Craftsman 917.270512 - Manual (Page 14)

• For best cutting performance, grass
over 6 inches in height should be
mowed twice. Make the first cut rela­
tively high; the second to desired
height.
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.
• Select desired height of cut.
• Start mower blades by engaging attach­
ment clutch control.
• TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disen­
gage attachment clutch-control.
JI l CAUTION: Do not operate the mower
without either the entire grass catcher, on
mowers so equipped, or the discharge
guard in place.
Attachment
Lift Lever —
High Position
Attachment
Ciutch Lever
“Engaged"
Position
“Disengaged”
Position
Low
Position
Discharge
Guard
TO OPERATE ON HILLS ^
^CAUTION: Do not drive up or down
hills with slopes greater than 15° and do
not drive across any slope. A slope guide
at the back of your manual is provided for
your use.
• Choose the slowest speed before start­
ing 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 gearshift lever to 1st gear. Be
^ sure you have allowed room for tractor
to roll slightly as you restart movement.
• To restart movement, slowly release
parking brake and clutch/brake pedal.
• Make all turns slowly.
TO TRANSPORT
• Raise attachment lift to highest position
with attachment lift control.
• When pushing or towing your tractor, be
sure gearshift lever is in neutral (N)
position.
,
• Do not push or tow tractor at more than
five (5) MPH.
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.).
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE.OIL LEVEL
• The engine in your tractor has been
shipped, from the factory, already ifiiled
with summer weight oil.
• Check engine oil with tractor on level
ground.
• Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe
clean, reinsert the dipstick and screw
cap tight, wait for a few seconds,
remove and read oil level, if necesseuy,
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 CHARr in the Mainten­
ance section of this manual).
• To change engine oil, see the Mainten­
ance section in this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank. 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
quantities that can be used within 30
days to assure fuel freshness.
IMPORTANT: When operating in tempera­
tures below 32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean
winter grade gasoline 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 emp­
tied before storage of 30 days or looger.
Drain the gas tank, start the engine and
let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor
are empty. Use fresh fuel next season.