Craftsman 247.288851 Operator's Manual page 15

SAFeTY INTeRLOCk SYSTeM
The safety interlock system is designed for safe operation of the trac-
tor. If this system should ever malfunction, do not operate the tractor.
Immediately contact 1-800-4-MY-HOME to have the system serviced.
• The safety interlock system prevents the engine from starting
unless the parking brake is engaged and the PTO (Blade Engage)
lever is in the disengaged (OFF) position.
• The safety interlock system will automatically shut off the engine if
the operator leaves the seat before engaging the parking brake.
• The safety interlock system will automatically shut off the engine
if the operator leaves the tractor's seat with the PTO (Blade
Engage) lever engaged, regardless of whether the parking brake
is engaged.
• The engine will automatically shut off if the PTO (Blade Engage)
lever is moved into the engaged (ON) position with the shift lever
in Reverse.
IgNITION SWITCH
The ignition switch is activated to start the engine. Insert key into the
ignition switch and turn clockwise to the START position. Release the
Off
key into the ON position once engine has fired.
To stop the engine, turn the ignition key counterclockwise to the OFF
position.
WARNINg
Never leave a running machine unattended. Always disengage PTO,
move shift lever into neutral position, set parking brake, stop engine
and remove key to prevent unintended starting.
eNgAgINg THe pARkINg bRAke
To engage the parking brake:
1. Fully depress the brake pedal and hold it down with your foot.
2. Move the speed control lever all the way down and into the
parking brake position.
3. Release the brake pedal to allow the parking brake to engage.
To release the parking brake:
1. Depress the brake pedal and move the speed control lever out of
the parking brake position and into a desired speed.
OPERATION
On
Start
SeTTINg THe CUTTINg HeIgHT
1. Select the height position of the cutting deck by placing the deck
lift lever in any of the different cutting height notches on the right
side of the fender.
2. Adjust the deck wheels so that they are between ¼-inch and
½-inch above the ground when the tractor is on a smooth, flat
surface such as a driveway.
To adjust Deck Wheels:
1. Remove the flange lock nut on the shoulder bolt securing the
deck wheel.
2. Position the wheel to the desired height as listed above. See Fig.
8.
3. Secure the shoulder bolt with the flange lock nut.
Keep hands and feet away from the discharge opening of the cutting
deck.
NOTE: The deck wheels are an anti-scalp feature of the deck and
are not designed to support the weight of the cutting deck. Refer to
Leveling in the Maintenance & Service section of this manual for more
detailed instructions regarding various deck adjustments.
STARTINg THe eNgINe
Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning.
This system was designed for your safety and protection.
NOTE: Refer to the Gasoline and Oil fill-up instructions earlier in this
section.
1. Insert the tractor key into the ignition switch.
2. Place the PTO (Blade Engage) lever in the disengaged (OFF)
position.
3. Engage the tractor's parking brake.
4. Activate the choke control by moving the throttle/choke lever all
the way up into the choke position.
15
WARNINg
Figure 8
WARNINg