Craftsman 917.254640 Owner's Manual page 11

3_
Starting The Engine
a. Move throttle control lever (Fig, 7)past "'FAST"
to the "CHOKE" position.
b, Turn ignition key to "'START" and release key
as soon as engine starts,
CAUTION: DO NOT RUN STARTER CONTINUOUSLY
FOR MORE THAN FIFTEEN SECONDS PER
MINUTE.
c. If engine does not start after four or five tries,
move throttle control lever to "FAST" position,
wait a few minutes and try again. If the engine
does not start after four or five more tries, see
the TROUBLESHOOTING Chart (page 25).
d. After the engine starts move throttle control
lever slowly to the "SLOW" position.
e. To start a hot engine move the throttle control
lever to a position between "'FAST" and
"SLOW".
HEIGHT
ADJUSTMENT
KNOB
OPERA TION
ATTACHMENT CLUTCH
LEVER "DISENGAGED"
POSITION
ATTACHMENT CLUTCH
LEVER "'ENGAGED"
POSITION
LiFT LEVER
PLUNGER LIFT LEVER
• "HIGHEST"
OStTION
LIFT LEVER
POSITION
READ THE,, "RULES FOR SAFE
OPERATION CAREFULLY BEFORE
TiNG YOUR MOWER.
CAUTION: DO NOT ADD ADDITIONAL WEIGHT TO
THE TRACTOR OTHER THAN THE OP-
TIONAL WHEEL WEIGHTS. EXCESSIVE
WEIGHT MAY OVERLOAD AND DAMAGE
THE TRANSAXLE.
i , ii
ALWAYS WEAR SUBSTANTIAL FOOT-
WEAR AND AVOID LOOSE FITTING
CLOTHING THAT COULD GET CAUGHT
iN MOVING PARTS.
CAUTION
TO AVOID INJURY
I. Read owner's manual,
2. Know location and function of all controls.
3. Keep guards, safety shield and switches in place
and working.
4, Remove objects that can be thrown by blades,
5. Do not mow when children and others are around.
6. Never carry children or passengers.
7. Always took behind machine before backing.
8. Do not mow where machine can tip or slip.
9, If machine stops going uphill, stop blades and back
slowly down.
10, Be sure blades and engine have stopped before plac-
ing hands or feet near the blades.
t 1, Remove key when leaving machine.
MAKE SURE PARKH_G BRAKE WeLL HOLD
TRACTOR SECURe.
NEVER PLACE YOUR HANDS OR FEET iN
OR UND_ER ANY POWERED ATTACH- _NT OR _.AR ANY _V6_ PART
WH_LE TRACTOR OR ANY POWERED
ATTACHMENT iS RUNN_G.
RUNNER
RGE
GUARD
FIGURE 8
4. Operating Your Lawn Tractor & Mower
DO NOT OPERATE THE MOWER WITH-
OUT EITHER THE ENTIRE GRASS
CATCHER, ON MOWERS SO EQUIPPED,
OR THE DEFLECTOR SHIELD IN PLACE
t,t, t,tt tt,,
NOTE: THIS 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 LEVER ENGAGED
WILL SHUT OFF THE ENGINE,
a . Move the attachment lift lever to the high posi-
tion and adjust height of cut to mid range. See
Fig. 8.
b. Start the engine. (See Starting the Engine)
c. Move the throttle lever to mid range position.
Select a tow (1st or 2nd) gear until you become
more familiar with the operation of the unit.
d, Slowly release clutch brake pedal and proceed
to the mowing area.
e. Stop the unit, then select a mowing speed. (See
Speed Selection Guide, page 12).
f. Move throttle lever to half throttle and slowly
move attachment clutch lever to engaged posi-
tion, Fig. 8.
11