Add Gasoline; To Start Engine; Mowing Tips - Craftsman 917.255980 Owner's Manual

ADD GASOLINE
• Fi!! fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded
gasoline. (Use of leaded gasolin._ willi_q.cr_a,_ca_o_'-;
and lead oxide deposits and reduce v_a'lve lire)_ .....
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES
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 (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.
l& CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank
fi!lerneck. Do notoverfili. Wipe offany
spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or
use gasoline near an open flame.
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 9)
When starting engine for the first time or if engine has run
out of fuel, it willtake extra cranking time to movefuel from
the tank to the engine.
• Depress clutch!brake pedal and set parking brake_
° Place gearshift lever in neutral (N) position.
° Move attachment clutch to "DISENGAGED" position.
° Pull choke control out to choke (kl) positionfor cold
eng ne start° For warm engine start do not use ctloke
contmL
• Move throttlecontrolto midway between fast (._) and
s!ow (,_) positions.
• insertkeyintoIgnition and turnkeyclockwiseto"START"
positionand release key as soon as engine starts. Do
not run starter continuously for more than fifteen
seconds per rninute_ If engine does not start after
several attempts, move throttle control to fast (,f_)
position,wait a few minutes and try again.
• When engine starts, slowly push choke control in.
• Move throttle control to fast (_) position°
° Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before
engaging drive or attachments..
NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold
temperatures (below 32°F), the carburetor'fuel mixture
may need to be adjusted for best engine performance. See
'q'O ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the Service and Adjust-
ments section of this manual
MOWING TIPS
° Tire chains cannot be used wilen the mower housing
is_attachedto tractor.
° Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing
p_rformance_ See"TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING in
the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.
° Use the runner on the dght hand side of mower as a
guide. The blade cuts approximately an inch outside
the runner (See Fig.. 11)_
° The left hand side of mower should be used for trim-
ming.
° Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area
that has been cut. Have the cut area to the right of the
tractor.. This will result.in a more even distribution of
clippings and more unif_xm cutting.
• When mowing large areas, start by turning to the right
so that clippings will discharge away from shrubs,
fences, driveways, etc, After one or'two rounds, mow
in tire opposite direction making left hand turns until
finished (See Fig_ 13).
• If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to
reduce load and possible fire hazard from dried clip-
pings. Make first cut relatively high; the second to the
desired heighL
• Do not mow grass when it is wet, Wet grass will plug
mower and leave undesirable clumps. Allow grass to
dry before mowing.
• Always operate engine at full throttle when mowing to
assure better' mowing performance and proper dis-
charge of material, Regulate ground speed by select-
ing a low enough gear' to give the mower cutting
performance as well as the quality of cut desired.
• When operating attacttments, select a ground speed
that will suit the terrain and give best performance of
the attachment being used.
,i(
FIG. 13
14