Craftsman 917.25148 Owner's Manual page 14

OPERATm©N
TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS (See Fig. 8) °
Adjust gauge wheels with tractor on a flat level surface.
• Adjust mower to desired cutting height (See "TO AD-
JUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT" in the Operation
section of this manual).
o With mower in desired height of cut position, gauge
wheels should be assembled so they are slightly off the
ground. Install gauge wheel in appropriate hole with
shoulder bolt, 3/8 washer, and 3f8-16 tocknut and
tighten securely,.
o Repeat for opposite side installing gauge wheel in
same adjustment hole.
GUAGE
WHEEL _._
MOUNTING "
\.
3/8-16 ,-L' '_D ER BOLT
LOCKNUT " . _-
318 WASHER J_' /
GAUGE WHEEL
FIG. 8
TO OPERATE MOWER (See Figs. 6 and 7)
Your tractor is equipped with an operator presence sensing
switch. Any attempt by the operator to leave the seat with
the engine running and the attachment clutch engaged will
shut off the engine.
• Select desired height of cut
o Lower mower with attachment lift control..
o Start mower blades by engaging attachment clutch
controt_
o TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disengage attachment
clutch control,
CAUTION: Do'n0i opera;'e"'the mower
I
_ without either the entire grass catcher,
on mowers so equipped, or the dis- |
________ charge guard in place.:..............
;HARGE
GUARD
FIG. 9
TO OPERATE ON HILLS
i
°
4_ ..... CAIJ'TION:'Do not drive 'u';'0'r down ]
hills with slopes greater than 15° and II
do not drive across any slope. !
Choose the slowest speed before starting up or down
hills.
Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills.
,,,i ..........
If slowing is necessary, move throttle control lever to
slower position.
, If stopping is absolutely necessary push clutch/brake
pedal quickly to brake position and engage park ng
brake.
. Move gearshift lever to 1st gear and range shift tever to
low (L) position. Be sure you have allowed room for
tractor to roll slightly as you restart movement,.
o To restart movement, slowly release parking brake and
clutchlbrake pedal.
o Make all turns slowly.
TO TRANSPORT
o Raise attachment lift to highest position with attach-
ment lift control
o When pushing or towing your tractor, be sure gearshift
lever is in neutral (N) position.
Do not push or tow tractor at more than five (5) MPH
NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transporting
your tractor on a truck or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and
secured to tractor.. Use an appropriate means of tying hood
to tractor (rope, cord, etc.).
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig. 10)
o The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the
factory, already filled with summer weight oil.
o Check engine oil with tractor on level ground
° Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe clean, reinsert the
dipstick and push it all the way down into the tube, wait
for a few seconds, remove and read oil level If
necessary, add oil until "FULL" mark on dipstick is
reached Do not overfill.
o For cold weather operation you should change oil for
easier starting (See "OIL VISCOSITY CHART" in the
Customer Responsibilities section of this manual).
o To change engine oil, see the Customer Responsibili-
ties section in this manual
OIL FILL CAP/DIPSTICK
FIG. 10
ADD GASOLINE
o Fill fuel tank_ Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded
gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. (Use of leaded
gasoline wilt increase carbon and lead oxide deposits
and reduce valve life)o Do not mix oil with gasoline.
Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30
days to assure fuel freshness
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES
BELOW 32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE
GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER
STARTING.
WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol blended
fuets (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can
attract moisture which leads to separation and formation of
14
acids during storage.. Acidic gas can damage the fuel