To Adjust Gauge Wheels; To Operate On Hills; To Transport; To Operate Mower - Craftsman 917.273664 Owner's Manual

TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS
Gauge wheels are properly adjusted when
they are slightly off the groundwhen mower
is at the desired cutting height in operating
position. Gaugewheels then keep the deck
in proper position to help prevent scalping
in mostterrain conditions.
NOTE:Besuretractoris on a flatlevelsurface.
1. Lower mowerand adjust mowerto
desired cutting height.
2. Remove retainer spring and clevis pin
which secure each gauge wheel bar.
3. Lower gauge wheels to ground. Raise
gauge wheels slightly to align holes
in bracket and gauge wheel bar and
insert clevis pin. Gauge wheels should
be slightly off the ground.
4. Replaceretainer spring into clevis pin.
5. Be sure all gauge wheels are in the
same setting.
IMPORTANT: Be sure to readjust gauge
wheels if you change the cutting height of
the mower deck.
TO OPERATE ON HILLS
_WARNING: Do not drive up or down
hills with slopes greaterthan 15° and do
not drive across any slope. Use the slope
guide provided 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 slowing is necessary, move throttle
control lever to slower position.
• If stopping is absolutely necessary, push
clutch/brake pedal quickly to brake posi-
tion and engage parking brake.
• 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 depressed.
• To restart movement, slowly release
parking brake and clutch/brake pedal.
, Slowly move motion control lever to
slowest setting.
, Make all turns slowly.
Retainer Spring
Clevis Pin
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.
_CAUTION: Do not operate the mower with-
out either the entire grass catcher, on mowers
so equipped, or the deflector shield in place.
Push In To "Disengage"
Lift Lever
High
Position
Low
Position
Attachment
Clutch Switch Deflector
Pull Out To _ Shield
"Engage"
TO TRANSPORT
When pushing or towing your tractor, be
sure to disengage transmission by placing
freewheel control in freewheeling position.
Freewheel control is located at the rear
drawbar of tractor.
1. Raise attachment lift to highest position
with attachment lift control.
2. Pull freewheel control out and down
into the slot and release so it is held in
the disengaged position.
• Do not push or tow tractor at more than
two (2) MPH.
, To re-engage transmission, reverse
above procedure.
Transmission Engaged
Transmission Disengaged
NOTE: To protect hood from damage
when transporting your tractor on a truck
or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and se-
cured to tractor. Use an appropriate means
of tying hood to tractor (rope, cord, etc.).
TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACH-
MENTS
Tow only the attachments that are recom-
mended by and comply with specifications
of the manufacturer of your tractor. Use
common sense when towing. Too heavy
of a load, while on a slope, is dangerous.
Tires can lose traction with the ground and
12 cause you to lose control of your tractor.