Craftsman 917.256544 - Manual (Page 14)

OPERATION
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 9)
When starting the engine for the first time or if the engine
has run out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move
fuel from the tank to the engine.
• Depress clutch/brake pedal and set parking brake.
• Place gear shift lever in neutral (N) position.
® Move attachment clutch to “DISENGAGED” position.
• Move throttle control to choke (|\1) position.
Note: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting
procedures below. ,
• Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to “ST ART’
position and release key as soon as engine starts. Do
not run starter continuously for more than fifteen sec­
onds per minute. If the engine does not start after
several attempts, move throttle 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)
• When engine starts, move the throttle control to the fast
{<%) position.
• The attachments and ground drive can now be used. If
the engine does not accept the load, restart the engine
and allow it to warm up for one minute using the choke
as described above.
COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50° F and below)
• When engine starts, allow engine to runwith the throttle
control in the choke (|\j) position until the engine runs
roughly, then move throttle control to fast (■%») position.
This may require an engine warm-up period from
several seconds to several minutes, depending on the
temperature.
• The attachments can also be used during 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
• Tire chains cannot be used when the mower housing is
attached to tractor.
• 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 discharged onto the area
that has been cut. Have the cut area to the right of the
machine. This will result in a more even distribution 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
finished (See Fig. 11 ).
• If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to
reduce load and possible fire hazard from dried clip­
pings. Make first 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 throttle when mowing to
assure better mowing performance and proper dis­
charge of material. Regulate ground speed by select­
ing a low enough gear to give the mower cutting
performance as well as the quality of cut desired.
When operating attachments, select a ground speed
that will suit the terrain and give best performance of
the attachment being used.
MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP
MOWER HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND
TRASH. CLEAN AFTER EACH USE.
■ The special mulching blade will recut the grass clip­
pings many times and reduce them in size so that as
they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass
and not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass will
biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn.
Always mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed
as this will provide the best recutting action of the
blades.
• Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet. Wet grass tends
to form clumps and interferes with the mulching action.
The best time to mow your lawn is the early afternoon.
At this time the grass has dried and the newly cut area
will not be exposed to the direct sun.
• For best results, adjust the mower cutting height so that
the mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass
blades (See Fig, 12). For extremely heavy mulching,
reduce your width of cut and mow slowly.
» Certain types of grass and grass conditions may re­
quire that an area be mulched a second time to cdm-
pletely hide the clippings. When doing a second cut,
mow across or perpendicular to the first cut path.
• Change your cutting pattern from week to week. Mow
north to south one week then change to east to west the
next week. This will help prevent matting and graining
of the lawn.
14
FIG. 12