Craftsman 917.270512 owner manual Before Starting the Engine, ADD Gasoline

•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 f_,quipped 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-

age attachment clutch-control. AUTION: 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		Low
Attachment	,:'_	Position
Clutch Lever
=Engaged"
Position
=Disengaged"
Position	_--_	ge

O 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 slowingis 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 gearshiftlever is in neutral (N_ position .....

•Do not push or tow tractor at more than five (5) MPH.

NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transportingyourtractor 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, alreadyfilled 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 necessary,

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 CHART" 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 ,_dAweather starting.

RNING: 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 er longer.

Drain the gas tank, start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor

are empty. Use fresh fuel next season.