Craftsman EZ3 917.270611 Owner's Manual page 14

hot months. For healthier and better
looking lawns, mow often and after
moderate growth.
o For best cutting performance, grass
over 6 inches in height should be
mowed twice. Make the first cut relative-
ly high; the second to desired height.
TO OPERATE MOWER
Your tractor 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.
o Select desired height of cut.
• Start mower blades by engaging attach-
ment clutch control.
o TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disen-
,_cage attachment clutch control.
AUTION: Do not operate the mower
without eitherthe entire grass catcher, on
mowers so equipped, or the discharge
guard in place.
Attachment Lift Lever Attachment Lift Lever
High Position _. High Position
=Disengaged"position
___ LOWposition
_ OPERATE ON HILLS
CAUTION: Do not drive up or down
hillswith slopes greater than 15° and do
not drive across any slope. A slope guide
at the back of your manual is provided for
your use.
• Choose the slowestspeed before start-
ing up or down hills.
o Avoid stoppingor changing speed on
hills.
o If slowing is necessary, move throttle
controllever to slower position.
° If stoppingis absolutely necessary,
push clutch/brakepedal quickly to brake
positionand engage parkingbrake.
• Move gearshift lever to 1st gear. Be
sure you have allowed room for tractor
to rollslightly as you restart movement.
° To restart movement, slowly release
parkingbrake and clutch/brake pedal.
o Make all turns slowly.
TO TRANSPORT
o Raise attachment lift to highest position
with attachment lift control.
o When pushing or towing your tractor, be
sure gearshift lever is in neutral (N)
position.
Do not push or tow tractor at more than
five (5) MPH.
NOTE: To protect hood from damage
when transporting your tractor on a truck
or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and
secured to tractor. Use an appropriate
means of tying hood to tractor (rope, cord,
etc.).
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL
o The engine in your tractor has been
shipped,from the factory, already filled
with summer weight oil.
° Check engine oil with tractor on level
ground.
• Remove oil fill cap/dipstickand wipe
clean, reinsertthe dipstickand screw
cap tight, wait for a few seconds,
remove and read oil level. If necessary,
add oil until "FULL" mark on dipstickis
reached. Do not overfill.
o For cold weather operationyou should
change oil for easier starting (See "OIL
VISCOSITY' CHART" in the Mainten-
ance section of this manual).
o To change engine oil, see the Mainten-
ance sectionin this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
o Fillfuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of
87 octane. (Use of leaded gasolinewill
increase carbon and lead oxide
depositsand reduce valve life). Do not
mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel in
quantitiesthat can be used within30
days to assure fuel freshness.
IMPORTANT: When operating in tempera-
tures below 32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean
winter grade gasoline to help insure good
dAweather starting.
RNING: Experience indicatesthat
alcohol blended fuels (called gasoholor
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
t4