Craftsman EZ3 917.258691 Owner's Manual page 13

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HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR
TO SET PARKING BRAKE (See Fig, 8)
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_
° Depress clutch/brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position
and hotd_
• Place parking brake lever in "ENGAGED" position and
release pressure from clutch/brake pedal Pedal should
remain in"BRAKE" position. Make sure parking brake
will hold tractor secure.
CHOKE ATTACHMENT CLUTCH SWITCH
HROTTLE CONTROL PULL OUT TO "ENGAGE"
HEIGHT _'_.,._,_.,.,-'_2__J_,) _ {._>_""_
ADJUSTMENT _--'_-<_'__ _ I
KNOB "_ \_. _,__ r{_'@_'_
, _ \ \ '_- I _ ',..'_,_',-...._/PUSH-IN TO
' BRAKE" _'_'_ _'_ _ _ "DISENGAGE"
POSI N -'_ _"
T I__ LCMEOOv_T_#OL
k_ "'___ARK,N G BRAKE
CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL DISENGAGED ENGAGED
"DRIVE" POSIT!ON POSITION POSITION
......... ,,, ........ , ........ i._rii_ , , ", ,, ,,,. ,,
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 the spectacles or standard safety glasses.
TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (See Fig. 8)
Always operate engine at full throttle.
o Operating engine at less than fult throttle reduces the
battery charging rate
o Full throttle offers the best mower performance_
FIG. 8
STOPPING (See Fig. 8)
MOWER BLADES -
• Move attachment clutch switch to "DISENGAGED"
position_
GROUND DRIVE -
,, Depress clutch/brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position
• 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.
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 "OFF" position and remove key.
Always remove key when leaving tractor to prevent
unauthorized use,
° Never use choke to stop engine°
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.
CAUTION: Always stop tractor com-
pletely, as described above, before leav-
ing the operator's position; to empty
grass catcher, etc.
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TO USE CHOKE CONTROL (See Fig. 8)
Use choke control whenever you are starting a cold engine°
Do not use to start a warm engine.
= To engage choke control, pull knob out Slowly push
knob in to disengage.
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD (See
Fig. 8)
The direction and speed of movement is controlled by the
motion control lever
o Start tractor with motion control lever in neutral (N)
position
= Release parking brake and clutch/brake pedal
o Slowly move motion control lever to desired position°
TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT
(See Fig. 8)
The cutting height is controlled by turning the height adjust-
merit knob in desired direction°
. Turn knob clockwise (f_) to raise cutting heighL
- Turn knob counterclockwise (_)to lower cutting
height.
The cutting height range is approximately ld/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°
o 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.
o For best cutting performance, grass over 6 inches in
height should be mowed twtce Make the first cut
relatively high; the second to desired height
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TO ADJUST
GAUGE WHEELS
(See Fig. 9)
Gauge wheels are properly adjusted when they are slightly
off the ground when mower is at the desired cutting height
in operating position Gauge wheels then keep the deck in
proper position to help prevent scalping in most terrain
conditions.
• Adjust gauge wheels with tractor on a flat level surface.
• Adjust mower to desired cutting height (See "TO AD-
JUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT" in the Operation
section of this manual).
o With mower in desired height of cut position, gauge
wheels should be assembled so they are slightly off the
ground. Install gauge wheel in appropriate hole with
shoulder bolt, 3/8 washer, and 3/8-I6 Iocknut and
tighten securely
• Repeat for opposite side installing gauge wheet in
same adjustment hole.