Mowing Tips; Operating The Tractor On Hills; Flip-Up Discharge Guard - Craftsman 917.254722 Owner's Manual

CAUTION: NEVER RUN THE ENGINE WITHOUT AIR-
INTAKE DUCT INSTALLED (FIG, 4). MAKE
SURE BOTTOM LIP OF AIR INTAKE DUCT
SITS BETWEEN BATTERY AND LIP OF
BATTERY TRAY.
4, Mowing Tips
NOTE: TIRE CHAINS CANNOT BE USED WiTH THE
MOWER HOUSING ATTACHED.
BEFORE OPERATING YOUR MOWER.
REFER TO PAGE 2.
a. Use the runner on the R.H. side as a guide; the blade
cuts approximately an inch outside the runner (Fig.
t8).
b. Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area
that has been cut. Have the cut area to the right of
the machine. This wit/ result in a more even distri-
bution of clippings and more uniform cutting.
'THROTTLE
CONTROL
HEIGHT
ADJUSTMENT
KNOB
\
OPERA
TtON
c . When mowing large areas (Fig. 79), start by turning
to the right so that the chppings w/// discharge away
from shrubs, fences driveways, etc. After one or
two rounds, mow in the opposite direction making
!eft hand turns until finished.
d. If grass is extremely taft, it should be mowed twice.
The first time cut relatively high; the second time
to the desired height.
e. The left hand side of mower should be used for
trimming.
r, Do not mow tall, dry grass over 6 inches tall. It is a fire
hazard
5. Operating The Tractor On Hills
DO NOT DRJVE UP OR DOWN HILLS WITH ]
_ SLOPES GREATER THAN !5':' AND DO l
NOT DRIVE ACROSS ANY SLOPE, REFER
TO PAGE 5!.
a. Move gear shift lever to '" 1ST'" gear before starting
up or down hills.
b. A VOID STOPPING OR SHIFTING ON HILLS.
c, tf slowing is necessary, move throttle control lever
to slower position.
LEAVE ENOUGH ROOM WHEN STOP-
PiNG AND STARTING TO ALLOW SLIGHT
TRACTOR ROLL DOWNHILL AS CLUTCH/
BRAKE PEDAL MOVES THROUGH CLUTCH
POSITION.
d. tf stopping is absolutely necessary push ctutch/brake
pedal quickly to brake position and engage parking
brake.
, . To restart tractor movement, make sure tractor is in
the lowest speed range (" 1ST'" Gear) and that you
have allowed room to roll stighdy downhill. Depress
ctutch/brake full. Disengaged parking brake and
rMease cJutch/brake pedal SLOWLY to start tractor
movemen:t.
15
f
GEAR SHIFT
CONTROL LEVER
FIGURE 1 7
f. Make all turns gradually.
FIGURE t9
6. Flip-Up Discharge Guard
Your mower has a flip-up discharge guard (Fig. 18,! for
door or gate clearance when held in raised position.
MAKE SURE ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER
IS
_N
"DISENGAGED" POS1T_ON AND
l
BLADES HAVE STOPPED BEFORE RAIS{NG
DISCHARGE GUARD {DEFLECTOR}. NEVER
OPERATE MOWER W_THOUT D_SCHARGE i
GUARD _N OPERATING POS_T_ON. I