Craftsman 917.270711 owner manual Position, Before Starting the Engine

•The average lawn should be cut to

approximately 2-t/2 inches dudng the cooLseason and to over3 inches during

hot_nonths. For healthier andbetter looking lawns, mow often and after moderate growth.

•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 equipped with an operator pres_ce-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.

•Lowe_-r_o_-w_'li attachment lift con- trol.

•Start mower blades by engaging attach- ment clutch control.

•TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disen-

•gage attachment clutch control.

Attachment Clutch		Attachment Lift Lever
Lever "Fngaged___		High Position
Position	_'(
=Disengag_____Low		.

ACAuTION: Do not operate the mower

without either the entire grass catcher, on wnowers.so equipped, or:the discharge

guard in place.

TO OPERATE ON HILLS:

_kCAUTION: 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 isprovided for

your use. : "

•Choose:the slowest speed before start- ing up or down hills. "

•••Avoidstopping or changing speed on

i_"hillS,. ...i • " _.":..: .... " _

_ve_loslower	position.:
" n isa ut	necessary,

•Move gearshift lever to 1st gear. Be sure you have allowed room for tractor to roll slightly as you: restart movemenL

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

•Make all tums slowly.

TO TRANSPORT

•Raise attachment lift to highest position with attachment lift control.

•When pushing or towing your tractor, be sure gearshift lever is in neutial (N)

position.

•Do not push or tow tractor at more than

five (5) MPH..'.

NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transporting your tractor 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, already filled 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, dean, 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 coM weather starling; _

j_usl_clutch/Drake pedal quickly to brake

position and engage parking broke. 15