Craftsman 917.27581 Owner's Manual page 16

5. Insert key into ignition and turn key
clockwise to start position and release
key as soon as engine starts. Do
not run starter continuously for more
than fi fteen sec onds per minute. If the
engine does not start after several
attempts, move throt tle 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 and
above)
6. When engine starts, move the throt tle
control to the fast position.
• The attachments and ground drive can
now be used. If the engine does not
accept the load, restart the en gine and
allow it to warm up for one minute using
the choke as de scribed above.
COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50° F and
below)
6. When engine starts, leave throttle
control in choke position until engine
warms up and begins to run roughly.
Once rough running begins, im me -
di ate ly move the throttle control to the
fast position. Engine warm-up may
take from several seconds to several
minutes (the colder the tem per a ture,
the longer the warm-up).
• The attachments can also be used dur-
ing the engine warm-up period.
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 Adjustments section of this
manual).
MOWING TIPS
• Mower should be properly leveled for
best 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 trim ming.
• Drive so that clippings are dis charged
onto the area that has already been
cut. Have the cut area to the right of
the tractor. This will result in a more
even dis tri bu tion of clippings and more
uniform cutting.
• When mowing large areas, start by
turning 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 fi nished.
• If grass is extremely tall, it should be
mowed twice to reduce load and pos-
sible fi re hazard from dried clip pings.
Make fi rst cut relatively high; the second
to the desired height.
• Do 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 throt tle
when mowing to assure better mowing
performance and prop er dis charge of
material. Reg u late ground speed by
se lect ing a low enough gear to give the
mower cut ting per for mance as well as
the quality of cut desired.
• When operating attachments, se lect a
ground speed that will suit the terrain
and give best performance of the at-
tach ment being used.
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