Clod Weather Starting; Using Jumper Cables To Start Engine; Stopping The Engine; Driving The Riding Mower - Craftsman 247.25001 Operator's Manual

Cold Weather Starting
When s tarting the engine attemperatures near o rbelow f reezing,
ensure the correct viscosity motor oilisused i nthe engine and the
battery isfully charged. Start the engine asfollows:
1. Be sure the battery isingood c ondition. Also, awarm battery has
much m ore s tarting capacity than acold battery.
2. Use fresh w inter grade fuel. Winter grade g asoline has higher volatility
toimprove starting. Do not u se gasoline left o ver from summer.
3. Follow t he previous instruction forStarting the Engine.
Using Jumper CablesTo Start Engine
Batteries contain sulfuric acid and produce explosive gasses. Make
certain the area iswell ventilated, wear gloves and eye protection,
land avod sparksor f amesnear the battery.
If the batterychargeis not sufficientto crank theengine,rechargethe
battery.If a batterychargeris unavailableand the ridingmowermust
be started,the aid of a boosterbatterywill be necessary.Connectthe
boosterbatteryas follows:
1. Connectthe end of one cableto the disabledridingmowerbat-
tery'spositiveterminal;then connectthe otherend of that cableto
the boosterbattery'spositiveterminal.
2. Connectone end of the othercableto the boosterbattery's
negativeterminal;then connectthe otherend of that cableto
the frameof the disabledridingmower,as farfrom the batteryas
possible.
3. Start the disabledriding mowerfollowingthe normalstarting
instructionspreviouslyprovided;thendisconnectthe jumper
cablesin theexact reverseorderof theirconnection.
4. Havethe riding mower'selectricalsystemcheckedand repaired
as soonas possibleto eliminatethe needfor jump starting.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
1. Placethe PTOswitchin the OFF position.
2. Movethe RHand LHdrivecontrolleversfully outwardin the
neutralposition.
3. EngagetheparkingbrakeO.
4. Movethethrottle/choke controltomidwaybetween the SLOW"_
and FAST _ positions.
5. Turnthe ignitionkey tothe STOP_ positionand removethe key
fromthe ignitionswitch.
NOTE:Alwaysremovethe keyfrom the ignitionswitchto preventacci-
dentalstartingor batterydischargeif the equipmentis left unattended.
PRACTICE OPERATION
(INITIAL USE)
Operating a zero-turnridingmoweris notlikeoperatinga conventional
type ridingridingmower.Because a zeroturn ridingmoweris more
maneuverable, gettingusedto operatingthecontrolleverstakessome
practice.
Westrongly recommend t hatyoulocate a reasonably l arge,level a ndopen
"practice area"wheretherearenoobstructions, pedestrians, or animals. You
should practice operating thending mower fora minimum of30 minutes.
Carefullymove-- or havean experienced usermove--the ridingmower
to thepracticearea.Whenperforming the practicesession,the PTO
shouldnotbe engaged.Whilepracticing, o peratethe ridingmower
atapproximately 1/2to 3/4throttleand at lessthanfull speedin both
forwardand reverse.
Carefullypracticemaneuvering theridingmowerand proceedto driveas
described in thefollowingDrivingtheRidingmowerForward section.
17
DRIVING THE RIDING MOWER
Avoidsuddenstarts,excessivespeedand suddenstops. ]
1. Adjustthe operator'sseat to the mostcomfortablepositionthat
allowsyou to operatethe controls.See"Adjustingthe Seat" the
Assemblysection.
2. Releasethe parkingbrake_:_.
3. Movethe RHand LHdrivecontrol leversinwardin the neutral
position.Referto Figure13.
Control Lever Moved
inward and in Neutral
/
Q
Figure13
NOTE: If the control leversare noteven in the neutralposition,refer
to Serviceand Maintenance for instructionsto adjust the leversso that
they are even.
4. Movethethrottle/chokecontrolleverforwardto the FAST
(full throttle)position.
NOTE: Althoughthe ridingmower'sengineis designedto runat full
throttle,when performing a practicesessionthe ridingmowermustbe
operatedat less than fullthrottle.This only appliesto practice.
Alwaysmaintaina firm grip on the controllevers.DONOT releasethe
controlleversto slowor stop the ridingmower;move leversto neutral
positionusingyour hands.
5. Todrive the ridingmower,firmlygraspthe respective drivecontrol
leverswith your rightand left handsand continuewith Drivingthe
RidingmowerForwardon the followingpage.