To Operate Mower; To Operate On Hills; Operating In Reverse; To Transport - Craftsman 917.28705 Operator's Manual

, The average lawn should be cut to ap-
proximately 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.
TO OPERATE MOWER
Your tractor is equipped with an operator
presence sensing switch. Any attempt
by the operator to leave the seat with the
engine running and the attachment clutch
engaged will shut off the engine. You must
remain fully and centrally positioned in the
seat to prevent the engine from hesitating
or cutting off when operating your equip-
ment on rough, rolling terrain or hills.
1. Select desired height of cut.
2. Start mower blades by engaging at-
tachment clutch control.
TO STOP MOWER BLADES -
disengage attachment clutch control.
_I, CAUTION: Do not operate the mower
without either the entire grass catcher,
on mowers so equipped, or the deflector
shield in place.
Lift
Lever High Position
"Disengag
Position _
Shield
OPERATING IN REVERSE
Your tractor is equipped with a Reverse
Operation System (ROS). Any attempt by
the operator to travel in the reverse direc-
tion with the attachment clutch engaged
will shut off the engine unless the ignition
key is placed in the ROS "ON" position.
_,WARNING: Backing up with the at-
tachment clutch engaged while mowing
is strongly discouraged. Turning the ROS
"ON", to allow reverse operation with the
attachment clutch engaged, should only
be done when the operator decides it is
necessary to reposition the machine with
the attachment engaged. Do not mow in
reverse unless absolutely necessary.
USING THE REVERSE OPERATION
SYSTEM -
1. Depress clutch/brake pedal all the way
down and hold.
2. With engine running, turn ignition key
counterclockwise to ROS "ON" posi-
tion.
3. Look down and behind before and
while backing up.
4. Move gear shift lever to reverse (R) po-
sition and slowly release clutch/brake
pedal to start movement.
5. When use of the ROS is no longer
needed, turn the ignition key clockwise
to engine "ON" position.
ROS "ON" Position
Engine "ON" Position
(Normal Operating)
TO OPERATE ON HILLS
_I, WARNING: Do not drive up or down
hills with slopes greater than 15 ° and do
not drive across any slope. Use the slope
guide at the back of this manual.
, Choose the slowest speed before start-
ing up or down hills.
, Avoid stopping or changing speed on
hills.
• If stopping is absolutely necessary, push
clutch/brake pedal quickly to brake posi-
tion and engage parking brake.
• Move gearshift lever to 1st gear. Be
sure you have allowed room for tractor
to roll slightly as you restart movement.
• To restart movement, slowly release
parking brake and clutch/brake pedal.
, Make all turns slowly.
TO TRANSPORT
• Raise attachment lift to highest position
with attachment lift control.
, When pushing or towing your tractor,
be sure gearshift lever is in neutral (N)
position.
, Do not push or tow tractor at more than
five (5) MPH.
NOTE: To protect hood from damage
when transporting your tractor on a truck
or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and
secured to tractor. Use an appropriate
means of tying hood to tractor (rope, cord,
etc.).
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