Starting The Engine; Safety Interlock System - Craftsman 247.204460 Manual Del Operador

• Before leaving the operator's seat: Shut off the PTO, move the RH and LH
drive control levers fully outward in the neutral position, engage the parking
brake , shut off the engine and remove the ignition key. Wait for all
movement to stop before servicing or cleaning.
• Operate the drive control levers smoothly and avoid any sudden movements
of the levers when starting and stopping. Keep a firm grip on the control
levers.
• Be careful when operating near roadways. Stop the riding mower motion
and wait for vehicles to pass before operating along the road.
• Do not operate the riding mower with the mower deck removed. Removal of
the deck will change the balance of the riding mower, and could contribute
to a riding mower rollover.
• Avoid operation on traction surfaces that are unstable; use extreme caution
if the surface is slippery.
• Slow down before turning and come to a complete stop before any zero turn
maneuver.
• Do not stop the riding mower or park the riding mower over combustible
materials such as dry grass, leaves, debris, etc.
• Do not fill the fuel tank when the engine is running or while the engine is
hot. Allow the engine several minutes to cool before refueling. Tighten the
fuel cap securely.
Before Operating Your Riding mower
• Before you operate the riding mower, study this manual carefully to familiarize
yourself with the operation of all the instruments and controls. It has been
prepared to help you operate and maintain your riding mower efficiently.
• This engine is certified to operate only on clean, fresh, unleaded regular
gasoline. For best results, fill the fuel tank with only clean, fresh, unleaded
gasoline with a pump sticker octane rating of 87 or higher.
• Unleaded gasoline is recommended because it leaves less combustion chamber
deposits and reduces harmful exhaust emissions. Leaded gasoline is not
recommended and must not be used where exhaust emissions are regulated.
NOTE: Purchase gasoline in small quantities. Do not use gasoline left over
from the previous season, to minimize gum deposits in the fuel system.
• Gasohol (up to 10% ethyl alcohol, 90% unleaded gasoline by volume) is an
approved fuel. Other gasoline/alcohol blends are not approved.
• Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) and unleaded gasoline blends (up to a
maximum of 15% MTBE by volume) are approved fuels. Other gasoline/ether
blends are not approved.
• Check the engine oil level.
• Clean the air cleaner element if necessary.
• Check the tire inflation pressures.
• Adjust the seat for operator's maximum comfort, visibility and for
maintaining complete control of the riding mower.

Safety Interlock System

This riding mower is equipped with a safety interlock system for the protection of
the operator. If the interlock system should ever malfunction, do not operate the
riding mower. Call 1-800-659-5917 to schedule service from Sears Parts & Repair.
OPERATION
• The safety interlock system prevents the engine from cranking or starting unless
the RH and LH drive control levers are moved fully outward to each side in the
neutral position, the parking brake is engaged, and the PTO is disengaged.
• To avoid sudden movement when disengaging the parking brake, the safety
interlock system will shut off the engine if the RH and/or LH drive control
levers are moved to a position other than the fully out in the neutral position
when the parking brake is engaged.
• The safety interlock system will shut off the engine if the operator leaves the
seat before engaging the parking brake.
• The safety interlock system will shut off the engine if the operator leaves the seat
with the PTO engaged, regardless of whether the parking brake is engaged.
NOTE: The PTO switch must be moved to the "OFF" position to restart the engine.
• The safety interlock system will shut off the PTO and the mower blades will
stop if both drive control levers are moved into the reverse position. The PTO
will re-engage when one or both of the levers are moved back to either the
neutral or forward position.

Starting the Engine

This riding mower is equipped with a safety interlock system designed for
the protection of the operator. Do not operate the riding mower if any part
of the interlock system is malfunctioning. Periodically check the functions
of the interlock system for proper operation.
For personal safety, the operator must be sitting in the riding mower seat
when starting the engine.
1. Operator must be sitting in the tractor seat with the control levers fully
outward in neutral (parking brake on).
2. Make certain the PTO switch is in the disengaged (down) position. Refer to
Figure 11.
LH Control Lever
Out in Neutral
14
WARNING
WARNING
RH Control Lever Out in
Neutral
Throttle/Choke Control
to the Choke Position
PTO Switch in Down
(Disengaged) Position
Ignition Switch
Figure 11