Craftsman 917.272951 Owner's Manual page 14

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
spectacles or standard safety glasses.
HOW TO USE YOU R TRACTOR
TO SET PARKING BRAKE
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 hold.
• Place parking brake lever in "EN-
GAGED" position and release
pressure from clutch/brake pedal.
Pedal should remain in "BRAKE"
position. Make sure parking brake will
hold tractor secure.
Push-In to "Disengaged' AttachrnentClutch
Chok-_ \ _witcn_u. uut io
Throttle_(_._s),( _'_ /""-_1,_
"B
Position / _ .Brake"Enga"_'0"_d"
o Posit_on .
/_ _ / _ G"ear Shift Lever
Clutch/Brake Pedal Height Adjustmen `-'_''--'- "-_-' " " t
"Drive" Position Knob
STOPPING
MOWER BLADES -
• To stop mower blades, move attach-
ment clutch switch to "DISENGAGED"
position.
GROUND DRIVE -
• To stop ground drive, depress clutch]
brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position.
• Move gearshift lever to neutral (N)
position.
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.
IMPORTANT: Leaving the ignition switch
in any position other than "OFF' will
cause the battery to be discharged,
(dead).
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.
_I_CAUTION: Always stop tractor
completely, as described above, before
leaving the operator's position; to empty
grass catcher, etc.
THROTTLE CONTROL
Always operate engine at full throttle.
• Operating engine at less than full
throttle reduces the battery charging
rate.
• Full throttle offers the best bagging and
mower performance.
CHOKE CONTROL
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 disen-
gage.
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACK-
WARD
The direction and speed of movement is
controlled by the gearshift lever.
• Start tractor with clutch/brake pedal
depressed and gearshift lever in
neutral (N) position.
• Move gearshift and range shift levers
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
The cutting height is controlled by turning
the height adjustment knob in desired
direction.
•Tum knob clockwise (ml) to raise
cutting height.
• Tum knob counterclockwise (_)to
14 lower cutting height.