Craftsman 917.25022 Operator's Manual page 14

TO START ENGINE
When starting the engine for the first time or
if the engine has run out of fuel. it will take
extra cranking time to move fuel from the
tank to the engine.
1. Sit on seat in operating position, depress
clutch/brake pedal and set parking brake.
2. Place gear shift lever in neutral position.
3. Move attachment clutch to disengaged
position.
4. Move throttle control to choke position.
NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and
cold starting procedures below.
5, Insert key into Ignition and turn key
clockwise to start position and release
key as soon as engine starts. Do not run
starter contin uo usly for mo re than fifteen
seconds per minute. If the engine does
not start after several a_empts, move
throttle control to fast position, wait a
few minutes and try again. If engine still
does not start, move the throttle control
back to the choke position and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING
(50 ° F/10 ° C and above)
6. When engine starts, move the throttle
control to the fast position.
• The attachments and ground drive can
now be used. If the engine does not accept
the load, restart the engine and allow it to
warm up for one minute using the choke
as described above,
COLD WEATHER STARTING
(50 _ F/10 ° C and below)
7. When engine starts, reave throttle control
in choke position until engine warms up
and begins to run roughly. Once rough
running begins, immediately move the
throttle control to the fast position. Engine
warm-up may take from several seconds
to several minutes (the colder the tem-
perature, the longer the warm-up).
• The attachments can also be used during
the engine warm-up period,
NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet)
or in cold temperatures (below 32°F/0°C)
the carburetor fuel mixture may need to be
adjusted for best engine performance (see
"TO ADJUST CARB URETO R" in the Service
and Adjustments section of this manual).
MOWING TIPS
• Tire chains cannot be used when the
mower housing is attached to tractor.
• Mowershould be properly leveledforbest
mowing performance. See "TO LEVEL
MOWER HOUSING" in the Service and
Adjustments section of this manual.
, The left hand side of mower should be
used for trimming,
• Dnve sothat clippings are discharged onto
the area that has already been cut, Have
the cut areato the right of the tractor. This
will result in a more even distribution of
clippings and more uniform cutting.
• When mowing large areas, start bytu rning
to the right so that clippings will discharge
away from shrubs, fences, driveways,
etc. After one or two rounds, mow in the
opposite direction making left hand turns
until finished.
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• If grass is extremely tall, it should be
mowed twice to reduce load and possible
fire hazard from dried clippings. Make
first cut relatively high; the second to the
desired height.
• D o 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 ensure better mow-
ing performance and proper discharge
of material. Regulate ground speed by
selecting a low enough speed to give the
mower cutting performance as well as the
quality of cut desired.
• When operating attachments, select a
ground speed that will suit the terrain and
give best performance of the attachment
being used.
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