Sears 917.259567 owner manual To Start Engine See Fig, Mulching Mowing Tips

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TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 8)

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.

o Sit on seat in operating position, 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 fast position

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.

Insert key into ignition and turn keyc!ockwise to"START" 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, push choke control in, wait a few minutes and try again. Ifengine still does not start, pull the choke control out and retry.

WARM WEATHER STARTING (50° F and above)

in the opposite direction making left hand turns until finished (See Fig. 10 ).

,tf 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.

=When engine starts, slowly push choke control in until the engine begins to run smoothly. Ifthe 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)

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 engine 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 require an engine warm-up period from several seconds to several minutes, depending on the temperature.

,The attachments can be used du ring 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 can not be used when the mower housing is attached to tractor.

oMower 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 tractor. This will result in a more even distribution of

FIG. 10

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.

oFor best results, adjust the mower cutting height so that the mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass blades (See Fig. 11). 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 com- 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.

MAX 1/3

!fib !

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 14

Ill

FIG. 11

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Contents Ii....i Safe Operation Practices for Ride=On Mowers III ChildrenLimited TWO Year Warranty on Craftsman Riding Equipment Maintenance AgreementProduct Specifications Customer ResponsibilitiesIndex Engine Maintenance PerformanceContents To Remove Tractor from Carton AssemblyTools Required for Assembly Before Rolling Tractor OFF SkidCheck Deck Levelness HOW to SET UP Your TractorAsse LY Check for Proper Position of ALLTo Convert to Bagging or ChecklistINSTALL Mulcher Plate See Figs DischargingChoke Mower Height Differential Parking Brake Lights on Over TempLight Operatic Know Your TractorOperation HOW to USE Your TractorTo Adjust Mower Cutting Height To USE Throttle Control See FigTo Transport Before Starting the EngineTo Operate Mower See Fig Check Engine OIL Level See FigMulching Mowing Tips Mowing TipsTo Start Engine See Fig Customer Maintenance ScheduleLubrication Chart General RecommendationsBrake Operation Customer ResponsibilitiesTractor Tires=BELTS BatteryStomer Respon Bilities Transaxle CoolingAIR Filter See Fig Clean AIR Screen See FigIlities Engine Cooling Fins See FigSpark Plugs CleaningCER Respo Ibilitie IN-LINE Fuel Filter See FigTractor Service and AdjustmentsTo iNSTALL Mower See Fig To Remove Mower See FigService AN Adjustments To Level Mower HousingBlade Ervice and AdjustmentsReplace Mower Drive BeltTo Adjust Steering Wheel Alignment ServiceTo Start Engine with a Weak Battery ADJ StmentsTo Replace Headlight Bulb AdjustmentsEngine Interlocks and RelaysFinal Setting To Adjust Carburetor See FigsPreliminary Setting ErviceFuel System BatteryOther Engine OILTroubleshooting Points Problem Cause CorrectionProblem Cause TRO Leshooting PointsSchematic Electrical KEY Part Tractor =- Model Number £17.259567Electrical Chassis and Enclosures KEY Part Tractor = Model NumberChassis and Enclosures NO. NO. DESCRMPT!ONTractor - Model Number DrivePart KEY DriveKEY DescriptionSteering Assembly Part Description LR.LTSeat Assembly KEY Part DescriptionDecals Wheels & TiresEngine KEY Part NO, NO. Description Tractor - Model Number 917,259567Engine Mower LiFT Mower Lift NO. noMower Deck KEY Part Description Tractor - Model NumberMower Deck UNCDana Transaxle = Model Nuiviber 4360=122 Dana Transaxle = Model Number 43S0-122 Descruption284A445 525 Tractor = = Model Number534 284468 205634 Gasket SET Pump Repair311 801802 201305 Tractor - Model NumberLabel KIT 304 308AKEY Part NO. no 497074 399265 391086 493304 493457 271867 495754Keypart NO. no Description Service Otes SiGHTiNG GuideIf YOU Need Repair ServiceERS Manual Or Parts