Craftsman 917.253724 - Manual (Page 3)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION....................BELOW MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS.......................... .6
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS .............................. ,2 TROUBLE SHOOTING . . . . ................................ .13
OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS ,4 REPAIR PARTS. ... ............................................. .15
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION
1. Know the controls and how to stop quickly. READ THE
owner ' s MANUAL
2. Do not allow children to operate the vehicle. Do not allow
adults to operate it without proper instruction or with,
out having read the owners manual.
3. Do not carry passengers, Keep children and pets a safe dis­
tance away. _
4. Always wear substantial footwear. Do not wear loose fitting
clothing that could get caught in moving parts.
5. Keep your eyes and mind on yotir tractor, mower and the
area being cut. Don t let other interests distract you.
6. Oo not attempt to operate your tractor or mower when
not in the drivers seat,
7. Always get on or off your tractor from the operators left
hand side.
8. Clear the work area of objects which might be picked up
and thrown.
9. Disengage all attachment clutches and return speed control
lever to neutral before attempting to start the engine,
10, Disengage power to attphments and stop the engine be­
fore leaving the operator s position«
11, Disengage power to mower, stop the engine and disconnect
spark plug wire(s! from spark ptug{s) before cleaning, mak­
ing an adjustment or repairs,
12, Disengage power to attachments when transporting or not
In use,
13, Take all possible precautions when leaving the vehicle un­
attended, such as disengaging the power-take-off, lowering
ths attachments, returning drive control lever to neutral,
shifting into neutral, setting the parking brake, stopping
the engine and removing the key
14- Do not stop or start suddenly when going uphill or down-
hii|. Mow up and down the face of slopes }not greater than
15 I; never across the face.
15- Reduce speed on slopes and make turns gradually to pre­
vent tipping or loss of control. Exercise extreme caution
when changing direction on slopes,
_
16. White going Up or down slopes choose 1st gear to negotiate
the slope without stopping To reduce speed, move Vari-
drive Control Lever rearward to slower position.
17. Never mow in wet or slippery grass, when traction is urr-
sure or at a speed which could cause a skid,
18. Stay alert for holes in the terrain and other hidden hazards.
19. Do not drive too close to creeks, ditches and public high*
ways.
20- Exercise special care when mowing around fixed objects
in order to prevent the blades from striking them. Never
deliberately run tractor or mower into or over any foreign
object.
21, Never shift gears until tractor comes to a stop.,
22.
Never place hands or feet under the mower, in discharge
chute or near any moving parts while tractor or mower are
running. Always keep clear of discharge chute.
23. Use care when pulling loads or using heavy equipment
a. Use only approved drawbar hitch points,
b. Limit loads to those you can safely control.
c. Do not turn sharply. Use care when backing.,
d. Use counterweight or wheel weights when suggested in
the owner s manual,
24. Watch out for traffic when crossing or near roadways.
25.
When using any attachments, never direct discharge of
material toward bystanders nor allow anyone near the ve­
hicle while in operation.
26. Handle gasoline with care - it is highly flammable.
a. Use approved gasoline containers.
b. Never remove the cap of the fuel tank or add gasoline to
a running or hot engine, or fill the fuel tank indoors.
Wipe up spilled gasoitne.
c. Open doors if the engine is run in the garage - exhaust
fumes are dangerous. Do not run the engine indoors,
27. Keep the vehicle and attachments in good operating con«
dition, and keep safety devices in place«
28. Keep ail nuts, bolts and screws tight to be sure the equip­
ment is in safe working condition,
29. Never store the equipment with gasoline in the tank inside
a building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark.
Allow the engine to coo! before storing 1n any enclosure,
30. To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine free of grass, leaves
or excessive grease- Do not clean product while engine is
running.
31. Except for adjustment; OO NOT operate Engine If air
cleaner or cover directly over carburetor air intake is re­
moved. Hemoval of such part could create a fire hazard.
32. DO NOT OPERATE WITHOUT A MUFFLER OR TAM­
PER WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, Damaged mufflers
or spark arresters could create a fire hazard. Inspect period­
ically and replace if necessary,
33. The vehicle and attachments should be stopped and in­
spected for damage after striking a foreign object, and the
damage should be repaired before restarting and operating
the equipment
34 Do not change the engine governor settings or overspeed
ths engine; severe damage or injury may result
35. When using the vehicle with mower, proceed as follows;
a. Mow only In daylight or in good artificial light.
b. Never make a cutting height adjustment while the engine
is running if the operator must dismount to do so.
c. Shut the engine off when removing the grass catcher or
unciogfingchute.
d. Check the biade mounting bolts for proper tightness at
frequent intervals.
36 . Check the grass catcher bags frequently for wear or deterio­
ration, Replace with new bags for safety protection.
37. Do not operate the mower without the entire grass catcher,
on mowers so equipped, or ths deflector shield in place,
38 Disengage power to mower before backing up Do not mow
in reverse unless absolutely necessary and then only after
careful observation of the entire area behind the mower.
A LOOK FOR THIS SYMBOL TO POINT OUT IMPORTANT
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. iT MEANS - ATTENTION!
BECOME ALERT! YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED.
WARNING
This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush-
covered or grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state
laws (if any) , if a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective worldng order by the operator
In the State of California the above ts required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may
have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. See your Authorized Service Center for spark arrester muffler part number
674A380.
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