To Operate Mower; To Transport; Before Starting The Engine; To Operate On Hills - Craftsman 917.255572 Owner's Manual

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 attachment clutch engaged will
shut off the engine.
• Select desired height of cut°
• Engage mower by slowly moving attachment dutch
lever to "ENGAGED" position..
• TO STOP MOWER o Move attachment clutch lever to
"DISENGAGED" position.
i i i i n i,Uiil_
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
R_H,
RUNNER
DISCHARGE GUARD
FIGo 10
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.
• Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills
• If slowing is necessary, move throttle control lever to
s}ower position
o
o
If stopping is absolutely necessary, push c_utch/brake
_oedal quickly to brake position and engage parking
rake.
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 turns slowly°
TO TRANSPORT
• Raise attachment lift control 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, 16)
• 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.
• Remove oil fill dipstick and wipe clean, replace and
screw cap tight, wait for a few seconds, 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 "OIL VISCOSITY CHART" in the
Customer Responsibilities section of this manual)
. To change engine oil, see the Customer ResponsibilF
ties section in this manual
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank, Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded
gasoline. (Use of leaded gasolinewillincrease carbon
and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life).
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 Jet 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 fuet 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.
13