Carburetor 2 - Craftsman EZ3 917.258863 Owner's Manual

OPERATION
TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS (See Fig. 8)
Gaugewheels arepropedyadjustedwhen theyareslightlyoffthe
ground when mower is at the desired cutting height in operating
position. Gauge wheels then keep the deck inproper position to
help prevent scalping in most terrain cond_ionSo
• Adjust gauge wheelswith tractoron a flat level surface.
= Adjust mower to desired cutting height (See 'q*OADJUST
MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT" in the OperaUonsection of
this manual)°
o With mower in desired height of cut POSition, gauge wheels
should be assembled so they are slightly off the ground°
lns_l gauge wheel in appropriatehole with shoulder bolt, 3/
8 washer, and 3/8-16 Iocknut and tighten securely.
° Repeat for opposite side installing gauge wheel in same
adjustment hole.
TO TRANSPORT
• Raise attachment lift to highest position withattachment lift
control.
° When pushingor towing your tractor',be sure gearshiftlever
is in neutral (N) position.
° Do not push or tow tractorat more than five (5) MPH.
NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transporting your'
tractor on atruckor a trailer, be sure hood is closed and secured
to tractor. Use an appropriate means of tying hood to tractor
(rope, cord, etcJ.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig. 9)
• The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the
factory, already filled with summer weightoil.
° Check engine oit with tractor on level ground.
• Unthread and remove oil fill cap/dipstick; wipe oil off. Rein-
sert the dips'_ckintothe tube and rest oil fill cap on the tube.
Do not thread the cap onto the _be. Remove and read oil
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 _31LVISCOSITY CHART" in the Customer
Responsibil_es section of this manual)°
• To changeengine oil, see the Customer' Responsibilities
section in this manual.
FIG. 8
TO OPERATE MOWER (See Rgs. 6 and 7)
Your tractor is equipped with an operator presence sensing
switch. Any attempt by the operator to leavethe seat w_ththe
engine running and the attachment clutch engaged will shut off
the engine.
• Select desired height of cut.
• Lower mower with attachment lift control.
• Start mower blades by engaging attachment clutch controI.
• TO STOP MOWER BLADES- disengage attachment
clutch control.
H
CAUTION: Do not operate the mower
without either the entire grass catcher,
on mowers so equipped, or the dis-
charge guard in place.
TO OPERATE ON HILLS
ii
oo°=0r, J
with slopes greater than 15° and do not
drive across any slope.
• Choose the slowest speed before starting up or down hills°
• Avoid stopping orchangingspeed on hiHs_
• If slowing isnecessary, move throttle control leverto slower
pos_ono
° tfstoppingisabsolutely'necessary, pushclutch/brake p edal
quickly to brake pos_on and engage partdng brake_
• Move gearshift lever to 1stgearand rangeshiftlever to low
(L)position. Be sureyou haveallowed roomfortractortoroll
slightly as you restartmovement.
• To restart movement,slowly release parkingbrake and
clutch/brake pedal.
• Make all turnsslowly°
14
OIL FILL CAP/
.'K
FIG. 9
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular' unleaded
gasoline with a minimum of 87octane. (Use of leaded
gasoline will increase carbon and lead oxide deposits
and reduce valve life). Do not mix oil with gasoline.
Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30
days to assure fuel freshness.
IMPORTANT" WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES
BELOW 32QF(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE
GASOLINE 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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