Craftsman 247.25000 Operator's Manual

Also see for 247.25000: Installation manual Operator's manual

Contents

• Slowdownbeforeturning.Operatethe machinesmoothly.Avoiderraticoperationand excessivespeed.Disengageblade(s),set parkingbrake,stopengine and wait untilthe blade(s)come to a completestop beforeremovinggrasscatcher,emptyinggrass,uncloggingchute,removinganygrass ordebris,or makinganyadjustments.Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.Alwaysturnoffblade(s),set parkingbrake,stopengine and removekey beforedismounting.Use extracare whenloadingor unloadingthe machineintoatraileror truck. This machineshouldnot be drivenup or downramp(s),becausethe machinecouldtip over,causingseriouspersonalinjury.The machinemustbe pushedmanuallyonramp(s)to loador unloadproperly.Mufflerand engine becomehotand can causea burn.Do nottouch.Checkoverheadclearancescarefullybeforedrivingunderlowhangingtree branches,wires,door openingsetc., wheretheoperatormay be struckor pulledfrom the machine,which couldresult in seriousinjury.Disengageall attachmentclutchesand depressthe brakepedalcompletelybeforeattemptingto start engine.Yourmachineisdesignedto cut normalresidentialgrass of aheightno morethan 10".Do not attemptto mowthroughunusuallytall, dry grass (e.g.,pasture)or piles of dry leaves.Dry grass orleavesmaycontactthe engineexhaustand/or build up on themowerdeck presentinga potentialfire hazard.Use onlyaccessoriesand attachmentsapprovedfor this machineby the machinemanufacturer.Read,understandand followallinstructionsprovidedwith the approvedaccessoryor attachment.Fora list of approvedaccessoriesand attachments,call 1-800-659-5917.Data indicatesthat operators,age 60 years and above,areinvolvedin a largepercentageof riding mower-relatedinjuries.Theseoperatorsshouldevaluatetheirability to operatethe ridingmowersafelyenoughto protectthemselvesand othersfromseriousinjury.If situationsoccurwhich are not coveredin this manual,usecareand goodjudgment.SLOPE OPERATIONSlopesare a majorfactorrelatedto loss of controland tip-overaccidentswhichcan result in severeinjuryor death.All slopes requireextra caution.If youcannot back up the slopeor if youfeel uneasyonit, do not mowit.Foryoursafety,use the SlopeGuide includedas partof this manualto measureslopesbeforeoperatingthis machineon a slopedor hillyarea. If the slopeis greaterthan12 degreesas shownon the SlopeGuide,do notoperatethis machineon that area or seriousinjurycouldresult.Do:o Mowup and down slopes,not across.Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirectionon slopes.• Watchfor holes,ruts,bumps,rocks,or other hiddenobjects.Uneventerraincouldoverturnthe machine.Tallgrass can hideobstacles.Useslow speed.Choosea lowenoughspeedsettingso thatyou will nothaveto stop or shiftwhileon the slope.Tires maylose tractionon slopeseventhoughthe brakesare functioningproperly.Alwayskeepmachinein gearwhen goingdownslopesto take advantageof enginebrakingaction.• Followthe manufacturer'srecommendationsfor wheelweightsorcounterweightsto improvestability.Useextra carewith grass catchersor otherattachments.Thesecan changethe stabilityof the machine.Keepall movementon the slopes slowand gradual.Do not makesuddenchangesin speedor direction.Rapidengagementorbrakingcouldcausethe front of the machineto lift and rapidlyflipoverbackwardswhich couldcauseseriousinjury.• Avoidstartingor stoppingon a slope. If tires losetraction,disen-gage the blade(s)and proceedslowlystraightdownthe slope.Do Not:• Donot turnon slopesunlessnecessary;then, turnslowlyandgraduallydownhill,if possible.• Donot mow neardrop-offs,ditchesor embankments.The mowercould suddenlyturnover if a wheelis overthe edgeof a cliff,ditch,or if an edge cavesin.• Donot try to stabilizethe machineby puttingyourfoot on theground.• Donot usea grass catcheron steepslopes.• Donot mowon wet grass.Reducedtractioncouldcausesliding.• Donot attemptto coastdownhill.Over-speedingmaycausetheoperatorto lose controlof the machineresultingin seriousinjuryor death.• Donot tow heavypull behindattachments(e.g. loadeddumpcart,lawn roller,etc.)on slopesgreaterthan5 degrees.Whengoingdown hill,the extraweighttends to pushthe tractorand maycauseyou to loosecontrol(e.g. tractormayspeedup, brakingandsteeringability are reduced,attachmentmayjack-knifeand causetractorto overturn).4