Before Starting The Engine - Sears CRAFTSMAN 944.600750 Owner's Manual

17.5 hp electric start 42" mower 6 speed transaxle lawn tractor
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TO OPERATE ON HILLS
CAUTION: Do not drive up or down hills
with slopes greater than 15° and do not
drive across any slope.
Choose the slowest speed before starting up or down
hills.
Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills.
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 parking
brake.
Move gearshift lever to 1st gear. Be sure you have
allowed room for tractor to roll slightly as you restart
movement.
To restart movement, slowly release parking brake and
clutch/brake pedal.
Make all turns slowly.
TO TRANSPORT
Raise attachment lift to highest position with attachment
lift control.
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.).
TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS
Tow only the attachments that are recommended by and
comply with specifications of the manufacturer of your
tractor. Use common sense when towing. Too heavy of a
load, while on a slope, is dangerous. Tires can lose traction
with the ground and cause you to lose control of your tractor.

BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE

CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig. 14)
The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the
factory, already filled with summer weight oil.
Check engine oil with tractor on level ground.
Unthread and remove oil fill cap/dipstick; wipe oil off.
Reinsert the dipstick into the tube and rest oil fill cap on
the tube. Do not thread the cap onto the tube. Remove
and read oil level. If necessary, add oil until "FULL" mark
on dipstick is reached. Do not overfill.
For cold weather operation you should change oil for
easier starting (See "OIL VISCOSITY CHART" in the
Customer Responsibilities section of this manual).
To change engine oil, see the Customer Responsibilities
section in this manual.
OPERATION
ADD GASOLINE
Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded
gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. (Use of leaded
gasoline will increase carbon and lead oxide deposits
and reduce valve life). 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 fuels
(called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract
moisture which leads to separation and formation of acids
during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of
an engine while in storage. To avoid engine problems, the
fuel system should be emptied before storage of 30 days or
longer. Drain the gas tank, start the engine and let it run until
the fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next
season. See Storage Instructions for additional information.
Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur.
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 6)
When starting the engine for the first time or if the engine has
run out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move fuel
from the tank to the engine.
Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake
pedal and set parking brake.
Place gear shift lever in neutral (N) position.
Move attachment clutch to "DISENGAGED" position.
Move throttle control to choke ( ) position.
NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting
procedures below.
Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to
"START" position and release key as soon as engine
starts. Do not run starter continuously for more than
fifteen seconds per minute. If the engine does not start
after several attempts, move throttle control to fast
position, wait a few minutes and try again. If engine still
does not start, move the throttle control back to the
choke ( ) position and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50° F and above)
When engine starts, move the throttle control to the fast
position.
The attachments and ground drive can now be used. If
the engine does not accept the load, restart the engine
and allow it to warm up for one minute using the choke
as described above.
13
CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank
filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any
spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or
use gasoline near an open flame.

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