Craftsman EZ3 917.271111 Owner's Manual page 14

The operationof anytractorcanresultin foreignobjectsthrownintothe
eyes,whichcan resultin severeeye damage. A lwayswearsafetyglasses
or eyeshieldswhileoperatingyourtractoror performinganyadjustments or
repairs.We recommend a widevisionsafetymaskover spectacles, o r
standardsafetyglasses.
HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR
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
paddng brake will shut off the engine,
TO SET PARKING BRAKE
• 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.
Throttle/Choke Attachment Clutch
Lever "Engaged"
Conb'ol Position
=Disengaged"
"Brake" ', Perking Brake
Position
Position
Gear Shift
Pedal "Ddve" --- =Dise_jaged -'_'_
Lever
Position Position
STOPPING
MOWER BLADES -
• To stop mower blades, move attach-
ment clutch lever to "DISENGAGED"
position.
GROUND DRIVE -
• To stol_ ground drive, depress
clutch/brake pedal into full =BRAKE"
position.
• Move gearshift lever to neutral (N) posi-
tion.
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 run-
ning, hot engine exhaust gases may
cause =browning" of grass. To eliminate
this possibility, always stop engine when
stopping tractor on grass areas.
_, CAUTION: Always stop tractor com-
pletely, as described above, before leav-
ing the operator's position; to empty grass
catcher, etc.
THROTTLE CONTROL
Always operate engine at full throttle.
• Operating engine at less than full throt-
tle reduces the battery charging rate.
• Full throttle offers the best bagging and
mower performance.
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD
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 lever to desired posi-
tion.
• 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.
• Turn knob clockwise (0) to raise cutting
height.
• Turn knob counterclockwise (_))to
lower cutting height.
The cutting height range is approximately
1-1/2" to 4". The heights are measured
from the ground to the blade tip with the
engine not running. These heights are ap-
proximate and may vary depending upon
soil conditions, height of grass and types
of grass being mowed.
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