Craftsman 250 Utility Vehicle User Manual


 
26. Use only accesaories and attachments approved for this
machine by the machine manufacturer. Read,
understand and follow all instructions provided with the
accessory or attachment.
27. Data indicates thatoperators, age 60 years and above,
are involved in a large percentage of tractor-relsted
injuries. These operators should evaluate their ability to
operate the tractor safely enough to protect themselves
and others from serious injury.
28. Ifsituations occur which are notcovered inthis manual,
use care and good judgment. Contact Sears service
center for assistance.
Slope Operation
Slopes are a major factor related to loss ofcontrol and tip-
over accidents which can result in severe injuryor death. All
slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope
or ifyou feel uneasy, do not mow it.
For safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this
manual to measure slopes before operating thisuniton s
sloped or hilly area. Ifthe slope isgreater than 15 degrees as
shownon the slope gauge, do not operate this unitthere.
Do:
1. Mow up and down slopes, not across. Exercise extreme
caution when changing direction on slopes.
2. Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden
objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall
grass can hide obstacles.
3. Use slow speed. Choose a low enough speed setting so
that you will nothave to stop or shiftwhile on the slope,
Tires may lose traction on slopes even though the brakes
are functioning properly. Always keep machine in gear
when going down slopes totake advantage ofengine
braking action.
4. Followthe manufacturer's recommendations for wheel
weights or counterweights to improve stability of the
machine. Usa extra care with grass catchers or other
attachments. These can change stability of the machine.
5. Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do
notmake sudden changes in speed or direction. Rapid
engagement or braking could cause the front of the
machine to liftand rapidly flipover backwards which
could cause serious injury.
6. Avoid startingor stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction,
disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowlystraight down
the slope.
Do Not"
1. Do notturn on slopes unless necessary;,then, turn slowly
and gradually downhill, if possible.
2. Do not mow near drop-off sites,ditches or embankments.
The mower could suddenly turn over ifa wheel isover the
edge of a cliff,ditch,or ifan edge caves in.
3. Do not try tostabilize the machine byputting your foot on
the ground.
4. Do not use a grass catcher on steep slopes.
5. Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause
sliding.
6. Do notshift to neutral and coast downhill. Over-speeding
may cause the operator to lose controlof the machine
resulting in serious injuryor death.
7. Do nottow heavy pull behind attachments (e.g. loaded
dump cart, lawn roller, etc.) on slopes greater than 5
degrees.Whengoingdownhill,theextraweighttendsto
pushthetractorandmaycauseyoutoloosecontrol.(e.g.
tractor mayspeed up,brakingand steedngabilityare
reduced,attachmentmayjsck-kniteandcausetractorto
overfum).
Children
1,
Tragic accidents can occur it the operator isnot alert to
the presence of children. Children are often attracted to
the machine and the mowing activity.They do not
understand the dangers. Never assume that children will
remain where you lastsaw them.
a. Keep children outof the mowing area and in
watchful care ofa responsible adult other than the
operator.
b. Be alert and turn machine off if a childenters the
area.
c. Before and while backing, look behind and down
for small children.
d. Never carry children, even with the blade(s) shut
off. They may fall offand be seriously injured or
interfere with safe machine operation.
e. Usa extreme care when approaching blind
corners, doorways, shrubs, trees or other objects
that may block yourvision of a child who may run
intothe machine.
f. Disengage the cutting blede(s) before shifting in
reverse. The =No-Cut-in Reverse" feature
emphasizes notto cut in reverse and to avoid
back-over accidents; do not defeat it.
Keep children away from hot or running engines.
They can suffer burns from a hot muffler.
Remove key when machine isunattended to
prevent unauthorized operation.
Never allow children under 14 years old to operate the
machine. Children 14 years oldand over should read and
understand the operation instructionsand safety rules in
this manual and should be trained and supervised by a
g.
h.
2.
parent.
Service
Safe Handling Of Gasoline
1. To avoid personal injury or propertydamage usa extreme
care in handling gasoline. Gasoline isextremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive. Serious
personal injurycan occur when gasoline is spilled on
yourself or your clothes which can ignite.Wash your skin
and change clothes immediately.
a. Usa only an approved gasoline container.
b. Never fill containers insidea vehicle or on a truck
or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place
containers on the ground away from your vehicle
before filling.
c. When practical, remove gas-powered equipment
from the truck or trailor and refuel it on the ground.
If this isnot possible, then refuel such equipment
on a trailer with a portable container, rather than
trom a gasoline dispenser nozzle.
d. Keep the nozzle incontact with the rim ofthe fuel
tank or container opening at all times until fueling
iscomplete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open
device.
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