Craftsman 917.28746 - Manual (Page 9)

the attachment engaged. Do not mow in
reverse unless absolutely necessary.
USING THE REVERSE OPERATION
SYSTEM -
Only use if you are certain no children or
other bystanders will enter the mowing
area.
1. Depress brake pedal all the way down.
2. With engine running, turn ignition key
counterclockwise to"ROS "ON" posi-
tion.
3. Look down and behind before and
while backing. "
4. Slowly depress reverse drive pedal to
start movement.
5. When use of the ROS is no longer
needed, turn the ignition key clockwise
to engine "ON" position.
TO OPERATE ON HILLS
AWARNING: Do not drive up or down
hills with slopes greater than 15° and do
not drive across any slope. Use the slope
guide provided at the back of this manual.
• Choose the slowest speed
before start-
ing up or down hills.
• Avoid stopping or changing speed on
hills.
• If stopping is absolutely necessary, push
brake pedal quickly to brake position
and engage parking brake.
• To restart movement, slowly release
parking brake and brake pedal.
• Slowly depress appropriate drive pedal
to slowest setting.
Make all turns slowly.
TO TRANSPORT
When pushing or towing your tractor, be
sure to disengage transmission
by placing
freewheel control in freewheeling position.
Freewheel control is located at the rear
drawbar of tractor.
1. Raise attachment lift lever to its highest
position.
2. Pull freewheel control out and into the
slot and release so it is held in the
disengaged
position.
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 the
oil viscosity chart in the Maintenance
section of this manual).
• To change engine oil, see the Mainte-
nance section in this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do
not overfill. 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 mix oil
with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quan-
tities that can be used within 30 days to
assure fuel freshness.
ACAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
near an open flame.
IMPORTANT: When operating in temper-
atures below32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean
winter grade gasoline to help insure good
cold weather starting.
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called
gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can
attract moisture which leads to separa-
tion 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 storage 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 Instructions for
additional information. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur.
TO START ENGINE
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.
1. Be sure freewheel control is in the
transmission engaged position.
2. Sit on seat in operating position,
depress brake pedal and set parking
brake.
3. Move attachment clutch to disengaged
position.
17
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• Do not push or tow tractor at more than
two (2) MPH.
• To re-engage transmission, reverse
above procedure.
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.).
02219
Transmission Disengaged
TOWING CARTSANDOlHERATTACHMENTS
Tow only the attachments that are recom-
mended by and comply with specifications
of the manufacturer
of yourtractor. Use
common sense when towing. Too heavy
of a load, while on a slope, is dangerous.
Tires can lose traction with the ground and
cause you to lose control of your tractor.
SERVICE REMINDER/HOUR METER
Service reminder shows the total number
of hours the engine has run and flashes to
indicate that the engine or mower needs
servicing. When service is required, the
service reminder will flash for two hours.
To service engine and mower, see the
Maintenance section of this manual.
NOTE: Service reminder runs when the
ignition key is in any position but "STOP".
For accurate reading, be sure key remains
in the "STOP" position when engine is not
running.
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.
1. Check engine oil with tractor on level
ground.
2. Unthread and remove oil fill cap/
dipstick; 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
'"'"
Engine "ON" Position
(Normal Operating)
•
~
-~
4'1
ROS "ON" Position
16
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. You must
remain fully and centrally positioned in the
seat to prevent the engine from hesitating
or cutting off when operating your equip-
ment on rough, rolling terrain or hills.
1. Select desired height of cut with at-
tachment lift lever.
2. Start mower blades by engaging at-
tachment clutch control.
TO STOP MOWER BLADES -
disengage attachment clutch control.
ACAUTION: Do not operate the mower
without either the entire grass catcher,
on mowers so equipped, or the deflector
shield (S) in place.
REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM (ROS)
Your tractor is equipped with a Reverse
Operation System (ROS). Any attempt by
the operator to travel in the reverse direc-
tion with the attachment clutch engaged
will shut off the engine unless ignition key
is placed in the ROS "ON" position.
AWARNING: Backing up with the at-
tachment clutch engaged while mowing
is strongly discouraged.
Turning the ROS
"ON", to allow reverse operation with the
attachment
clutch engaged, should only
be done when the operator decides it is
necessary to reposition the machine with