Safety Instructions; General Operation - Craftsman 247.762460 Operator's Manual

Thissymbolpointsout importantsafety instructionswhich, if not
followed, could endangerthe personalsafetyand/or property of
yourself and others.Readandfollow all instructions in this manual
beforeattempting to operatethis machine.Failureto complywith these
instructions m ay resultin personalinjury.Whenyou seethis symbol, HEED
ITSWARNING!
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
EngineExhaust, s omeof its constituents,and certain vehiclecomponents
containor emit chemicalsknownto Stateof California to causecancerand
birth defectsor other reproductiveharm.
Thismachinewasbuilt to beoperatedaccordingto the safeoperation
practicesin this manual.Aswith anytype of powerequipment,
carelessness o r error on the part of the operatorcanresultin seriousinjury.
Thismachineiscapableof amputating fingers, hands,toesandfeet and
throwing debris. Failureto observethefollowing safety instructions c ould
resultin seriousinjury or death.
Your Responsibility--Restrict the useof this powermachineto
personswho read,understandandfollow the warnings and instructions i n
this manualandon the machine.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
GENERAL OPERATION
Read thisoperator's manualcarefullyinitsentiretybefore attemptingto
assemble t his machine. R ead, u nderstand, andfollowall instructions on the
machine andin the manual(s)before operation.Keep thismanual i n asafe
place for futureandregularreference andfororderingreplacement parts.
Becompletely familiarwith the controls andthe properuseofthismachine
beforeoperatingit.
Thismachine isa precision pieceof powerequipment, n ota plaything.
Therefore, exercise e xtremecautionat all times.Your m achinehasbeen
designed to performonejob: to edgelawn.Donot useit foranyother
purpose.
Never a llowchildrenunder14yearsof ageto operate this machine. C hildren
14andovershouldreadandunderstand the instructions andsafeoperation
practices inthis manual a ndonthe machine andbetrainedandsupervised
byanadult.
Onlyresponsible i ndividuals whoarefamiliarwith theserulesof safe
operation shouldbeallowedto usethis machine.
Tohelpavoidbladecontact o r a thrownobjectinjury, s tayin operator zone
behindhandles andkeepchildren, b ystanders, helpers andpetsat least75
feetfromlawnedgerwhileit isinoperation. S topmachine ifanyoneenters
area.
Thoroughly inspectthe areawherethe equipmentisto beused.Remove a ll
stones, s ticks,wire, bones, t oysandotherforeignobjectswhichcouldbe
trippedoveror pickedupandthrownbythe blade.Thrown objectscancause
serious personal i njury.
Always wearsafetyglasses o r safetygoggles duringoperationandwhile
performinganadjustment o r repairto protectyoureyes. T hrown objects
whichricochetcancause serious injury to the eyes.
Wear s turdy,rough-soled workshoes andclose-fittingslacks andshirts.
Shirtsandpantsthatcoverthe armsandlegsandsteel-toedshoes are
recommended. Never o perate this machine inbarefeet,sandals, s lipperyor
light weight(e.g.canvas) s hoes.
Neverattemptto makeanyadjustments whilethe engineisrunning,except
wherespecifically recommended i nthe operator's manual.
Donot put hands or feetnearrotatingparts.Contact w ith the rotatingblade
canamputatehands andfeet.
Thebladecontrolhandleisasafetydevice. N ever b ypass its operation. D oing
so,makes the machine unsafe andmaycausepersonal injury.
Neveroperate without bladeguard,debrisshieldandbladecontrol h andlein
placeandworking.
Neveroperate with damaged safetydevices. F ailure to doso,canresultin
personal i njury.
Neverrunanengineindoorsor ina poorlyventilatedarea.Engine exhaust
contains carbonmonoxide, a nodorless anddeadlygas.
Donot operatemachine whileunderthe influence of alcohol o r drugs.
Mufflerandenginebecome hot andcancause a burn.Donot touch.
Neveroperate thismachine without goodvisibilityor light. Alwaysbesureof
yourfootingandkeepafirm holdon the handles. Walk,never r un.
Donot operatethismachine if it hasbeendroppedor damaged. R eturn
machine to yournearest a uthorizedservicing dealerforexamination and
repair.
Donot operatethismachine with adamaged or excessively worncutting
blade.
Neverattemptto clearmaterialfromthe bladeguardwhilethe engineis
running.Shut t he engineoff, disconnect the sparkplugwireandground
againstthe engine to prevent u nintended starting.
Donot overload machine capacity byattemptingto edgeat too fastof arate.
Stayalertfor uneven sidewalks, t errainetc.Alwayspushslowlyoverrough
surfaces. D onot usethismachineongravelsurfaces.
Donot operatemachine in rainor wetsoil conditions.
Alwaysoperatemachine from behindthe handles andpositionyourself
wherethedirectlineof sightto cuttingbladeisblockedbyguards.