Sears 917.2566 To Start Engine See Fig, Mulching Mowing Tips, TRASH. Clean After Each USE

OPERATION

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 fuel 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 damage may occur.

CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame.

TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 7)

This engine on this product is designed for maximum perfomance and life if operated with the choke (N) fully open and the throttle control in the fast (,_) position. To open the choke fully requires an engine warm-up period of several seconds to several minutes, depending on the temperature.

After starting the engine, first open the choke slowly until the engine just begins to run smoothly. Then open the choke in small steps, allowing the engine to accept small changes in speed and load, until the choke is fully open.

During engine warm-up, the equipment can be operated. When starting engine for the first time or if engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move fuel from the tank to the engine.

•Depress clutch!brake pedal and set parking brake.

•Place gearshift lever in neutral (N) position.

•Move attachment clutch to "DISENGAGED" position.

Move throttle control lever to choke (l\l) position for cold engine start. For warm engine start, move throttle control to fast (,_) position.

•Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to"START" position and release key as soon as engine starts. Do not run starter continuously for more than fifteen seconds per minute. If engine does not start after several attempts, move throttle control to fast (,_) position, wait a few minutes and try again.

•When engine starts, move throttle control to desired position.

•Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before engaging drive or attachments.

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 Adjust- ments section of this manual.

MOWING TIPS

=Tire chains cannot be used when the mower housing is attached to tractor.

Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing performance. See'q'OLEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the Service and Adjustments sectiofi0f thi_ma.-n-u_L....-

=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 machine. This will result in a more even distribution of clippings and more uniform cutting.

•When mowing large areas, start by turning to the right 15

so that clippings will discharge away from shrubs, fences, driveways, etc. After one or two rounds, mow in the opposite direction making left hand turns until finished (See Fig. 10 ).

-If 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.

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.

•For 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

FIG. 11