Craftsman 247.28905 Operator's Manual page 17

• Avoid stopping when driving up a slope. If it is necessary to stop
while driving up a slope, start up smoothly and carefully to reduce
the possibility of flipping the tractor over backward.
eNgAgiNg THe bLADeS
Engaging the PTO (Blade Engage) transfers power to the cutting deck
or other (separately available) attachments. To engage the blades,
proceed as follows:
1. Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit) position.
2. Grasp the PTO (Blade Engage) lever and pivot it all the way
forward into the engaged (ON) position.
3. Keep the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) position for the most
efficient use of the cutting deck or other (separately available)
attachments.
IMPORTANT: In the Reverse Caution Mode the engine will auto-
matically shut off if the PTO is engaged with the speed control lever
in position for reverse travel with the ignition key in the NORMAL
MOWING position.
USiNg THe DeCk LiFT LeVeR
To raise the cutting deck, move the deck lift lever to the left, then place
it in the notch best suited for your application. Refer to Setting The
Cutting Height earlier in this section.
MoWiNg
WARNiNg
To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, keep bystand-
ers, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine
while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
The following information will be helpful when using the cutting deck
with your tractor:
WARNiNg
Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of materials toward
roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging
material against a wall or obstruction which may cause discharged
material to ricochet back toward the operator.
• Do not mow at high ground speed, especially if a mulch kit or
grass collector is installed.
• For best results it is recommended that the first two laps be cut
with the discharge thrown towards the center. After the first two
laps, reverse the direction to throw the discharge to the outside
for the balance of cutting. This will give a better appearance to the
lawn.
• Do not cut the grass too short. Short grass invites weed growth
and yellows quickly in dry weather.
• Mowing should always be done with the engine at full throttle.
• Under heavier conditions it may be necessary to go back over the
cut area a second time to get a clean cut.
• Do NOT attempt to mow heavy brush and weeds and extremely
tall grass. Your tractor is designed to mow lawns, NOT clear
brush.
• Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades when worn. Refer
to Cutting Blades in the Service and Maintenence section of this
manual for proper blade sharpening instructions.
OPERATION
MoViNg THe TRACToR MANUALLY
Your tractor's transmission is equipped with a hydrostatic relief valve
for occasions when it is necessary to move the tractor manually.
Activating this valve forces the fluid in the transmission to bypass its
normal route, allowing the rear tires to "freewheel." To engage the
hydrostatic relief valve, proceed as follows:
1. Locate the hydrostatic bypass rod in the rear of the tractor. See
Fig. 10.
2. Pull the hydrostatic bypass rod outward, then down and to the left,
to lock it in place.
NOTE: The transmission will NOT engage when the hydrostatic
bypass rod is pulled out. Return the rod to its normal position prior to
operating the tractor.
IMPORTANT: Never attempt to move the tractor manually without
first engaging the hydrostatic relief valve. Doing so will result in serious
damage to the tractor's transmission.
HeADLigHTS
• The lamps are ON whenever the tractor's engine is running.
• The lamps turn OFF when the ignition key is moved to the STOP
position.
17
Figure 10