To Start Engine; Mowing Tips - Craftsman 917.252451 Owner's Manual

TO START ENGINE
(See Fig. 7)
When starting engine for the first time or if engine has run
out of fuel, itwill take extra cranking time to move fuel from
the tank to the engine.
• Depress clutch/brake pedal and set parking brake,
o Place gearshift lever in neutral (N) position.
° Move attachment clutch to "DISENGAGED" position.
Move throttle control lever to choke ( \ ) position for
cold engine start. Forwarm eng ne start, move throttle
control to fast (,_) position.
• Insert key into ignitionand turn key clockwise to"START"
position and release key as soon as engine starts. Do
not run starter continuously for more than fifteen
seconds per minute., If engine does not start after
several attempts move throttle control to fast (,_,)
position, wait a few minutes and try aga n_
o When engine starts, move throttle control to desired
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
"TO ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the Service and Adjust-
ments section of this manual.
iViOW NG TiPS
Tire chains cannot be used when the mower housing
is attached to tractor.
o Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing
performance. See"TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in
the Service and Adjustments section of this manual,,
° Use the runner on the right hand side of mower as a
guide. The blade cuts approximately an inch outside
the runner (See Fig. 8)
° 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
machine,, This will result in a more even distribution of
clippings and more uniform cutting°
o When mowing large areas, start by turning to the right
so that clippings will discharge away from shrubs,
fences, driveways, etc. After one ortwo rounds, mow
in the opposite direction making left hand turns until
finished (See Fig. 9 ).
. 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 weL 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 attachments, select a ground speed
that will suit the terrain and give best performance of
the attachment being used.
C
J
FIG, 9
13