Before Starting The Engine; To Operate Mower; To Operate On Hills; To Transport - Craftsman 917.254850 Owner's Manual

OPERATUON
TO OPERATE MOWER (See Fig. 10)
Your unit is equipped with an operator presence sensing
switch° Any attempt by the operator to leave the seat with
the engine running and the mower clutch engaged wilt shut
off the engine.
o Select desired height of cuL
° Lower mower with attachment lift control.
o Start mower blades by engaging attachment clutch
control
o TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disengage attachment
clutch control.,
CAUTION: Do not operate the mower
without either the entire grass catcher,
on mowers so equipped, or the dis-
charge guard in place.
° To restart movement, slowly release parking brake and
clutch/brake pedal..
o Make all turns slowly..
TO TRANSPORT
o Raise attachment lift control to highest position.
o When pushing or towing your unit, be sure gearshift
lever is in "NEUTRAL" position.
° Do not push or tow unit at more than five (5) MPH..
NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transporting
your tractor on a truck ora trailer, be sure hood is closed and
secured to tractor. Use an appropriate means of tying hood
to tractor (rope, cord, etc..).
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER
"DISENGAGED" POSITION
"ENGAGED"
POSITION
ATTACHMENT
LIFT LEVER
HIGH POSITION
LOW
POSITION
FIG. I0
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
hills.
o Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills.
o If slowing is necessary, move throttle control lever to
slower position_
= If stopping is absolutely necessary, push clutch/brake
pedal quickly to brake position and engage parking
brake.
Move gearshift lever to 1st gear and be sure you have
allowed room for tractor to roll slightly as you restart
movement..
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig, 16)
o The engine in your unit has been shipped, from the
factory, already filled with summer weight oil..
° Check engine oil with unit on level ground.
• Unthread and remove oil fill cap/dipstick; wipe oil off..
Reinsert the dipstick into the tube and rest oil fill cap on
the tube. Do not thread the cap onto the tube. Remove
and read oif level If necessary, add oil until "FULL"
mark on dipstick is reached. Do not overfill..
• For cold weather operation you should change oil for
easier starting (See "OIL VISCOSITY CHART" in the
Customer Responsibilities section of this manual).
° To change engine oil seethe Customer Responsibili-
ties section in this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
° Fill fuel tank.. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded
gasoline. (Use of leaded gasoline will increase carbon
and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life)..
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING tNTEMPERATURES
BELOW 32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE
GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER
STARTING
WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol blended
fuels (cal{ed gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can
attract moisture which leads to separation and formation of
acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel
system of an engine whiie in storage. To avoid engine
problems, the fuel system should be emptied before stor-
age of 30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the
engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are
empty. Use fresh fuel next season° See Storage instruc-
tions for additional information.. Never use engine or
carburetor cieaner products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur
CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank
filler neck. Do not overfill Wipe offany
spilled oil or fuel, Do not store, spill or
use gasoline near an open flame.
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