Craftsman 917.280150 Operator's Manual page 13

SAFETYGLASSES
The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the
eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses
or eye shields while operating your tractor or performing any adjustments
or repairs. We recommend a wide vision safety mask over spectacles or
standard safety glasses.
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 bythe 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.
Throttle/
Choke
Control X
"Brake"
Position
Attachment Clutch Lever
"Engaged" Position
Ignition Key
,"Disengaged"
Position
Parking Brake
"Engaged"
Position
Clutch/
Brake Pedal
STOPPING
"Disengaged" arshift
Position Lever
MOWER BLADES -
• To stop mower blades, move attachment
clutch lever to disengaged position.
GROUND DRIVE -
• To stop ground drive, depress clutch/brake
pedal all the way down.
• Move gearshift lever to neutral position.
ENGINE -
• Move throttle control between half and full
speed (fast) position.
NOTE: Failure to move throttle control
between half and full speed (fast) posi-
tion, before stopping, may cause engine to
"backfire".
• Turn ignition keyto"STOP" position and re-
move key. Always remove key when leav-
ing tractor to prevent unauthorized use.
• Never use choke to stop engine.
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 "brown-
ing" of grass. To eliminate this possibility,
always stop engine when stopping tractor
on grass areas.
_IIOAUTION: Always stop tractor com-
pletely, as described above, before leaving
the operator's position.
TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL
Always operate engine at full speed (fast).
• Operating engine at less than full speed
(fast) reduces engine's operating efficiency.
• Full speed (fast) offers the best mower
performance.
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD
The direction and speed of movement is
controlled by the gearshift lever.
1. Start tractor with clutch/brake pedal
depressed and gearshift lever in neutral
position.
2. Move gearshift leverto desired position.
3. Slowly release clutch/brake pedal to start
movement.
IMPORTANT: Bring tractor to a complete
stop before shifting or changing gears.
Failure to do so will shorten the useful life
of your transaxle.
TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT
13
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 approximately
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 condi-
tions, height of grass and types of grass
being mowed.
• The average lawn should be cut to ap-
proximately 2-1/2" during the cool sea-
son and to over 3" during hot months.
For healthier and better looking lawns,
mow often and after moderate growth.
• For best cutting performance, grass over
6" in height should be mowed twice. Make
the first cut relatively high; the second to
desired height.