Driving On Slopes; Engaging The Blades - Craftsman 247.20370 Operator's Manual

Parking the Lawn Tractor
IMPORTANT: When stopping the lawn tractor for any reason while on a grass
surface:
1. Place the speed control lever/shift lever in N (neutral),
2. Engage the parking brake.
3. Shut engine OFF and remove the key. Doing so will minimize the possibility
of having your lawn "browned" by hot exhaust from your lawn tractor's
running engine.

Driving On Slopes

Refer to the SLOPE GAUGE on page 7 to help determine slopes where you may operate
the lawn tractor safely.
Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of
approximately 2-1⁄2 feet every 10 feet). The lawn tractor could overturn and
cause serious injury.
• Mow up and down slopes, NEVER across.
• Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.
• Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects. Uneven terrain
could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
• Avoid turns when driving on a slope. If a turn must be made, turn down the
slope. Turning up a slope greatly increases the chance of a roll over.
• Avoid stopping when driving up a slope. If it is necessary to stop while
driving up a slope, start up smoothly and carefully to reduce the possibility
of flipping the lawn tractor over backward.

Engaging the Blades

Engaging the PTO (blade engage) transfers power to the cutting deck. To engage
the blades, proceed as follows:
1. Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit) position.
2. Grasp the PTO lever and pivot it all the way forward into the engaged (PTO
ON) position.
3. Keep the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) position for the most efficient use
of the cutting deck or other optional attachments.
IMPORTANT: Models with REVERSE CAUTION MODE: The engine will
automatically shut OFF if the PTO is engaged with the speed control lever
in position for reverse travel with the key in the NORMAL DRIVING MODE
position.
IMPORTANT: Models without REVERSE CAUTION MODE: The PTO lever must
be in the disengaged (PTO OFF) position when starting the engine, when
traveling in reverse, and if the operator leaves the seat. Refer to Safety
Interlock Switches on page 17.
Using the Deck Lift Lever
To raise the cutting deck, move the deck lift lever to the left, then place it in the notch
best suited for your application. Refer to Setting the Cutting Height on page 15.
OPERATION
WARNING
Mowing
To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, keep bystanders,
helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in
operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
The following information will be helpful when using the cutting deck with your
lawn tractor:
Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of materials toward roads,
sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging material
against a wall or obstruction which may cause discharged material to
ricochet back toward the operator.
• Do not mow at high ground speed, especially if a mulch kit or grass collector
is installed.
• For best results it is recommended that the first two laps be cut with the
discharge thrown towards the center. After the first two laps, reverse the
direction to throw the discharge to the outside for the balance of cutting.
This will give a better appearance to the lawn.
• Do not cut the grass too short. Short grass invites weed growth and yellows
quickly in dry weather.
• Mowing should always be done with the engine at full throttle.
• Under heavier conditions it may be necessary to go back over the cut area a
second time to get a clean cut.
• Do NOT attempt to mow heavy brush and weeds and extremely tall grass.
Your lawn tractor is designed to mow lawns, NOT clear brush.
• Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades when worn. Refer to Cutting
Blades on page 27 for proper blade sharpening instructions.
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WARNING
WARNING