Craftsman 28933 Operation Manual - Page 4

• Slowdownbeforeturning.Operatethe machinesmoothly.Avoid SLOPE OPERATION erraticoperationand excessivespeed. Disengageblade(s),set parkingbrake,stopengine and wait until the blade(s)come to a completestop beforeremovinggrass catcher,emptyinggrass,uncloggingchute,removinganygrass or debris,or makinganyadjustments. Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.Alwaysturnoff blade(s),set parkingbrake,stopengine and removekey before dismounting. Use extracare whenloadingor unloadingthe machineintoa Slopesare a majorfactorrelatedto loss of controland tip-over accidentswhichcan result in severeinjuryor death.All slopes require extra caution.If youcannot back up the slopeor if youfeel uneasyon it, do not mowit. Foryoursafety,use the SlopeGuide includedas partof this manual to measureslopesbeforeoperatingthis machineon a slopedor hilly area. If the slopeis greaterthan15 degreesas shownon the Slope Guide,do notoperatethis machineon that area or seriousinjurycould result. traileror truck. This machineshouldnot be drivenup or down Do: ramp(s),becausethe machinecouldtip over,causingserious personalinjury.The machinemustbe pushedmanuallyon ramp(s)to loador unloadproperly. Mufflerand engine becomehotand can causea burn.Do not touch. o Mowup and down slopes,not across.Exerciseextremecaution whenchangingdirectionon slopes. • Watchfor holes,ruts,bumps,rocks,or other hiddenobjects. Uneventerraincouldoverturnthe machine.Tallgrass can hide obstacles. Checkoverheadclearancescarefullybeforedrivingunderlow hangingtree branches,wires,door openingsetc., wherethe operatormay be struckor pulledfrom the machine,which could result in seriousinjury. Disengageall attachmentclutchesand depressthe brakepedal completelybeforeattemptingto start engine. • Yourmachineisdesignedto cut normalresidentiagl rass of a heightno morethan 10".Do not attemptto mowthroughunusually Useslow speed.Choosea lowenoughspeedsettingso that you will nothaveto stop or shiftwhileon the slope.Tires may lose tractionon slopeseventhoughthe brakesare functioning properly.Alwayskeepmachinein gearwhen goingdownslopes to take advantageof enginebrakingaction. Followthe manufacturer'srecommendationsfor wheelweights or counterweightsto improvestability.Forrecommendationsc,all 1-800-659-5917. tall, dry grass (e.g.,pasture)or piles of dry leaves.Dry grass or leavesmaycontactthe engineexhaustand/or build up on the mowerdeck presentinga potentialfire hazard. Use onlyaccessoriesand attachmentsapprovedfor this machine by the machinemanufacturerR. ead,understandand followall instructionsprovidedwith the approvedaccessoryor attachment. Fora list of approvedaccessoriesand attachments,call 1-800659-5917. Data indicatesthat operators,age 60 years and above,are involvedin a largepercentageof riding mower-relatedinjuries. Theseoperatorsshouldevaluatetheirability to operatethe riding mowersafelyenoughto protectthemselvesand othersfrom seriousinjury. If situationsoccurwhich are not coveredin this manual,usecare and goodjudgment.Contact1-800-659-5917for informationand assistance. • Useextra carewith grass catchersor otherattachments.These can changethe stabilityof the machine. Keepall movementon the slopes slowand gradual.Do not make suddenchangesin speedor direction.Rapidengagementor brakingcouldcausethe front of the machineto lift and rapidlyflip overbackwardswhich couldcauseseriousinjury. • Avoidstartingor stoppingon a slope. If tires losetraction,disengage the blade(s)and proceedslowlystraightdownthe slope. Do Not: • Donot turnon slopesunlessnecessary;then, turnslowlyand graduallydownhill,if possible. • Donot mow neardrop-offs,ditchesor embankmentsT. he mower could suddenlyturnover if a wheelis overthe edgeof a cliff, ditch,or if an edge cavesin. • Donot try to stabilizethe machineby puttingyourfoot on the ground. • Donot usea grass catcheron steepslopes. • Donot mowon wet grass.Reducedtractioncouldcausesliding. • Donot attemptto coastdownhill.Over-speedingmaycausethe operatorto lose controlof the machineresultingin seriousinjury or death. • Donot tow heavypull behindattachments(e.g. loadeddumpcart, lawn roller,etc.)on slopesgreaterthan5 degrees.Whengoing down hill,the extraweighttends to pushthe tractorand may causeyou to loosecontrol.(e.g.tractormay speedup,braking and steeringabilityare reduced,attachmentmayjack-knifeand causetractorto overturn). 4