Craftsman 247.23000 Operator's Manual

Also see for 247.23000: Operator's manual

Safe Handling of Gasoline:Toavoidpersonalinjuryor propertydamageuseextremecare inhandlinggasoline.Gasolineis extremelyflammableand the vaporsareexplosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan occurwhengasolineis spilledon yourselfor yourclotheswhichcan ignite.Washyour skin andchangeclothesimmediately.• Use onlyan approvedgasolinecontainer.• Neverfill containersinsidea vehicleor on a truckor trailerbedwith a plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainerson the groundawayfromyour vehiclebeforefilling.• Whenpractical,removegas-poweredequipmentfromthe truckor trailerand refueliton the ground.If this is notpossible,thenrefuelsuchequipmenton a trailerwith a portablecontainer,ratherthanfrom a gasolinedispensernozzle.• Keepthe nozzlein contactwith the rimof the fuel tank orcontaineropeningat all times untilfuelingis complete.Do not usea nozzlelock-opendevice.• Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesand other sourcesofignition.• Neverfuel machineindoors.• Neverremovegas capor add fuel whilethe engineishot or run-ning.Allowengineto cool at leasttwo minutesbeforerefueling.• Neveroverfill fueltank. Fill tankto no morethan1/2inchbelowbottomof filler neck to allowspacefor fuel expansion.• Replacegasolinecapand tighten securely.• If gasolineisspilled,wipe itoff theengineand equipment.Moveunitto anotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingthe engine.• To reducefire hazards,keepmachinefreeof grass, leaves,orotherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanup oil or fuel spillageand removeanyfuel soakeddebris.• Neverstorethe machineor fuel containerinsidewherethereis anopenflame,spark or pilotlightas on a water heater,space heater,furnace,clothesdryer or othergas appliances.OPERATION• Do not puthandsor feet near rotatingparts.Contactwith therotatingpartscan amputatehandsand feet.• Do notoperatemachinewhileunder the influenceof alcoholordrugs.• Neveroperatethis machinewithoutgood visibilityor light.Alwaysbe sureof yourfootingand keepa firm hold on the handles.• Keepbystandersawayfrom the machinewhileit isinoperation.Stopthe machineif anyoneentersthe area.• Be carefulwhentilling in hard ground.Thetines maycatchin thegroundand propelthe tillerforward.If this occurs,let go of thehandlebarsand do not restrainthe machine.• Exerciseextremecautionwhenoperatingon or crossinggravelsurfaces.Stayalert for hiddenhazardsor traffic. Do notcarrypassengers.• Neveroperatethe machineat hightransportspeedson hard orslipperysurfaces.• Exercisecautionto avoidslippingor falling.• Lookdownand behindand usecare whenin reverseor pullingmachinetowardsyou.• Start the engineaccordingto the instructionsfoundinthis manualand keepfeet well awayfromthe tines at all times.• After strikinga foreignobjector ifyour machineshouldstart mak-ingan unusualnoiseor vibration,immediatelyshut the engineoff.Disconnectthe sparkplug wire,ground itagainstthe engineandperformthe followingsteps:a. Inspectfor damage.b. Repairor replaceanydamagedparts.c. Checkfor anyloose partsand tightento assurecontinuedsafe operation.• Disengageall clutchlevers(if fitted)and stopengine beforeyouleavethe operatingposition(behindthe handles).Wait untilthe tines cometo a completestop beforeuncloggingthe tines,makingany adjustments,or inspections.• Neverrun an engineindoorsor in a poorlyventilatedarea.Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,an odorlessand deadlygas.• Mufflerand enginebecomehot and cancause a burn.Do nottouch.• Usecautionwhentillingnear fences,buildingsand undergroundutilities. Rotatingtines can causepropertydamageor personalinjury.• Donot overloadmachinecapacityby attemptingto till soil toodeep at too fastof a rate.• If the machineshouldstart makingan unusualnoiseor vibration,stop the engine,disconnectthe spark plugwire and grounditagainstthe engine.Inspectthoroughlyfor damage.Repairanydamagebeforestartingand operating.• Keepall shields,guards,and safetydevicesin placeand operat-ing properly.• Neverpick up or carry machinewhilethe engineis running.• Useonly attachmentsand accessoriesapprovedby the manu-factureras listedin the PartsList pagesof this operator'smanual.Failureto do so can resultin personalinjury.• If situationsoccur whichare notcoveredinthis manual,use careand good judgement.ContactCustomerSupportat 1-800-4MY-HOMEfor assistanceand the nameof thenearestservicedealerMAINTENANCE & STORAGE• Keepthe machine,attachmentsand accessoriesin safeworkingorder.• Allowthe machineto coolat leastfive minutesbeforestoring.Nevertamperwith safetydevices.Checktheirproperoperationregularly.• Checkboltsand screwsfor propertightnessat frequentintervalsto keepthe machineinsafeworkingcondition.Also,visuallyinspectmachineforany damage.• Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspecting,stop the engineandmakecertain thetines and all movingparts havestopped.Disconnectthe sparkplug wireand grounditagainstthe enginetopreventunintendedstarting.4