To Operate Mower; Before Starting The Engine; To Operate On Hills; Check Engine Oil Levels - Craftsman 917.255430 Owner's Manual

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OPERATIC
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TO OPERATE MOWER (See Fig. 8) o
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 attachment clutch engaged will °
shut off the engine.
,, Select desired height of cuL
o Start mower blades by engaging attachment clutch "
control,.
. TO STOP MOWER BLADES- Disengage attachment °
clutch control
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CAUTION: Do not operate the mower
without either the entire grass catcher,
on mowers so equipped, or the dis-
charge guard in place.
ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER
"DISENGAGED" POSITION
"ENGAGED '_
POSITION
ATTACHMENT
LIFT LEVER
HIGH POSITION
LOW
POSITION
RUNNER
DISCHARGE GUARD
FIG. 8
TO OPERATE ON HILLS
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cAUTIoN: Do not drive up or down
hills with slopes greater than 15 ° and
do not drive across any slope.
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. Choose the slowest speed before starting up or down
hills.
° Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills.
• 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.
To restart movement, slowly release parking brake and
clutch/brake pedal..
Make all tums slowly.
TO
TRANSPORT
• Raise attachment lift lever to highest position.
• 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.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig. 13)
• The engine in your unit has been shipped, from the
factory, already filled with summer weight oil.
o Check engine oil with unit on level ground.
- Remove oil fil! dipstick and wipe clean, replace and
screw cap tight, wait for a few seconds, remove and
read oil level., tf 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, see the Customer Responsibili-
ties section in this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean regular unleaded
gasoline. (Use of leaded gasoline wilt increase carbon
and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life)o
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES
BELOW 32°F(0°C), USE FRESH CLEAN WINTER GRADE
GASOL NE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER
STARTING.
WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol blended
fuels (called 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 while 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 cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank
filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any
spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or
use gasoline near an open flame.
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