Driving The Tractor; Driving On Slopes - Craftsman R1000 Series Operator's Manual

Driving The Tractor

Avoid sudden starts, excessive speed and sudden stops.
Do not leave the seat of the tractor without first placing the PTO (Blade
Engage) lever in the disengaged (OFF) position, depressing the brake pedal
and engaging the parking brake. If leaving the tractor unattended, also
turn the ignition key off and remove the key.
Always look down and behind before and while backing up to avoid a back-
over accident.
1. Depress the brake pedal and move the speed control lever out of the parking
brake position,then let the pedal release.
2. Move the throttle lever into the FAST (rabbit) position.
3. Place the shift lever in either the FORWARD or REVERSE position.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT use the shift lever to change the direction of travel when the
tractor is in motion. Always use the brake pedal to bring the tractor to a complete
stop before shifting.
4. Release the parking brake by depressing the clutch-brake pedal and
positioning the speed control lever in desired position.
IMPORTANT: First-time operators should use speed positions 1 or 2. Become
completely familiar with the tractor's operation and controls before operating the
tractor in higher speed positions.
5. Release clutch-brake pedal slowly to put unit into motion.
6. The lawn tractor is brought to a stop by depressing the clutch-brake pedal.
NOTE: When operating the unit initially, there will be little difference between the
highest two speeds until after the belts have seated themselves into the pulleys
during the break-in period.
Before leaving the operator's position for any reason, disengage the blades, place
the shift lever in neutral, engage the parking brake, shut engine off and remove
the key.
IMPORTANT: When stopping the tractor for any reason while on a grass surface,
always:
1. Place the shift lever in 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 tractor's running
engine.
If unit stalls with speed control in high speed, or if unit will not operate with speed
control lever in a low speed position, proceed as follows:
1. Place shift lever in NEUTRAL.
2. Restart engine.
3. Place speed control lever in highest speed position.
4. Release clutch-brake pedal fully.
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5. Depress clutch-brake pedal.
6. Place speed control lever in desired position.
7. Place shift lever in either FORWARD or REVERSE, and follow normal operating
procedures.

Driving On Slopes

Refer to the SLOPE GAUGE in the Safety Instructions section of the manual to help
determine slopes where you may operate this tractor safely.
Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 12 degrees (a rise of
approximately 2 feet every 10 feet). The 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 tractor over backward.
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