Craftsman 917.27103 Lawn Mower User Manual


 
quantities that can be used within 30
days to assure fuel freshness.
IMPORTANT:When operating in tempera-
tures below 32°F(0°C), usefresh, clean
winter grade gasolineto helpinsure good
cold weather starting.
_WARNING: Experienceindicatesthat
alcohol blended fuels (called gasoholor
using ethanol or methanol)can attract
moisture which leadsto separation and
formation of acids during storage.Acidic
gas can damagethe fuel system of an
engine while in storage°Toavoid engine
problems,the fuel system should be emp-
tied before storage 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 nextseason.
See Storage Instructionsfor additional
information. Never use engineor carbure-
tor cleaner products inthe fuel tank or per-
_nent damage may occur.
CAUTION; Fill to bottomof 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
When starting the engine for the first time
or if the engine has run out of fuel, it will
take extra crankingtime to movefuel from
the tank to the engine.
Sit on seat in operating position,
depress clutch/brake pedaland set
parking brake.
o Place gear shift lever in neutral (N) posi-
tion.
o Move attachmentclutch to "DISEN-
GAGED" position.
o Move throttle control to choke position.
Note: Beforestarting, readthe warm and
cold starting proceduresbelow.
, Insert key into ignition and turn key
clockwise to "START"positionand
release key as soon as enginestarts.
Do not run starter continuouslyfor more
than fifteen seconds per minute,tf the
engine does not start after several
attempts, move throttle controlto fast
position, wait a few minutesand try
again. If engine still does not start,
move the throttle control back to the
choke position and retry°
WARM WEATHERSTARTING(50° F
AND ABOVE)
o
°
When engine starts, move the throttle
control to the fast position.
The attachments and ground drive can
now be used. If the engine does not
accept the load, restart the engine and
allow it to warm up for one minute using
the choke as described above°
COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50 ° F
AND BELOW)
When engine starts, allow engine to run
with the throttle control in the choke
position until the engine runs roughly,
then move throttle control to fast posi-
tion. This may require an engine warm-
up period from several seconds to sev-
eral minutes, depending on the temper-
ature.
° The attachments can also be used dur-
ing the engine warm-.up period.
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 'q'O ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the
Service and Adjustments section of this
manual.
MOWING TIPS
]ire chains cannot be used when the
mower housing is attached to tractor.
Mower should be properly leveled for
best mowing performance. See "TO
LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the
Service and Adjustments section of this
manual.
° The left hand side of mower should be
used for trimming.
° Drive so that clippings are discharged
onto the area that has been cut. Have
the cut area to the right of the tractor.
This will result in a more even distribu-
tion of clippings and more uniform cut-
ting.
o When mowing large areas, start by turn-
ing to the right so that clippings wil! dis-
charge away from shrubs, fences, drive,-
ways, etc. After one or two rounds, mow
in the opposite direction making left
hand turns until finished.
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