Craftsman 917.258692 manual To Transport See Fig, Before Starting the Engine, ADD Gasoline

OPERATION

GAUGE WHEEL

MOUNTING

BBACKE'T_

3t8-16

3/8 WASHER

SHOULDER

GAUGEWF_"_'BOLT

FIG, g

TO OPERATE MOWER (See Fig. 10)

',(ourtractor is equipped with an operator presence sensing switch Any attempt by the operator to leave the seat wilh the engine running and the attachment clutch engaged will shut off the engine

•Selecl desired height of cut.

•Lower mower with attachment itft control.

•Start mower blades by engaging attachment clutch control.

•TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disengage atlachment

clutch control.

ii, H,,, IIIIMI

without either the entire grass catcher,

on mowers so equipped, or the dis-

t&AUTION: Do not operate the mower charge guard in place,

iii

FIG. 10

TO TRANSPORT (See Fig. 11)

When pushing or towing your tractor, be sure todisengage transmission by placing freewheel control _nfreewheeling position. Free wheel control is located al the rear drawbar of tractor.

•Raise attachment lift to highest posllion with attach- ment tilt control-

. Pull freewheel control knob out and hold in position by inserting retainersprlng into forward hole of control rod

. Do not push or tow tractor at more than two (2) MPH

•To reengage transmission, reverse above procedure. NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transpodlng your traclcron a truck or a traite r, be sure hood is closed and secured totraclor Use an appropriate means of tying hood to tractor (rope, cord, etc).

FiG. 11

BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE

CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig. 18)

•The englneinyour tractor has been shipped, fromthe factory, already filled with summer weight oil

•Check engine otl with tractor on level ground.

•Remove oit tilt cap/dipstick and wipe clean reinsed the

dipstick and push II all the way down into the tube, wait for a few seconds, remove and read oil ievei if

necessary, add oil until "FULL" mark on dipstick is reached Do notoverfHl.

•For cold weather operation you should change oll for easier starting (See "OIL VISCOSITY CHART" In the Customer Responsibilities section of this manuat).

•To change engine oil see the Customer ReeponsibLli- ties section in this manual

TO OPERATE ON HILLS					ADD GASOLINE
					• Fill fuel	tank Use fresh clean regular unleaded
i ,mHi ,Ul	i	H		•
					gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane {Use of leaded
with slopes	greater lhan 15 ° and		do not		gasoline wilt increase carbon and fead oxide deposits
OA T,OOonotd.:		.vo pe.downhiiI Purchase.s				fuel in quantities that can be used within 30
drive across any slope.					and reduce valve life). Do not mix oil with gasoline.

•Choose the slowest speed before starting up or down hills,

•Avoid stopping or changing speed on hil{s

•If slowing {s necessary', move throttte control lever to slower position.

•rf stopp ng s absolufeiy necessary push clutch/brake pedal quickly to brake position and engage parking brake.

•Move motion control lever lo neutral (N) position,

IMPORTANT: THE MOTION CONTROL LEVER DOES NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL (N) POSITION WHEN THE CLUTOHIBRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED

•To restart movement, slowly release parking brake and clutch/brake pedal

•Slowly move motion control tever lo slowest setting

•Make all turns sIowlv.

days lo assure fuel freshness

IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES

BELOW 32"F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE GASOLINE TO HELP _NSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER

STARTING

WARNING; Experience indicales that alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which Ieads to separation and formation o_ 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 stor- age of 30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the engine and let it run until the fuet lines and carburetor are empty, Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage Instruc-

tions for additional Information. Never use engine or

carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent

14 damana may occur.