Craftsman 917.254531 Owner's Manual page 11

OPERATION
The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can
result in severe eye damage, Always wear safety g|asses or eye shields while operating
your tractor or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend wide vision safety
mask for over the spectacles or standard safety glasses, available at Sears Retail or
Catalog stores.
HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR
TO SET PARKING BRAKE (See Fig. 7)
• Depress clutch/brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position
and hold.
• Place parking brake lever in "ENGAGED" position and
release pressurefrom clutch/brake pedal. Pedal should
remain in "BRAKE" position. Make sure parking brake
will hold vehicle secure.
IGNITION ATTACHMENT
KEY ,, CLUTCH LEVER
"ENGAGED"
POSITION
"DISENGAGED"
POSITION
_ROTTL_
CHOKE
CONTROL'
LEVER
PARKING
BRAKE
"ENGAGED"
GEAR-
LEVER
"BRAKE'
POSITION
CLUTCHtBRAKE
PEDAL "DRIVE" POSITION
PARKING BRAKE
'DISENGAGED" POSITION
FIG. 7
STOPPING (See Fig. 7)
MOWER BLADES -
o Move attachment clutch lever to "DISENGAGED" po-
sition,
GROUND DRIVE -
• Depress clutch/brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position.
o Move gearshift lever to "NEUTRAL" position.
ENGINE -
• Move throttle control to"SLOW" position°
o Turn ignition key to "OFF" position and remove key.
Always remove key when leaving vehicle to prevent
unauthorized use.
o Never use choke to stop engine,
NOTE: Under certain conditions when unit is standing idle
with the engine running, hot engine exhaust gases may
cause "browning" of Brass. To eliminate this possibility,
always stop engine wnen stopping unit on grass areas.
---CAUTIO N_p unit cornpletely,-
a_ov,be efore leaving the
_. po Istol _n' to empty grass
TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (See Fig. 7)
Always operate engine at full throttle,
o Operating engine at less than full throttle reduces the
battery charging rate and the engine cooling air flow,
• Full throttle offers the best bagging and mower per-
formance,
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD (See
F g.6)
The direction and speed of movement is controlled by the
gearshift lever,
• Start tractor with clutch/brake pedal depressed and
gearshift lever in "NEUTRAL position,
• Move gearshift lever to desired position,
. 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 (See
Fig. 6)
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..1/2to 4'L 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.
° The average lawn should be cut approximately 2-1/2
inches during the cool season and over 3 inches during
hot month& For healthier and better looking lawns,
mow often and after moderate growths
o For best cutting performance grass over 6 inches in
heght should be mowed twice, Make the first cuf
relatively high; the second to desired height.
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