Craftsman 987.889000 - Manual (Page 19)

OPERATION
STARTING AND STOPPING THE ENGINE
DANGER
Do not operate engine In an enclosed area. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide, a deadly gas that is odorless, colorless and tasteless.
Always run engine outdoors and make sure there is adequate
ventilation.
C-Gear Select Lever
WARNING
To avoid injury:
• Keep hands and feet clear
of mower blades or other ro­
tating parts.
• Look behind you to be sure
there are no obstacles before
pulling recoil starter rope.
To Start the Engine
1. Move mower to a level area.
2. Release all controls on mower
to prevent wheels or mower blades
from rotating when engine starts.
3. Move Engine Throttle Control
(E, Figure 3-13) fully upward to
choke setting to start a cold engine
or to fast (rabbit) setting to start a
warm engine.
4. To start engine using recoil
starter. -
A. Stand on left side (as viewed
from behind handlebars) of ma­
chine. Be sure your feet are
safely away from the underside
of the mower deck and all mow­
er controls are released. Place
one foot on top of tire.
B. Grasp rope handle (G, Figure
3-13) and pull slowly until rope
pulls slightly harder. Let rope
rewind slowly. Then pull rope
with a rapid, full arm stroke. Let
rope return slowly. If engine fails
to start after three pulls, repeat
instructions starting with Step 2
(try setting throttle at fast -
setting).
C. When engine starts, operate in
fast throttle setting (move throt­
tle from choke setting to fast
setting).
To Stop the Engine
1. Release all mower controls to
stop wheels or mower blade.
2. Move throttle control down to
slow (turtle) position. (Whenever
possible, gradually reduce engine
speed before stopping engine.)
3. Move Throttle Control all the
way down to stop position.
Figure 3-14: Engine recoii starter.
ENGAGING THE RLADES
DANGER
To avoid injury from rotating
biades, keep face, hands and
feet ciear of mower biades at
ali times.
To Engage the Blades
1. Start engine as described in “To
Start the Engine” instructions. Put
engine throttle in fast speed
setting.
2. Press and hold Operator Pres­
ence Control (A, Figure 3-13)
against handlebar grip.
3. Slowly push Blade Drive Control
(B, Figure 3-13) fully fon/vard until it
stays in the engaged position. The
blades are now rotating.
To Stop the Blades
To stop the blades, release the
Operator Presence Control.
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