Craftsman 917.271110 - Manual (Page 15)

• The average lawn should be cut to
approximately 2-1/2 inches during the
cool season and to over 3 inches during
hot months. For healthier and better
looking lawns, mow often and after
moderate growth.
• For best cutting performance, grass
over 6 inches in height should be
mowed twice. Make the first cut rela-
■ lively 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.
• Select desired height of cut.
• Lower mower with attachment lift con­
trol.
• Start mower blades by engaging attach­
ment clutch control.
• to Stop mower blades - disengage
attachment clutch control.
ilkCAUTION: Do not operate the mower
without either the entire grass catcher, on
mowers so equipped, or the discharge
guard in place.
Attachment Clutch
Lever“Engaged”
Attachment Lift
Lever High Position
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 start­
ing up or down hills.
• Avoid stopping or changing speed on
hills.
• If slowing is necessary, move throttle
control lever to slower position.
• If stopping is absolutely necessary, push
clutch/brake pedal quickly to brake posi-
tion'an&engagé parking brake.
• Move gearshift leverto 1st gear. 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 to highest position
with attachment lift control.
• 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.).
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 o1
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.
• Check engine oil with tractor on level
ground.
• Unthread and remove oil fill cap/dip-
stick; wipe oil off. Reinsert the dipstick
into the tube and rest oil fill cap on the
tube. Do not thread the cap onto the
tube. Remove-and read oil level. If nec­
essary, 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
Responsibilities section in this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87
octane. (Use of leaded gasoline will
increase carbon and lead oxide
deposits and reduce valve life). Do not