoorsor in a poorlyventilatedarea. Engine exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,an odorlessand deadlygas. Do notoperatemachinewhileunder the influenceof alcoholor drugs. Mufflerand engine becomehotand can causea burn.Do not touch. Neveroperatethis machinewithoutgood visibilityor light.Always be sureof yourfootingand keepa firm hold on the handles.Walk, neverrun. Do notoperatethis machineif it has beendroppedor damaged. Returnmachineto your nearestauthorizedservicingdealerfor examinationand repair. Do notoperatethis machinewith a damagedor excessivelyworn cuttingblade. Neverattemptto clearmaterialfrom the bladeguard whilethe engineis running.Shut theengineoff, disconnectthe spark plug wireand groundagainstthe engineto preventunintended starting. Do notoverloadmachinecapacitybyattemptingto edge at too fastof a rate. Stayalert for unevensidewalks,terrainetc.Alwayspush slowly overrough surfaces.Donot usethis machineon gravelsurfaces. Do notoperatemachinein rain or wet soil conditions. • Alwaysoperatemachinefrom behindthe handlesand position yourselfwherethe direct lineof sight to cuttingbladeis blocked by guards. • Alwaysstopenginewhenedging or trimmingis delayedor when transportingmachinefrom one locationto another. • Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.Stop theengine, disconnectsparkplug wireand groundagainstthe engineto preventunintendedstarting. • Only useparts and accessoriesmadefor this machineby the manufacturerF. ailureto do so, can resultin personalinjury. • If situationsoccur whichare notcoveredin this manual,use care and good judgment.ContactCustomerSupportfor assistanceor the nameof your nearestservicedealer. CHILDREN Tragicaccidentscan occur if the operatoris not alertto the presence of children.Childrenare often attractedto powerequipmentsuch as lawnedgers.They do notunderstandthe dangers.Neverassumethat childrenwill remainwhereyou last saw them. Keepchildrenout of theedging area and underwatchfulcare of a responsibleadultotherthan theoperator. Be alertand turn lawnedgeroff if a child entersthe area. • Beforeand whilemovingbackwards,look behindand down for small children. Useextremecare whenapproachingblindcorners,doorways, shrubs,trees,or otherobjectsthat mayobscureyourvision of a child whomay run intothe lawnedger. Keepchildrenawayfrom hot or runningengines.They can suffer burnsfrom a hot muffler. Neverallowchildrenunder 14yearsof age to operatethis machine.Children14and overshouldreadand understandthe instructionsand safeoperationpracticesin this manualand on the machineand be trainedand supervisedby an adult. MAINTENANCE & STORAGE • Neverrun an engineindoorsor in a poorlyventilatedarea.Engine exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,an odorlessand deadlygas. Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspecting,makecertainthe blade and all movingparts havestopped.Disconnectthe spark plug wireand groundagainstthe engineto preventunintended starting. Checkthe bladeand engine mountingboltsat frequentintervals for propertightness.Also,visuallyinspectbladefor damage(e.g., bent, cracked,worn) Replacebladewith the originalequipment rnanufacture's(O.E.M.)bladeonly,listed in this manual."Useof parts which do not meetthe originalequipmentspecificationsmay lead to improperperformanceand compromisesafety!" Lawnedger bladesare sharpand can cut. Wrapthe bladeor weargloves,and useextra cautionwhenservicingthem. Keepall nuts, bolts,and screwstight to be surethe equipmentis in safe workingcondition. Nevertamperwith safetydevices.Checktheir properoperation regularly. 4