Craftsman 917.257573 Owner's Manual page 11

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 performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend a wide
vision safety mask for over the spectacles or standard safety glasses.
HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR
TO SET PARKING BRAKE (See Fig. 7)
• Depress clutch/brake pedal into ful "BRAKE" position
and hold,,
- Place parking brake lever in "ENGAGED" position and
release pressure from clutch/brake pedal. Pedal should
remain in "BRAKE" position. Make sure parking brake
will hold vehicle secure_
STOPPING (See Fig. 7)
MOWER BLADES -
° Move attachment clutch lever to "DISENGAGED" po-
sition_
GROUND DRIVE -
• Depress clutch/brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position,.
• Move gearshift lever to neutral (N) position,,
ENGINE -
= Move throttle control to stow (,,_) position_
NOTE: Failure to move throttle control to slow (_)
position and allowing engine to idle before stopping may
cause engine to "backfire",,
o 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,
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°
.... _ i i llll,,nll,,lll,,i
CAUTION: Always stop tractor com-
pletely, as described above, before leav-
ing the operator's position; to empty
grass catcher, etc.
TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (See Fig. 7)
Always operate engine at full throttle°
,, Operating engine at less than full throttle reduces the
battery charging rate.
° Full throttle offers the best bagging and mower perfor*
mance,
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD
(See Fig. 7)
The direction and speed of movement is controlled by the
gearshift lever.
' "_L " u,luu,,,,,
= Start tractor with clutch/brake pedal depressed and
gearshift lever in neutral (N) position.,
• Move gearshift lever to desired position.,
= 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,
THROTTLE/CHOKE
ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER
"ENGAGED" POSITION
"DISENGAGED"
T1ON
"BRAKE"
POSITION
PARKING BRAKE
"ENGAGED" POSITION
"DISENGAGED"
POSITION
GEARSHIFT
LEVER
CLUTCHfBRAKEPEDAL
"DRIVE"POSITION
FIG. 7
TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT
(See Fig. 6)
The position of the attachment lift lever determines the
cutting height.
• Grasp lift lever_
o Press plunger with thumb and move lever to desired
position.
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 approximate
and may vary depending upon soil conditions, height of
grass and types of grass being mowed
o The average lawn should be cut to approximately 2-1t2
inches during the cool season and to 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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