Driving On Slopes; Engaging The Blades; Mulching; Using The Deck Lift Lever - Craftsman 247.288851 Operator's Manual

DRiViNG ON
SLOPES
Referto the SLOPEGAUGEin the SafetyInstructions sectionof the
manualto helpdetermineslopeswhereyou mayoperatethis tractor
safely.
Do notmow on inclines w ith a slopein excessof 15 degrees(a rise
of approximately 2-1/2feet every 10feet). Thetractorcouldoverturn
and causeseriousinjury.
• Mow up and downslopes,NEVERacross.
Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirectionon slopes.
Watchfor holes, ruts,bumps,rocks,or otherhiddenobjects.
Uneventerraincouldoverturnthemachine.Tallgrasscan hide
obstacles.
Avoidturns whendrivingon a slope. If a turn mustbe made,turn
downthe slope.Turningup a slopegreatlyincreasesthechance
of a roll over.
Avoidstoppingwhendrivingup a slope. If it is necessaryto stop
whiledrivingup a slope,start up smoothlyand carefullyto reduce
the possibilityof flippingthe tractoroverbackward.
ENGAGING THE BLADES
Engagingthe PTO(Blade Engage)transferspowerto the cuttingdeck
or other (separatelyavailable)attachments.Toengagethe blades,
proceedas follows:
1. Movethe throttle/choke control leverto the FAST(rabbit)position.
2. Graspthe PTO(BladeEngage)leverand pivot it all the way
forwardintothe engaged(ON)position.
3. Keepthe throttleleverin the FAST(rabbit)positionforthe most
efficientuseof thecuttingdeck or other(separatelyavailable)
attachments.
NOTE: The enginewill automatically shut off if the PTOis engaged
with the shiftleverin positionfor reversetravelwith the ignitionkey in
the ONposition.
MULCHING
A mulchkit is availableasan attachment.Mulchingis a processof
recirculatinggrassclippingsrepeatedlybeneaththe cuttingdeck.The
ultra-fineclippingsare thenforced back intothe lawnwherethey act as
a naturalfertilizer.
A mulchkit canbe purchasedthroughthe retaillocationin which you
purchasedthis tractor.For more information, simply contact Sears
at 1-800-4-MY-HOME®.
USING THE DECK LIFT LEVER
Toraisethe cuttingdeck,movethe deck lift levertothe left,then place
it in the notchbest suitedfor yourapplication.Referto SettingThe
CuttingHeightearlierin this section.
MOWING
Tohelp avoidblade contactor a thrownobject injury,keepbystand-
ers, helpers,childrenand pets at least75 feet from the machine
while it is in operation.Stopmachineif anyoneentersthe area.
The followinginformationwill be helpfulwhenusingthe cuttingdeck
with yourtractor:
Planyourmowingpatternto avoiddischargeof materialstoward
roads,sidewalks,bystanders and the like. Also,avoiddischarging
materialagainsta wall or obstruction which may causedischarged
materialto ricochetback towardthe operator.
Donot mowat highground speed,especiallyif a mulchkit or
grass collectoris installed.
• Forbest resultsit is recommended that the first two laps be cut
with the dischargethrowntowardsthe center.After the firsttwo
laps,reversethedirectionto throwthe dischargeto theoutside
for the balanceof cutting.This will givea betterappearanceto the
lawn.
• Donot cut the grasstoo short. Shortgrassinvitesweedgrowth
and yellowsquicklyin dry weather.
• Mowingshouldalwaysbe done with the engineat full throttle.
• Underheavierconditionsit maybe necessaryto go backoverthe
cut areaa secondtime to get a cleancut.
• Do NOTattemptto mowheavy brushandweeds and extremely
tall grass.Yourtractoris designedto mow lawns,NOTclear
brush.
• Keepthe bladessharpand replacethe bladeswhenworn. Refer
to CuttingBladesin the Servicesectionof this manualfor proper
bladesharpeninginstructions.
HEADLIGHTS
• The lampsare ONwheneverthe tractor'sengineis running.
• The lampsturn OFFwhenthe ignitionkey is movedto the STOP
position.
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