Craftsman 247.28919 manual Starting the Engine, Stopping the Engine

STARTING THE ENGINE

Do notoperatethe tractorifthe interlocksystemis malfunctioning. Thissystemwasdesignedfor your safetyandprotection.

NOTE: Referto the Gasolineand Oilfill-upinstructionsearlierinthis section.

1.Insertthe tractorkeyintothe ignitionswitch.

2.Placethe PTO(BladeEngage)leverinthe disengaged(OFF) position.

3.Engagethe tractor'sparkingbrake.

4.Activatethe chokecontrolby movingthe throttle/chokeleverall thewayup intothe chokeposition.

5.Turnthe ignitionkeyclockwiseto the STARTposition.Afterthe enginestarts,releasethe key.It will returnto the ON (orNormal Mowing)position.

DO NOTholdthe key in the STARTpositionfor longerthanten

secondsat a time.Doingso maycausedamageto yourengine's electricstarter.

6.Afterthe enginestarts,deactivatethe chokecontroland placethe throttlecontrolinthe FASTposition.

NOTE: Do NOTleavethechokecontrolonwhileoperatingthe tractor. Doingso will resultina "rich" fuel mixtureandcausethe engineto run poorly.

STOPPING THE ENGINE

If youstrikea foreignobject,stopthe engine,disconnectthe spark plugwire(s)andgroundagainstthe engine.Thoroughlyinspectthe machinefor anydamage.Repairthe damagebeforerestartingand operating

1.Ifthe bladesareengaged,placethe PTO(BladeEngage)leverin thedisengaged(OFF)position.

2.Turnthe ignitionkeycounterclockwiseto the STOPposition.

3.Removethe keyfromthe ignitionswitchto preventunintended starting.

DRiViNG THE TRACTOR

Avoidsuddenstarts,excessivespeedand suddenstops.

Donot leavethe seatof the tractorwithoutfirst placingthe PTO (BladeEngage)leverin the disengaged(OFF)position,depressing the brakepedalandengagingthe parkingbrake.If leavingthe tractor unattended,also turnthe ignitionkeyoff andremovethe key.

Alwayslook downandbehindbeforeandwhile backingupto avoida back-overaccident.

1.Depressthe clutch-brakepedalto releasethe parkingbrakeand then letthe pedalup.

2.Movethethrottleleverintothe FAST(rabbit)position.

3.Placethe shift leverineitherthe FORWARDor REVERSE position.

IMPORTANT: Do NOTuse the shiftleverto changethedirectionof travelwhenthe tractoris in motion.Alwaysusethe clutch-brakepedal to bringthe tractortoa completestopbeforeshifting.

4.Graduallybeginto applypressureto the drivepedal.Thefurther downthe pedalis pushed,thefasterthe tractorwilltravelinthe desireddirectionbasedon the positionof the shift lever.

5.The lawntractoris broughtto a stopby releasingthedrive pedal andthen depressingthe brakepedal.

WARNING!Beforeleavingthe operator'spositionforany reason, disengagethe blades,placethe shiftleverin neutral,engagethe parkingbrake,shutengineoff and removethe key.

WHEN stoppingthe tractorforany reasonwhileon a grasssurface, always:

1.Placethe shift leverinneutral,

2.Engagethe parkingbrake,

3.Shutengineoffand removethe key.Doingso will minimizethe possibilityof havingyour lawn"browned"byhot exhaustfrom yourtractor'srunningengine.

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