Craftsman 917.257711 Owner's Manual page 12

HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR
TO SET PARKING BRAKE (See Fig, 8}
o Depress dutch/brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position
and hold.
Place parking brake tever in "ENGAGED" position and
release pressure from clutch/brake pedal. Pedal should
remain in "BRAKE" position. Make sure parking brake
will hold vehicle secure.
PARKING BRAKE ATTACHMENT
"ENGAGED" _GNmON CLUTCH SWmTCH
POSmON KEY PULL=OUT
"ENGAGE"
CHOKE
CONTROL
THROTTLE
CONTROL
LEVER
RANGE
SH{FT
LEVER
POSmON
"DRIVE" GEARSHIFT
POSITION HEIGHT LEVER
ADJUSTMENT
KNOB
FIGo 8
STOPPING (See Fig, 8)
MOWER B_DES .-
o Move attachment clutch switch to "DISENGAGED"
GROUND DRWE
o Depress clutch!brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position.
o Move gearshift _ever to neutral (N) position.
ENGINE o
o Move throttle control to slow (_) position.
NOTE: Failure to move throttle controJ to slow (_)
position and allowing engine to idle before stopping may
cause engine to "backfire".
Turn ignition key to "OFF" position and remove key.
AJways remove key when leaving tractor to prevent
unauthorized use.
Never use choke to stop engine.
NOTE: Under cedar conditions when tractor is standing
idle with the engine harming, hot engine exhaust gases may
cause "browning" of grass, To eliminate this possibility,
always stop engine when stopping tractor on grass areas.
12
TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (See Fig. 8)
Always operate engiru_, _at fuIl throttle,
o Operating engin_:¢ at less than full throttle reduces the
battery charging rate.
o Full throttle offers the best mower performance,
TO USE CHOKE CONTROL (See Fig. 8)
Use choke controi whenever you are starling a cold engine.
Do not use to stars a warm engine.
o To engage cheke control, pull knob out. Slowly push
knob in to disengage.
TO _OVE FORWARD AND B_tCKWARD
(See Fig° 8)
]he direction and speed of movement is controlled by the
gearshift lever_
Start tractor wth ciuteh/brake pedal depressed and
gearshift lever in neutral (N) position.
o Move gearshift and range shift Jevers to desired posi-
tion.,
o Slowly release dutch/brake pedal to start movement.
_MPOR_°AN°[': BRING TRACTOR TO A COMPLETE STOP
BEFORE SHIFTING OR CHANGING GEARS. FAILURE
TO DO SO WiLL SHORTEN THE USEFUL LIFE OF YOUR
TRANSAXLE.
TO ADJUS°'_ _qOWER CUTtiNG HEIGHT
(See Fig° 8)
The cuttir_g height is controlled by turning the height adjust _
ment knob in desired direction,
o Turn knob clockwise (;-4) to _aise cutting height.
o Turn knob counterclockwise (V_)to tower cutting
The cutting height range is approximately 1o4/4" to 4.-1/4",
The heights are measured from the ground to the blade tip
with the engine not ru_ning, These heights an_;,approxi-
mate and may va_ depending upon sol cor_ditions, height
of grass and _ypes of grass bei_g mowed,
o The average iawn sho_JJId be cut to approxin: ely 2-!/2
inches dudng the coot season and to over 3 inches
dL_ring hot months. _or healthier artd better looking
lawns mow often and after moderate growth.
For best cutting pe_'formance_ grass over 6 inches in
height shou!d be mowed twice, Make the first cut
relatively high; the secor_d to desired height°