Craftsman CX series 247.374880 Operator's Manual page 98

Fuel m ustbefreshandclean.NEVER u sefuel left overfrom last
season o r storedforlong periods.
NEVER m ixoil with fuel.
DONOTusefuelcontainingMethanol(WoodAlcohol)
NOTE: Beforerefueling, a llowengineto cooltwo minutes.
I. Clean aroundfuel fill before removingcapto fuel.
2. Filltank until fuel reaches I /2inchbelowthe bottomofthe filler neck to
allowspace forfuel expansion. B ecareful n ot to overfill.
3. Replace t he gasoline capandtightensecurely. Wipeup spilledfuelbefore
startingengine.If fuelis spilledDO NOT startengine.Movemachine away
fromareaof spillage.Avoid creatinganysource of ignitionuntilfuel vapors
aregone.
Besureno oneotherthan the operator isstandingnear the lawn mower
while starting engine or operating mower.Neverrunengine indoorsor
inenclosed,poorlyventilated areas.Engineexhaust containscarbon
monoxide,an odorlessanddeadlygas. Keephands,feet, hair andloose
clothing awayfrom anymoving parts on engine andlawn mower.
Starting the Engine
1. Disengage a ll controls on the mower.
2. Movethe gearshift leverinto the neutral(N)position.
3. Insertthe keyintothe ignitionswitch.
4. If startingacoldengine,placethe throttle/choke controlall the way
forward,into the CHOKE |_1 position.If restartingawarmengine,place the
throtNe/choke c ontrolinto the Fast _ position.
5. Turnthe ignitionkeyclockwise tothe START ___osition. Afterthe engine
starts,release the key.Itwill returnto the RUN 0 position.
4. Remove t he keyfromthe ignitionswitchto preventunintended starting.
Engaging the Drive
Avoidsuddenstarts, excessive speedandsuddenstops.
Startthe engineasinstructed earlierinthissectionandmovethe throttle/choke
controlinto the FAST _ position.
TotravelFORWARD:
1. Place the gearshift leverinanyofthe four forwardgroundspeeds. S electa
speed appropriate forthe conditions anda paceyou'recomfortable with.
2. Slowly squeeze the DriveControl a gainst t he left handle gripandthe mower
will move.Release i t anddrivemotionwill stop.
Totravelin REVERSE:
1. Check t hatthe areabehindisclear.
2. Place the gearshift leverinReverse ( R).
3. Slowly squeeze the DriveControl a gainst t he left handle gripandthe mower
will move.Release i t anddrivemotionwill stop.
DoNOT attempt to changethe directionof travelwhen the mower is
in motion. Alwaysreleasethe drive control and bring the mower to a
completestop beforerepositioning the gearshift leverfrom aforward
gear into Reverse. F ailureto do somay result in seriousdamageto your
transmission.
Donot leavethe operator'spositionwithout first releasing the Blade
Control.If leavingthe mower unattended,alsoturn the engineoff and
removethe ignition key.
DoNOT holdthe keyin the START p ositionfor longerthan five seconds at a
time. Doingsomaycausedamageto yourengine'selectricstarter.
6. Movethe keyto the RUN/LIGI-IT _-iii_ positionto operate the mowerusing
the headlight.
7. Movethe throttle/choke controlinto the FAST _ 11 position.
NOTE: Never l eavethe throttle/choke controlinthe CHOKE _.l positionwhile
operating the mower.Doingsowill resultin a"rich"fuel mixtureandcause the
engineto runpoorly.
Stopping the Engine
If youstrike aforeign object,stop the engine andremovethe ignition
key.Thoroughly i nspect t he machinefor any damage.Repairthe damage
beforerestarting andoperating.
1. If the blades areengaged, r elease the BladeControl.
2. Movethe throttle/choke controlinto the STOP [ _ position.
3. Turnthe ignitionkeycounterclockwise to the STOP/O position.
Engaging the Blades
Tohelpavoid bladecontact or a thrown objectinjury, keepbystanders,
helpers,children and pets at least 75feet from the machinewhile it isin
operation.Stopmachineif anyoneentersthe area.
1. Movethe throttle/choke control t o the FAST _ t position.
2. Slowly squeeze the BladeControl a gainst t he righthandlegripandthe
blades will engage. R elease i t andthe bladeswill stop.
Operating On Slopes
Refer t o the SLOPE G UIDE o n page7to helpdetermineslopes whereyoumay
operatethe mowersafely.
14
Donot mowon inclineswith aslope inexcess of 15degrees(a rise of
approximately2-I12feet every10feet).The mowercould overturn and
causeseriousinjury.
Mowacross the faceof slopes; n everupanddown.