Towing Carts And Other Attachments; Before Starting The Engine - Craftsman 917.288341 Operator's Manual

_WARNING: Backing up with the at-
tachment clutch engaged while mowing is
strongly discouraged. Turning the ROS "ON",
to allow reverse operation with the attach-
ment clutch engaged, should only be done
when the operator decides it is necessary to
reposition the machine with the attachment
engaged. Do not mow in reverse unless
absolutely necessary.
USING THE REVERSE OPERATION
SYSTEM -
Only use if you are certain no children or other
bystanders will enter the mowing area.
1. Depress brake pedal all the way down.
2. With engine running, turn ignition key
counterclockwise to ROS "ON" position.
3. Look down and behind before and while
backing.
4. Slowly depress reverse drive pedal to
start movement.
5. When use of the ROS is no longer
needed, turn the ignition key clockwise
to engine "ON" position.
ROS "ON"
POSITION
ENGINE "ON" POSITION
(NORMAL OPERATING)
TO OPERATE ON HILLS
_WARNING: Do not drive up or down
hills with slopes greater than 15 ° and do not
drive across any slope. Use the slope guide
provided at the back of this manual.
• Choosethe slowest speed before starting
up or down hills.
• Avoid stopping orchanging speed on hills.
• If stopping is absolutely necessary, push
brake pedal quickly to brake position and
engage parking brake.
• Torestartmovement, slowlyreleasepark-
ing brake and brake pedal.
• Slowly depress appropriate drive pedal to
slowest setting.
• Make all turns slowly.
TO TRANSPORT
When pushing or towing your tractor, be
sure to disengage transmission by placing
freewheel control in freewheeling position.
Freewheel control is located at the rear
drawbar of tractor.
1. Raise attachment lift lever to its high-
est position.
13
2. Pull freewheel control out and into
the slot and release so it is held in the
disengaged position.
• Do not push or tow tractor at more than
two (2) MPH.
• To re-engage transmission, reverse
above procedure.
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.).
TRANSMISSION ENGAGED
TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED
TOWING CARTS AND OTHER
ATTACHMENTS
Tow only the attachments that are recom-
mended by and comply with specifications
of the manufacturer of your tractor. Use
common sense when towing. Too heavy of
a load, while on a slope, is dangerous. Tires
can lose traction with the ground and cause
you to lose control of your tractor.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL
The engine in your tractor has been shipped,
from the factory, already filled with summer
weight oil.
1. Check engine oil with tractor on level
ground.
2. Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe
clean, reinsert the dipstick and screw cap
tight, wait for a few seconds, remove and
read oil level. If necessary, add oil until
"FULE' mark on dipstick is reached. Do
not overfill.
• For cold weather operation you should
change oil for easier starting (See the oil
viscosity chart in the Maintenance section
of this manual).
• To change engineoil, seethe Maintenance
section in this manual.