Craftsman 917.288623 Operator's Manual page 20

CLEANING
• Clean engine, battery, seat, finish, etc.
of all foreign matter.
• Clean debris from steering plate. Debris
can restdct clutch/brake pedalshaft move-
rnent, causing belt slip and loss of drive.
CAUTION: Avoid all pinch points and
movable parts
_ OIutoh/bTa kep ed_, _y"
t f Clean /_ '_'_ Z
SteeringSystem, Dash,Fender
and MowerNotShown
• Keep finished surfaces and wheels free
of all gasoline, oil, etc.
• Protect paintedsurfaces with automotive
type wax.
Except for the washout port (if equipped),
we do not recommend using a garden hose
or pressure washer to clean the outside of
your tractor unless the engine and transmis-
sion are covered to keep water out. Water
in engine or transmission will shorten the
useful life of your tractor. Use compressed
air or a leaf blower to remove grass, leaves
and trash from outside tractor and mower.
DECK WASHOUT PORT
Your tractor's deck is equipped with a wash-
out port as part of its deck wash system. It
should be utilized after each use.
1. Drive the tractor to a level, clear spot
on your lawn, near enough to a water
spigot for your garden hose to reach.
IMPORTANT: Make certain the tractor's
discharge chute is directed AWAY from your
house, garage, parked cars, etc. Remove
bagger chute or mulch cover ff attached.
2. Make surefhe attachment clutch control
is in the "DISENGAGED" position, set
the parking brake, and stop the engine.
3. Thread the nozzle adapter (packaged
with your tractor's Operator's Manual)
onto the end of your garden hose.
4. Pull back the lock collar of the nozzle
adapter and push the adapter onto the
deckwashout port at the left end of the
mower deck. Release the lock collar to
lock the adapter on the nozzle.
IMPORTANT: Tug hose ensuring connec-
tion is secure.
5, Turn the water on.
6. While sitting in the operator's position
on the tractor, re-start the engine and
place the throttle lever in the Fast "_"
position,
IMPORTANT: Recheck the area to ensure
the area is clear. Ensure no children are in
the area while cleaning the deck.
7. Move the tractor's attachment clutch
control to the "ENGAGED" position.
Remain in the operator's position
with the cutting deck engaged until the
deck is cleaned.
8. Move the tractor's attachment clutch
control to the "DISENGAGED" posi-
tion. Turn the ignition key to the STOP
position to turn the tractor's engine off.
Turn the water off.
9. Pull back the lock collar of the nozzle
adapter to disconnect the adapter from
the nozzle washout port.
10. Move the tractor to a dry area, prefer-
ably a concrete or paved area. Place
the attachment clutch control in the
"ENGAGED" position to remove excess
water and to help dry before putting the
tractor away.
_WARNING: A broken
or missing
washout
fittingcouldexposeyou or othersto thrown
objectsfrom contactwith the blade.
• Replacebrokenor missingwashoutfitting
immediately, p riorto usingmoweragain.
• Plug any holes in mower with bolts and
Iocknuts.
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