Safety Interlock Switch Es; Starting The Engine; Stopping The Engine; Driving The Tractor - Craftsman 247.28984 Operator's Manual

SAFETY iNTERLOCK SWITCH ES
This tractoris equippedwith a safetyinterlock s ystemfor the protection
of the operator.If the interlocksystemshouldevermalfunction,do not
operatethe tractor.Contacta Searsor otherqualifiedservicedealer.
• The safetyinterlocksystempreventstheenginefrom crankingor
startingunlessthe parkingbrakeis engaged,and the PTO(Blade
Engage)knobis in thedisengaged(OFF)position.
Theenginewill automaticallyshut off if theoperatorleavesthe
seat beforeengagingthe parkingbrake.
• TheelectricPTO(Blade Engage)clutchwill automatically shut
off if the operatorleavesthe tractor'sseatwith the PTO(Blade
Engage)knobin the engaged(ON) position,regardless of
whetherthe parkingbrakeisengaged.
• Withthe ignition key inthe NORMALMOWINGposition,the
electricPTO(BladeEngage)clutchwillautomaticallyshut off if
the PTO(Blade Engage)knobis movedintothe engaged(ON)
positionwith thedrive pedalin positionfor reversetravel.
Do notoperatethe tractorif the interlocksystemis malfunctioning.
This systemwasdesignedfor your safetyand protection.
STARTING THE ENGINE
NOTE: Referto Gasand Oil in the Assemblysectionof this manual
for Gasolinefill-upinstructions. Referto Checkingthe EngineOil inthe
Serviceand Maintenance sectionof this manualfor oil fill-up instruc-
tions.
1. Insertthe tractorkey intothe ignitionswitch module.
2. Placethe PTO(BladeEngage)knobin the disengaged(OFF)
position.
3. Engagethe tractor'sparkingbrake.
4. Activatethrottleto run setting.
Note: Minimumsettingnot recommended.
5. Turnthe ignition key clockwiseto the STARTposition.After
theengine starts,releasethe key.It will returnto the NORMAL
MOWINGposition.
Do NOThold the key in the STARTpositionfor longerthan ten
secondsat a time.Doingso maycause damageto yourengine's
electricstarter.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
If you strikea foreignobject,stopthe engineand disconnectthe
spark plugwire(s). Thoroughlyinspectthe machinefor anydamage.
Repairthedamagebeforerestartingand operating.
1. If the bladesare engaged,placethe PTO/BladeEngageknobin
the disengaged(OFF) position.
2. Placethe throttle/chokecontrollevernearthe SLOWposition.
3. Turnthe ignition key counterclockwise to the STOPposition.
4. Removethe key fromthe ignition switchto preventunintended
starting.
DRIVING THE TRACTOR
Avoidsuddenstarts,excessivespeedand suddenstops.
1. Lightlypressthe brakepedalto releasethe parkingbrake.Move
the throttleleverintothe FAST(rabbit)position.
2. Totravel FORWARD, s lowlypressthe upper portionof the drive
pedal forwarduntilthe desiredspeedis achieved.See Figure7.
,
Figure7
3. Totravel in REVERSE, c heckthat the area behindis clear,then
slowlydepressthe lowerportionof the drivepedal with the ball of
yourfoot (NOTyourheel) untilthe desiredspeedis achieved.See
Figure7.
16
DoNOTattemptto changethe directionof travel whenthetractoris
in motion.Alwaysbringthe tractorto a completestop beforemoving
the tractorfromforwardto reverseor vice versa.
Donot leavethe seat of the tractorwithoutfirst placingthe PTO/
BladeEngageknobin the disengaged(OFF) positionand engaging
the parkingbrake. If leavingthe tractorunattended,alsoturn the
engineoff and removethe ignitionkey.