Craftsman 917.273201 Owner's Manual page 15

• The average
lawn should be cut to
approximately 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 rela-
tively high; the second to desired height.
TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS
Gauge wheels are properly adjusted
when they are slightly off the ground when
mower is at the desired cutting height in
operating position. Gauge wheels then
keep the deck in proper position to help
prevent scalping in most terrain condi-
tions.
• Be sure tractor is on a flat level surface.
• Lower mower and adjust mower to
desired cutting height.
• Remove retainer spring and clevis pin
which secure each gauge wheel bar.
• Lower gauge wheels to ground. Raise
gauge wheels slightly to align holes in
bracket and gauge wheel bar and insert
clevis pin. Gauge wheels should be
slightly off the ground.
• Replace retainer spring into clevis pin.
Retainer
spring
ClEvis
._-.-. Pin
IMPORTANT: Be sure to readjust gauge
wheels if you change the cutting height of
the mower deck.
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.
• Select desired height of cut.
• Lower mower with attachment lift con-
trol.
• Start mower blades by enga_]ing attach-
, ment clutch control.
• TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disen-
gage attachment clutch control.
,_CAUTION: Do not operate the mower
without either the entire grass catcher, on
mowers so equipped, or the discharge
guard in place.
TO OPERATE ON HILLS
_CAUTION: Do not drive up or down
hills with slopes greater than 15 ° and do
not drive across any slope.
• Choose the slowest speed before start-
ing up or down hills.
• Avoid stopping or changing speed on
hills.
• If slowing is necessary, move throttle
control lever to slower position.
i f stopping is absolutely necessary, push
clutch/brake pedal quickly to brake posi-
tion and engage parking brake.
Move motion control lever to neutral (N)
position.
IMPORTANT: The motion control lever
does not return to neutral (N) position
when the clutch/brake pedal is depressed.
• To restart movement, slowly release
parking brake and clutch/brake pedal.
• Slowly move motion control lever to
slowest setting.
• Make all turns slowly.
Attachment Clutch
Switch Pull Out To
"Engage"
Push In TO -"Z_, __
"Disengage" f_) )_'
Attachment Lift Lever
High Position
/ LOW
JPosition
_ Discharge
\ Guard
TO TRANSPORT
When pushing or towing your tractor, be
sure to disengage transmission by placing
freewheel control in freewheeling posi-
tion. Freewheel control is located at the
rear drawbar of tractor.
• Raise attachment lift to highest position
with attachment lift control.
• Remove retainer spring from freewheel
control rod.
• Push control rod in to disengage trans-
mission and reinsert retainer spring into
control rod hole now on back side of the
bracket.
• Do not push or tow tractor at more than
two (2) MPH.
• To reengage transmission, reverse
above procedure.
15