Operation; Gas And Oil Fill-Up; Starting The Mower; Hours - Craftsman 247.887330 Operator's Manual

Theoperationof any lawnmowercan resultin foreignobjectsbeing
thrownintothe eyes,whichcan damageyoureyes severely. A lways
wearsafetyglasseswhileoperatingthe mower,or while performing
anyadjustmentsor repairson it.
Useextremecarewhenhandlinggasoline.Gasolineis extremely
flammableand the vaporsare explosive.Neverfuel machineindoors
or whilethe engineis hotor running.Extinguishcigarettes,cigars,
pipes,and othersourcesof ignition.
GAS AND OIL FILL-UP
Gas Fill
Useof Alcoholblendedfuels (calledgasoholor usingethanolor
methanol)canattract moisturewhich leadsto separation and forma-
tionof acids during storage.Acidic gascan damagethe fuel system
of an enginewhilein storage.
To avoidengine problems,the fuel systemshouldbe emptiedbefore
storagefor 30 daysor longer.Drainthe gastank, startthe engine
and let it run until thefuel linesand carburetorare empty. Usefresh
Ifuel next season.See STORAGEInstructions for additionalinforma-
[tion.
)ermanent damagemayoccur.
IMPORTANT:Themowerisshippedwithoutgas inthe fuel tank.
• Neverfill the fueltank completely.Fill thetank to no morethan
1/2-inchbelowbottomof filler neck to providespacefor fuel
expansion.
• Alwaysuseclean, fresh,unleadedgradeautomotivegasoline.
Fillthe fuel tank outdoorsand usea funnelor spoutto prevent
spilling.Makesurethat the containerfrom which youpour the
gasolineis cleanand free from rust or otherforeignparticles.
Makesureto wipe off any spilledfuel beforestartingthe engine.
• At the end of thejob, emptythe fueltank if the moweris not
goingto be usedfor 30 days or longer.Storegasolinein a clean
containerand keepthe cap in placeon the container.See STOR-
AGEinstructionsforadditionalinformation.
Be sure no one otherthanthe operatoris standingnearthe lawn
mowerwhile startingengineor operatingmower.Neverrunengine
indoorsor in enclosed,poorlyventilatedareas. Engineexhaust
containscarbonmonoxide,an odorlessand deadlygas. Keephands,
feet,hair,and looseclothingawayfrom anymovingparts
Oil Fill
IMPORTANT:The mowerisshippedwith motoroil in theengine;
however,you MUSTcheckthe oil levelbeforeoperating.Oil shouldbe
changedonce afterthe first two hoursof operationand every25 hours
of operationthereafter.Usethe grade of engineoil specifiedin the
Maintenance section.
.
2.
Removethe oil fill cap/dipstickfrom theoil fill tube.
Checkthat the levelof oil is up to the FULL markon the dipstick.
If needed,pouroil slowlyintothe oil fill tube untila FULLoil level
is achieved.
3. Replacetheoil fill cap/dipstick.
STARTING THE MOWER
1. Releaseall controlson the mowerto preventwheelsor blades
from rotating.
2. Movegearshift leverto neutral(N) position.
3. Movethethrottle/chokecontrolleverfully upwardto choke setting
I',1
to starta cold engineor to fast (rabbit)setting_ to starta
warm engine.
4. To startengineusing recoilstarter:
a. Standon left side (as viewedfrom behind handlebars) o f ma-
chine. Be sureyourfeet are safelyawayfrom the underside
of the mowerdeck and all mowercontrolsare released.
b. Graspstarterrope handleand pull slowlyuntil ropepulls
slightlyharder.Let rope rewindslowly.Thenpull rope with a
rapid,full arm stroke.Let ropereturnslowly.If enginefails to
start after threepulls, repeatinstructions(try settingthrottle
at fast setting).
c. Whenengine starts,operatein fast throttlesetting_lf
(movethrottle/chokecontrol leverfrom chokesettingto fast
setting).
Lookbehindthe mowerbeforeand during reverseoperation.Stop
the mowerbladesbeforeoperatingin reverse.
If you strikea foreignobject,stop theengine.Removewire from the
sparkplug,thoroughlyinspectmowerforany damage,and repair
damagebeforerestartingand operating.Extensive vibrationof
mowerduringoperationis an indicationof damage.Theunit should
be promptlyinspectedand repaired.
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