Craftsman 88733 Operation Manual - Page 3

which,ifnot followed,couldendangerthe personal __IL sahfisetsyyamndb/oolpr porinotpseorutyt iomf ypoourrtsaenlsftaanfedtoytihnesrtsr.uRcetiaodns and followall instructionins this manualbefore attemptingto operatethis machine.Failureto complywith these instructionmsay resultin personalinjuryW. henyou seethis symbol, HEEDITS WARNING! This machinewas builtto be operatedaccordingto the rulesfor safe operationin this manual.As with anytype of powerequipment, carelessnessor error on the partof the operatorcan resultin serious injury.This machineis capableof amputatinghandsand feet and throwingobjects.Failureto observethefollowingsafetyinstructions could resultin seriousinjury or death. Your Responsibility: Restrictthe useof this powermachineto personswhoread,understand,and followthe warningsand instructions inthis manualand on the machine. __ate of Californiato I causecancer and birthdefectsor otherreproductiveharm. CHILDREN ,, Tragicaccidentscan occur if operatoris not alert to presenceof children.Chil- dren areoften attractedto mowerandmowingactivity.Theydo not understand the dangers.Neverassumethat childrenwill remainwhereyou lastsawthem. ,, Keepchildren out of the mowingarea and underwatchfulcare of a ,, responsibleadult otherthanthe operator. ,, Be alert andturn moweroff if a child entersthe area. ,, Beforeandwhile movingbackwards,look behindanddown for small ,, children. ,, Useextremecare when approachingblind corners,doorways,shrubs, trees, or otherobjectsthat may obscureyourvisionof a childwho may run into the mower. ,, ,, Keepchildren awayfrom hot or runningengines.They can suffer burns from a hot muffler. ,, ,, Neverallow childrenunder 14yearsold to operatea power mower. Children14years old and overshouldread and understandoperation ,, instructionsand safetyrulesin this manualand shouldbe trainedand supervisedbya parent. GENERAL OPERATION ,, ,, Readthis operator'smanualcarefullyin its entirety beforeattempting to assemblethis machine.Read,understand,andfollow all instructions on the machineand inthe manual(s)beforeoperation.Be completely familiarwiththe controlsand the properuse of this machinebefore operatingit. Keepthis manualin a safe place forfuture andregular referenceand for orderingreplacementparts. ,, ,, This machineis a precision pieceof powerequipment,not a plaything. ,, Therefore,exerciseextremecautionat all times.Your unit has been designedto performonejob: to mowgrass. Do not use it for anyother ,, purpose. ,, Neverallow childrenunder 14yearsold to operatethis machine. Children14years old and overshouldread and understandthe instructions inthis manualand shouldbe trainedandsupervisedby a parent. Onlyresponsibleindividualswho arefamiliar withthese rulesof safe ,, operationshouldbe allowedto usethis machine. ,, Thoroughlyinspectthe area wherethe equipmentis to be used.Remove all stones,sticks,wire, bones, toysand otherforeignobjectswhichcould be trippedoveror picked up and thrown bythe blade.Thrownobjects ,, can causeseriouspersonalinjury.Plan yourmowingpatternto avoid dischargeof materialtoward roads,sidewalks,bystandersandthe like. ,, Also,avoid dischargingmaterialagainst a wall or obstructionwhich may causedischargedmaterialto ricochetback towardthe operator. To helpavoid bladecontactor a thrownobject injury,stay in operator zone behindhandlesand keepchildren,bystanders,helpers,and pets at least75 feet from mowerwhile it is inoperation.Stopmachineif anyone enters area. Alwayswearsafetyglassesor safetygoggles duringoperationand while performingan adjustmentor repairto protectyoureyes. Thrownobjects which ricochetcan causeserious injury to the eyes. Wear sturdy,rough-soledwork shoesandclose-fittingslacksandshirts. Shirts and pantsthat coverthe armsand legs andsteel-toedshoes are recommended.Neveroperatethis machinein barefeet, sandals, slipperyor light weight (e.g.canvas) shoes. Donot put handsor feetnear rotating partsor undercutting deck. Contactwith bladecan amputatehandsandfeet. A missingor damageddischargecover can causebladecontact or thrown objectinjuries. Manyinjuriesoccur as a resultof the mower beingpulledoverthe foot duringa fall causedby slippingor tripping.Do not hold on to the mowerif you are falling; releasethe handleimmediately. Neverpull the mowerbacktoward you whileyou are walking.If you must backthe mowerawayfrom a wall or obstructionfirst look down and behindto avoid trippingandthenfollow thesesteps: a. Step backfrom mowerto fully extendyourarms. b.Be sureyou are wellbalancedwithsure footing. c. Pull backslowly,no morethan half waytowardsyou. d. Repeatthese steps as needed. Donot operatethe mowerwhile underthe influenceof alcoholor drugs. Donot engagethe self-propelledmechanismon units so equippedwhile starting engine. The blade control handleis a safety device.Neverattemptto bypassits operation.Doingso makesthe safetydevice inoperativeand may result inpersonalinjury through contactwiththe rotatingblade.The blade control handle mustoperateeasily inboth directionsand automatically returnto the disengagedpositionwhen released. Neveroperatethe mowerin wet grass.Alwaysbe sureof yourfooting. A slip andfall can causeseriouspersonalinjury.If you feel you are losing yourfooting, releasethe bladecontrol handleimmediatelyandthe blade will stop rotatingwithinthreeseconds. Mowonly in daylightor good artificial light. Walk, neverrun. Stopthe bladewhen crossing graveldrives,walks or roads. 3