Craftsman 917.28853 Operator's Manual page 11

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 recom=
mend standard safety glasses or a wide vision safety mask worn over spectacles.
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 brake pedal (B) all the way down
and hold.
2. Pull parking brake lever (C) up and hold,
release pressure from brake pedal (B),
then release parking brake lever. Pedal
should remain in brake position. Ensure
parking brake will hold tractor secure.
• Turn ignition key (F) to "STOP" position
and remove key. Always remove key when
leaving tractorto 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.
_I, CAUTION: Always stop tractor com-
pletely, as described above, before leaving
the operator's position.
STOPPING
MOWER BLADES -
, To stop mower blades, move attachment
clutch control to disengaged position (r_).
TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL
Always operate engine at full speed (fast).
• Operating engine at less than full speed
(fast) reduces engine's operating effi-
ciency.
• Full speed (fast) offers the best mower
performance.
(_) Attachment (t_=l) Attachment
Clutch Control Clutch Control
"Engaged .... Disengaged"
GROUND DRIVE-
, To stop ground drive, depress brake pedal
all the way down.
IMPORTANT: Forward and reverse drive
pedals return to neutral position when not
depressed.
ENGINE -
• Move throttle control (D) between half and
full speed (fast) position.
NOTE: Failure to move throttle control be-
tween half and full speed (fast) position, be-
fore stopping, may cause engine to "backfire".
11
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD
The direction and speed of movement
is controlled by the forward and reverse
drive pedals.
1. Start tractor and release parking brake.
2. Slowly depress forward (K) or reverse (L)
drive pedal to begin movement. Ground
speed increases the further down the
pedal is depressed.