Sears 917.257651 Before Starting the Engine, To Operate Mower See Fig, To Operate On Hills, 113

OPERATION

TO OPERATE MOWER (See Fig. 10)

Your tractor is equipped 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

-Lower mower with attachment lift controt.

•Start mower blades by engaging attachment clutch control

•TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disengage attachment clutch control.

CAUTION: Do not operate the mower !

without either the entire grass catcher, I

on mowers so equipped, or the dis- I

charge guard in place:		i
"ENGAGED" POSITION	ATTACHMENT
	LIFT LEVER	HIGH

ATTACHMENT
"DISENGAGED"
POSITION	LEVER		(/'_
CLUTCH
			DISCHARGE
			GUARD
			FIG. 10
TO OPERATE		ON HILLS
I	hills with slopes greater than 15° and
	CAUTION:		Do not drive up or down
	do not drive across any slope.

,Choose the slowest speed before starting up or down hills.

•Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills

•tf slowing is 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, siowly release parking brake and clutch/brake pedal

•Make all turns slowly

,i , , , i

TO TRANSPORT

. Raise attachment lift to highest position with attach- ment lift control.

oWhen pushing or towing your tractor, be sure gearshift lever is in neutral (N) position,

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

NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transporting your tractoron 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 (See Fig. 17)

-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

•Unthread and remove oil fill cap!dipstick; wipe oil off, Reinsert the dipstick into the tube and rest oil fill cap on the tube. Do not thread the cap onto the tube. Remove and read oil level. If necessary, add oil untit "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 Customer Responsibilities section of this manuat).

oTo change engine oil, see the Customer Responsibili- ties section in this manual

ADD GASOLINE

=Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded

gasoline. (Use of leaded gasoline will increase carbon and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life)

IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES

BELOW 32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER

STARTING

WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol blended fuels (called gasoho! 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 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°

113