Craftsman 917.257360 - Manual (Page 12)

OPERATION
TO OPERATE MOWER (See Fig. 8)
Your unit is equipped with an operator presence sensing
switch Any attempt by the oper ator to leave the seat with
the engine running and the attachment clutch engaged will
shut off the engine.
• Select desired height of cut
• Engage mower by slowly moving attachment clutch
lever to "ENGAGED" position,
• TO STOP MOWER - Move attachment clutch lever to
"DISENGAGED" position. ____________
CAUTION: Do not operate the mower
without either the entire grass catcher,
on mowers so equipped, or the dis­
charge guard in place. _____________
attachment clutch lever
"DISENGAGED" POSITION
"ENGAGED" POSITION
^„I^,^^H me NT
LIFT LEVER
HIGH POSITION
LOW
POSITION
FIG. 8
TO OPERATE ON HILLS
A
CAUTION: Do not drive up or down
hiils with slopes greater than 15° and
do not drive across any slope.
Choose the slowest speed before starling 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 position and engage parking
brake,
Move motion control lever to "NEUTRAL" position
IMPORTANT: THE MOTION CONTROL LEVER DOES
NOT RETURN TO "NEUTRAL" POSH
TÎON WHEN THE CLUTCH/BRAKE
PEDAL iS DEPRESSED,
• To restart movement, slowly release parking brake and
ciutch/brake pedal.
• Slowly move motion control lever to slowest setting.
• Make ail turns slowly.
TO TRANSPORT
• Raise attachment lift control to highest position,
• When pushing or towing your unit, be sure motion
control lever is in "NEUTRAL" position.
• Pul! freewheel control knob up to disengage transmis­
sion {See Fig, 6).
• Do not push or tow unit at more than five {5} MPH.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig. 16)
. jhe engine in your unit has been shipped, from the
factory, already filled with summer weight oil.
• Check engine oil with unit on level ground.
• Remove oil fill dipstick and wipe clean, replace and
screw cap tight, wail for a few seconds, remove and
read oil level. If necessary, 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
Maintenance section of this manual).
• To change engine oil, see the Maintenance section in
this manual,
ADD GASOLINE (See Fig. 16)
• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gaso­
line. (Use of leaded gasoline will increase carbon and
lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life),
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERA­
TURES BELOW32“F (0°C), USE FRESH,
CLEAN WINTER GRADE GASOLI NE TO
HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER
STARTING.
WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol blended
fuels (called gasohol or 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
problems, the fuel system should be emptied before stor­
age of 30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the
engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are
empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage Iristruc-
tions for additional information. Never use engine or
carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank
filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any
spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or
use gasoline near an open fiame.
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