Craftsman 917.27623 owner manual To Start Engine, Mowing Tips

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.Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake pedal and set parking brake.

2.Place gear shift lever in neutral (N) position.

3.Move attachment clutch to disengaged position.

4.Move throttle control to fast position

5.Pull choke control out for a cold engine start attempt. For a warm engine start

attempt the choke control may not be needed.

NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting procedures below.

6.Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to start position and release key as soon as engine starts. Do

not run starter continuously for more than fifteen seconds per minute. If the engine does not start after several attempts, push choke control in, wait a few minutes and try again. If engine

still does not start, pull the choke con- trol out and retry.

WARM WEATHER STARTING (50 ° F and above)

7.When engine starts, slowly push choke control in until the engine begins to run smoothly. If the engine starts to run roughly, pull the choke control out slightly for a few seconds and then continue to push the control in slowly.

•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)

7.When engine starts, slowly push choke control in until the engine begins to run smoothly. Continue to push the choke control in small steps allowing the en- gine to accept small changes in speed and load, until the choke control is fully in. If the engine starts to run roughly,

pull the choke control out slightly for a few seconds and then continue to

push the control in slowly. This may re- quire an engine warm-up period from several seconds to several minutes, depending on the temperature.

•The attachments can be used during the engine warm-up period and may require the choke control be pulled out slightly.

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 trimming.

•Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area that has already been

cut. Have the cut area to the right of the tractor. 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.

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•If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to reduce load and pos- sible fire hazard from dried clippings.

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 undesir- able clumps. Allow grass to dry before mowing.

•Always operate engine at full throttle when mowing to assure better mow- ing performance and proper discharge of material. Regulate ground speed by selecting 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 at-

17 tachment being used.