To Operate Mower; Operating In Reverse; To Operate On Hills; To Transport - Craftsman 917.28707 Operator's Manual

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 -
_lb_ngage attachment clutch control.
AUTION: Do notoperatethe mowerwith-
out either the entire grass catcher, on mowers
so equipped, or the deflector shield in place.
Lift
High .Position
Attachment
Clutcl ,,'_ Low
,'.' Position
Position
Shield
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
absolutely necessary.
USIN d THE RE SERSE OPERATION SYSTEM -
1, Depress clutch/brake pedal all the way
down and hold.
2. With engine running, turn ignition key
counterclockwise to ROS "ON" position.
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 14
"ON" position.
ROS "ON" Position Engine "ON" Position
ENormal Operating)
_O 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.
• Choosetheslowastspeed 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 1st gear. Be sure
you have allowed room for tractor to roll
slightly as you restart movement.
• To rastart movement, slowly release park-
ing brake and clutch/brake pedal.
• Make all turns slowly.
TO TRANSPORT
• Raise attachment lift to highest position
with attachment lift control.
• When pushing or towing your tractor, be
su re gearshift lever is in neutral (N) position.
• 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 a trailer,
be sure hood is closed and secured to tractor.
Use an appropriate means of tying hood to
tractor (rope, cord, etc,).
TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS
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
cause you to lose control of your tractor.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL
The engine in your tractor has been shipped,
from the factory, already filled with summer
weight oil.
1. Checkengineoilwithtractoronlevelground.
2. Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe
clean, reinsert the dipstick and screw cap
tight, wait for a few seconds, remove and
read oil level, If necessary, add oil until
"FULC' mark on dipstick is reached. Do
not overfill.
For cold weather operation you should
change oil for easier starting (See the oil
viscosity chart in the Maintenance section
of this manual).