To Operate Mower; Operating In Reverse; To Operate On Hills; To Transport - Craftsman 917.28803 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 sec-
ond 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 equipment
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
without either the entire grass catcher, on
mowers so equipped, or the deflector shield
in place.
Lift
/ Lever High Position
Attachment \ /--,,£
Clutch Lever ,{_ Low
"Engaged' Y Position
"Disengag_
Position _
Shield
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)
position and slowly release clutch/brake
pedal to start movement.
5. When use ofthe 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
_,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 starting
up or down hills.
• Avoid stopping or changing speed on
hills.
If stopping is absolutely necessary, push
clutch/brake pedal quickly to brake position
and engage parking brake.
Move gearshift lever to 1 st gear. Be sure
you have allowed room for tractor to roll
slightly as you restart movement.
• To restart movement, slowly release park-
ing brake and clutch/brake pedal.
Make all turns slowly.
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 attach-
ment 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
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) posi-
tion.
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 atrailer,
be sure hood is closed and secured to tractor.
Use an appropriate means of tying hood to
tractor (rope, cord, etc.).
absolutely necessary.
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