Before Starting The Engine; To Operate Mower; To Operate On Hills; Check Engine Oil Level - Craftsman 917.273396 Owner's Manual

o The average lawn should be cut to ap m
proximately 2ml/2 inches during the cool
season and to over 3 inches during hot
months. For healthier and better looking
lawns, mow often and after moderate
growth.
o For best cutting performance, grass over
6 inches in height should be mowed
twice. Make the first cut relatively high;
the second to desired height.
TO OPERATE MOWER
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. You must
remain fully and centrally positioned in the
seat to prevent the engine from hesitating
or cutting off when operating your equip_
ment on rough, rolling terrain or hills,
1. Select desired height of cut,
2, Start mower blades by engaging at_
tachment clutch control,
TO STOP MOWER BLADES
disengage attachment clutch control,
_ICAUTmON: Do not operate the mower
without either the entire grass catcher,
on mowers so equipped, or the deflector
shield in place,
TO OPERATE ON HmLLS
_IIWARNING: Do not drive up or down
hills with slopes greater than 15 ° and do
not drive across any slope. Use the slope
guide at the back of this manual.
o Choose the slowest speed before starb
ing up or down hills.
o Avoid stopping or changing speed on
hills,
o If slowing is necessary, move throttle
control lever to slower position.
o If stopping is absolutely necessary, push
clutch/brake pedal quickly to brake posim
tion and engage parking brake.
o Move gearshift lever to 1st gear. Be
sure you have allowed room for tractor
to roll slightly as you restart movement.
o To restart movement, slowly release
parking brake and clutch!brake pedal.
o Make all turns slowly.
TO TRANSPORT
o Raise attachment lift to highest position
with attachment lift control.
o When pushing or towing your tractor,
be sure gearshift lever is in neutral (N)
position.
o 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.).
TOWmNG CARTS AND OTHER ATTACH-
MENTS
Tow only the attachments that are recom-
mended 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 STARTmNG THE ENGmNE
CHECK ENGINE OraL LEVEL
The engine in your tractor has been
shipped, from the factory, already filled
with summer weight oil.
1. Check engine oil with tractor on level
ground.
2. Remove oil fill cap!dipstick and wipe
clean, reinsert the dipstick and screw
cap tight, wait for a few seconds, re-
move 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 the
oil viscosity chart in the Maintenance
section of this manual).
o To change engine oil, see the Mainte-
nance section in this manual.
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