Craftsman 536.270320 Operation Manual - Page 5

SAFETY RULES II1. Children 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. NEVER assume that children will remain where you last saw them. 1. Keep children out of the mowing area and in the watchful care of another responsible adult. 2. Be alert and turn the engine off if children enter the area. 3. Before and when backing, look behind and down for small children. 4. Never carry children or any passengers, even with the blades off. They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with the safe operation of the machine. 5. Never allow children to operate the machine. Instruct children in the potential dangers of the machine. 6. Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees or other objects that may obscure vision. IV. Towing 1. Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the hitch point. 2. Follow the manufacture's recommendation towed equipment and towing on slopes. for weight limits for 3. Never allow children or others in or on towed equipment. 4. On slopes, the weight of the towed equipment may cause loss of traction and loss of control. 5. Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop. V. Safe Handling Of Gasoline To avoid personal injury or property damage, use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. 1. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition. 2. Use only an approved gasoline container. 3. Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Al- low engine to cool before refueling. 4. Never fuel the machine indoors. 5. Never store the machine or fuel container where there is an open flame, spark, or pilot light such as on a water heater or other appliances. 6. Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle before filling. 7. Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment with a portable container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle. 8. Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or container opening at all times until the fueling is complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open device. 9. If fuel is spilled on clothing, change clothing immediately. 10. Never overfill fuel tank. Replace gas cap and tighten securely. Vl. Service 1. Use extra care when handling are flammable and the vapors MS-3620MA gasoline and other fuels. are explosive. Fuels a. Use only an approved container. b. Never remove the gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow the engine to cool for several minutes before refueling. Do not smoke. c. Never refuel the machine indoors or near appliances with pilot lights, heaters, or other ignition sources. d. Never store the machine with fuel in the tank or fuel container inside where there is an open flame, such as a water heater. 2. Never start or run the engine inside a closed area. a. Make sure that spark plug, muffler, fuel cap and air cleaner are in place. b. Do not crank engine with spark plug removed. c. If fuel spills, wait until it evaporates before starting engine. d. Do not start if there is LP or natural gas leakage in the area. 3. Keep all nuts and bolts, especially the blade attachment nuts tight. Frequently check the blade(s) for wear or damage such as cracks and nicks. A blade that is bent or damaged must be immediately replaced with an original equipment blade from an authorized service dealer. For safety, replace the blade every two years. Keep the equipment in good condition. 4. Never tamper with the safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly. 5. To reduce fire hazards, keep the machine free of grass, leaves or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spills. Allow the machine to cool before storing. a. Allow muffler and engine areas to cool before touching. 6. Stop and inspect the equipment if you strike an object. Repair, if necessary, before restarting. 7. Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine running. The carburetor can be adjusted with the engine running. Do not change the engine governor settings or over-speed the engine. 8. Grass bagger components are subject to wear, damage and deterioration, which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. For storage, always make sure the grass bag is empty. Frequently check components and replace with manufacturer's recommended parts when necessary. 9. Mower blade(s) are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves and use extra caution when servicing them or the blade housing area. 10. Check the brake operation frequently. Adjust and service as required. 11. Wait for all movement to stop before servicing any part of the unit. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER Environmental Awareness • Do not fill the engine's fuel tank completely full. • Drain fuel for off-season storage. • Use only unleaded gasoline. • Service the air cleaner regularly. • Change oil regularly. Use oil rated 30 in the summer. • Tune-up the engine regularly. • Keep equipment in efficient operating condition. • Dispose of used engine oil properly.