Operation - Craftsman 917.255950 Owner's Manual

OPERATION
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
before performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend wide vision safety mask for over
the spectacles or standard safety glasses, available at Sears Retail or Catalog Stores.
HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR
TO SET PARKING BRAKE (See FIG. 13)
• Depress clutch/brake pedalinto full"BRAKE" position and
hol&
• Place parking brake lever in "ENGAGED" position and re-
lease pressure from clutch/brake pedal Pedal should re-
main in BRAKE position, Make sure parking brake will
hold vehicle secure,
STOPPING (See FIG. 13)
MOWER BLADES -
• Move attachment clutch lever to "DISENGAGED" posi-
tion
GROUND DRIVE -
. Depress clutch/brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position,
° Move gearshift lever to "NEUTRAL" position,
ENGINE -
• Move throttle control to "SLOW" position.
• Turn ignition key to "OFF" position and remove key. Al-
ways remove key when leaving vehicle to prevent un-
authorized use.
o Never use choke to stop engine.
TO USE CHOKE CONTROL (See FIG. 13)
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 disengage
TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (See FIG. 13)
Always operate engine at full throttle,
• Operating engine at less than full throttle reduces the bat-
tery charging rate and the engine cooling air flow,
o Full throttle offers the best mower perfornlance_
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD (See
FIG. 13)
The direction and speed of movement is controlled by the
gear shift lever,
• Start unit with clutch/brake pedal depressed and the
gearshift lever in "NEUTRAL" 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 CHANG-
ING GEARS.
CLUTCH/BRAKE
PEDAL "BRAKE" "ORIVE"
POSITION POSITION
ATTACHMENT
CLUTCH SWITCH
CHOKE
IGNITION THROTTLE
KE_ CONTROL
'LEVER
HEIGHT PARKING BRAKE
ADJUSTMENT "DISENGAGED"
KNOB POSITION
GEAR RANGE
SHIFT SHIFT
LEVER LEVER
FIG. 13
TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT (See
FIG. 13)
The cutting height is controlled by turning the height adjust-
ment knob in desired direction.
* Turn knob clockwise to raise cutting height,
o Turn knob counterclockwise to lower cutting height,
The cutting height range is approximately (1-1/4"to 3-3/4%
The heights are measured from the ground to the blade tip
with the engine not running, These heights are approximate
and may vary depending upon soil conditions, height of
grass and types of grass being mowed.
• The average lawn should be cut approximately 2-1/2
inches during the cool season arrd 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 relatively
high; the second to desired height.
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