Craftsman 917.272068 Owner's Manual page 13

The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the J
eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety J
glasses or eye shields while operating your tractor or performing any J
adjustments or repairs. We recommend standard safety glasses or a I
wide vision safety mask worn over spectacles. J
HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR
TO SET PARKING BRAKE
Your tractor is equipped with an operator
presence sensing switch. When engine
is running, any attempt by the operator to
leave the seat without first setting the
parking brake will shut off the engine.
1. Depress clutch/brake pedal all the
way down and hold.
2. Pull parking brake lever up and
release pressure from clutch/brake
pedal. Pedal should remain in brake
position. Make sure parking brake will
hold tractor secure.
Attachment Clutch Lever =Engaged" Position
_ Ignition Key
__/ _isengaged"
Throttle/_ _7_//Position
Choke "__t : \ _\\__ ..
Contr_ _ .\:, _\\_ Parking
Clutch/ __, "'.- -_--'- -'_:_)_ - -_/ "Eneaaed
Brake Peda Pos_io_
_ _-..,L..--/ Motion Control
/ _ _'Biiake""._ Lever
"Disengaged" Position
Position
STOPPING
MOWER BLADES -
• To stop mower blades, move attach-
ment clutch lever to "DISENGAGED"
position.
GROUND DRIVE -
• To stop ground drive, depress clutch/
brake pedal all the way down.
• Move motion control lever to neutral (N)
position.
IMPORTANT: The motion control lever
does not return to neutral (N) position
when the clutch/brake pedal is de-
pressed.
ENGINE -
• Move throttle control to slow position.
NOTE: Failure to move throttle control to
slow position and allowing engine to idle
before stopping may cause engine to
"backfire".
• Turn ignition key to "STOP" position
and remove key. Always remove key
when leaving tractor to prevent
unauthorized use.
• Never use choke to stop engine.
13
IMPORTANT: Leaving the ignition switch
in any position other than "STOP" will
cause the battery to discharge and go
dead.
NOTE: Under certain conditions when
tractor is standing idle with the engine
running, hot engine exhaust gases may
cause "browning" of grass. To eliminate
this possibility, always stop engine when
stopping tractor on grass areas.
A CAUTION: Always stop tractor
completely, as described above, before
leaving the operator's position.
TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL
Always operate engine at full throttle.
• Operating engine at less than full
throttle reduces the battery charging
rate.
• Full throttle offers the best bagging and
mower performance.
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD
The direction and speed of movement is
controlled by the motion control lever.
1. Start tractor with motion control lever in
neutral (N) position.
2. Release parking brake.
3. Slowly move motion control lever to
desired position.
TO ADJUST MOWER cu'rrlNG HEIGHT
The position of the attachment lift lever
determines the cutting height.
• Grasp lift lever.
• Press plunger with thumb and move
lever to desired position.
The cutting height range is approxi-
mately 1-1/2 to 4". The heights are
measured from the ground to the blade
tip with the engine not running. These
heights are approximate and may vary
depending upon soil conditions, height of
grass and types of grass being mowed.
• The average lawn should be cut to
approximately 2-1/2 inches during the
cool season and to over 3 inches
during hot months. For healthier and
better looking lawns, mow often and
after moderate growth.
• For best cutting performance, grass
over 6 inches in height should be
mowed twice. Make the first cut
relatively high; the second to desired
height.