Craftsman 944.367441 Owner'S Manual Download

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• Do not pull mower backwards unless

absolutely nec es sary. Always look down
and behind before and while moving
backwards.

• Never direct discharged material toward

anyone. Avoid discharging material
against a wall or obstruction. Material
may richochet back toward the operator.
Stop the blade when crossing gravel
surfaces.

• Do not operate the mower without

proper guards, plates, grass catcher or
oth er safety protective devices in place.

• See manufacturer’s instructions for

proper operation and installation of
accessories. Only use accessories ap-
proved by the manufacturer.

• Stop the blade(s) when crossing grav el

drives, walks, or roads.

• Stop the engine (motor) whenever you

leave the equip ment, before clean ing
the mower or unclogging the chute.

• Shut the engine (motor) off and wait

until the blade comes to complete stop
before removing grass catcher.

• Mow only in daylight or good artifi cial

light.

• Do not operate the machine while under

the infl uence of alcohol or drugs.

• Never operate machine in wet grass.

Always be sure of your footing: keep a
fi rm hold on the handle; walk, never run.

• Disengage the self-propelled mech-

a nism or drive clutch on mowers so
equipped before starting the engine.

• If the equipment should start to vi brate

abnormally, stop the engine (motor) and
check immediately for the cause. Vibra-
tion is generally a warning of trouble.

• Always wear safety goggles or safe ty

glasses with side shields when op er -
at ing mower.

II. SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to slip &
fall accidents which can result in severe
injury. All slopes require extra caution. If
you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it.

DO:
• Mow across the face of slopes: nev er

up and down. Exercise extreme caution
when changing direction on slopes.

• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree

limbs, etc.

• Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Tall

grass can hide obstacles.

DO NOT:
• Do not trim near drop-offs, ditches or

embankments. The operator could lose
footing or balance.

• Do not trim excessively steep slopes.
• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced

footing could cause slipping.

III. CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the op er a tor
is not alert to the presence of children.
Children are often attracted to the ma-
chine and the mowing activity. Never as-
sume that children will remain where you
last saw them.
• Keep children out of the trimming area

and under the watchful care of an oth er
re spon si ble adult.

• Be alert and turn machine off if chil dren

enter the area.

• Before and while walking back wards,

look behind and down for small chil dren.

• Never allow children to operate the

machine.

• Use extra care when approaching blind

corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects
that may obscure vision.

IV. SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE

Use extreme care in handling gasoline.
Gasoline is extremely fl ammable and the
vapors are explosive.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes

and other sources of ignition.

• Use only an approved container.
• Never remove gas cap or add fuel with

the engine running. Allow engine to
cool before refueling.

• Never refuel the machine indoors.
• Never store the machine or fuel contain-

er where there is an open fl ame, spark
or pilot light such as a water heater or
on other appliances.

• Never fi ll containers inside a vehicle, on

a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner.
Always place containers on the ground
away from your vehicle before fi lling.

• 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.

• Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim

of the fuel tank or container opening at
all times until fueling is complete. Do
not use a nozzle lock-open device.

• If fuel is spilled on clothing, change

clothing immediately.

• Never overfi ll fuel tank. Replace gas

cap and tighten securely.