Craftsman 247.77246 Operator's Manual

• Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesand other sourcesofignition.• Neverfuel machineindoorsbecauseflammablevapors willaccumulatein the area.• Neverremovegas capor add fuel whileengineis hotor running.Allowengineto coolat leasttwo minutesbeforerefueling.• Neveroverfill fueltank. Fill tankto no morethan1/2inchbelowbottomof filler neck to providefor fuelexpansion.• Replacegasolinecapand tighten securely.• If gasolineis spilled,wipe it off theengineand equipment.Movemachineto anotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestarting engine.• Neverstorethe machineor fuel containernear an open flame,sparkor pilotlight as on a waterheater,spaceheater, furnace,clothesdryeror othergas appliances.• To reducefire hazard,keeplawnedger freeof grass,leaves,orotherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanup oil or fuel spillageand removeanyfuel soakeddebris.• Allowa lawnedgerto cool at leastfive (5) minutesbeforestoringOPERATION• Do not puthandsor feet near rotatingparts.Contactwith therotatingbladecan amputatehandsand feet.The bladecontrolhandleis a safetydevice.Neverbypassitsoperation.Doingso, makesthe machineunsafeand maycausepersonalinjury.Neveroperatewithoutbladeguard,debrisshieldand bladecontrolhandlein placeand working.Neveroperatewith damagedsafetydevices.Failureto do so, canresult in personalinjury.Neverrun an engine indoorsor in a poorlyventilatedarea. Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,an odorlessand deadlygas.Do notoperatemachinewhileunder the influenceof alcoholordrugs.Mufflerand engine becomehotand can causea burn.Do nottouch.Neveroperatethis machinewithoutgood visibilityor light.Alwaysbe sureof yourfootingand keepa firm hold on the handles.Walk,neverrun.Do notoperatethis machineif it has beendroppedor damaged.Returnmachineto your nearestauthorizedservicingdealerforexaminationand repair.Do notoperatethis machinewith a damagedor excessivelyworncuttingblade.Neverattemptto clearmaterialfrom the bladeguard whiletheengineis running.Shut theengineoff, disconnectthe sparkplug wireand groundagainstthe engineto preventunintendedstarting.Do notoverloadmachinecapacitybyattemptingto edge at toofastof a rate.Stayalert for unevensidewalks,terrainetc.Alwayspush slowlyoverrough surfaces.Donot usethis machineon gravelsurfaces.Do notoperatemachinein rain or wet soil conditions.• Alwaysoperatemachinefrom behindthe handlesand positionyourselfwherethe direct lineof sight to cuttingbladeis blockedby guards.• Alwaysstopenginewhenedging or trimmingis delayedor whentransportingmachinefrom one locationto another.• Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.Stopthe engine,disconnectsparkplug wireand groundagainstthe enginetopreventunintendedstarting.• Only useparts and accessoriesmadefor this machineby themanufacturer.Failureto do so, can resultin personalinjury.• If situationsoccur whichare notcoveredin this manual,use careand good judgment.ContactCustomerSupportfor assistanceorthe nameof your nearestservicedealer.CHILDRENTragicaccidentscan occur if the operatoris not alertto the presenceof children.Childrenare often attractedto powerequipmentsuch aslawnedgers.They do notunderstandthe dangers.Neverassumethatchildrenwill remainwhereyou last saw them.Keepchildrenout of theedging area and underwatchfulcare of aresponsibleadultotherthan theoperator.Be alertand turn lawnedgeroff if a child entersthe area.• Beforeand whilemovingbackwards,look behindand down forsmall children.Useextremecare whenapproachingblindcorners,doorways,shrubs,trees,or otherobjectsthat mayobscureyourvision of achild whomay run intothe lawnedger.Keepchildrenawayfrom hot or runningengines.They can sufferburnsfrom a hot muffler.Neverallowchildrenunder 14yearsof age to operatethismachine.Children14and overshouldreadand understandtheinstructionsand safeoperationpracticesin this manualand onthe machineand be trainedand supervisedby an adult.MAINTENANCE & STORAGE• Neverrun an engineindoorsor in a poorlyventilatedarea.Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,an odorlessand deadlygas.Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspecting,makecertaintheblade and all movingparts havestopped.Disconnectthe sparkplug wireand groundagainstthe engineto preventunintendedstarting.Checkthe bladeand engine mountingboltsat frequentintervalsfor propertightness.Also,visuallyinspectbladefor damage(e.g.,bent, cracked,worn) Replacebladewith the originalequipmentrnanufacture's(O.E.M.)bladeonly,listed in this manual."Useofparts which do not meetthe originalequipmentspecificationsmaylead to improperperformanceand compromisesafety!"Lawnedger bladesare sharpand can cut. Wrapthe bladeorweargloves,and useextra cautionwhenservicingthem.Keepall nuts, bolts,and screwstight to be surethe equipmentisin safe workingcondition.Nevertamperwith safetydevices.Checktheir properoperationregularly.4