Starting The Engine - Craftsman 917.271631 Owner's Manual

o The average lawn should be cut to
approximately 2-1/2 inches during the
cool season and to over 3 inches
during hot months,, For healthier and
better looking lawns, mow often and
after moderate growthr
° For best cutting perforrnance, grass
over 6 inches in height should be
mowed twice. Make the first cut
relatively high; tile second to desired
height.
TO OPERATE MOWER
'{our 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 tlle engine.
1. Select desired height of cut.
2. Start mower blades by engaging
attachment clutch control,.
TO STOP MOWER BLADES -
disengage attachment clutch control.
_b, CAUTION: Do not operate the mower
without either the entire grass catcher, on
mowers so equipped, or the deflector
shield in place..
Attachment
Clutch Lever Attachemnt
"Engaged" Lever High
Position _ Position
Low
Position
"Disengaged_
Position
_'1 Deflector Shield
TO OPERATE ON HILLS
_CAUTION: Do not drive up or down
hills with slopes greater than 15 ° and do
not drive across any slope.
. Choose the slowest speed before
starting up or down Mls.
o Avoid stopping or changing speed on
hills.
• If slowing is necessary, move throttle
control lever to slower position.
o if stopping is absolutely necessary,
push clutch/brake pedal quickly to
brake position 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,
• Make alt turns slowly.
TO TRANSPORT
° Raise attachment lift to highest position
with attachment lift control.
° 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) MPHo
NOTE: To protect hood from damage
when transpoiting 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.).
TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACH-
MENTS
Tow only the attachments that are
recommended 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 STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL. LEVEL
The engine in your tractor has been
sllipped, from the factory, already filled
with summer weight oil.
1o 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,
remove and read oil level If neces-
sary, 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 "OIL
VISCOSITY CHART" in the Mainte-
nance section of this manual),
o To change engine oil, see the Mainte-
nance section in this manual.
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