Craftsman 917.255575 Owner's Manual page 12

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 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. 9)
• Depress clutch/brake pedal into full "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 tractor' secure.
ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER
"ENGAGED" POSITION
IGNITION KEY
THROTTLE/ I
CHOKE V
CONTROL
LEVER-
"DISENGAGED =
POSITION
PARKING
BRAKE
"ENGAGED"
POSITEON
/
GEAR-
LEVER
"BRAKE"
POSITION
CLUTCH/BRAKE
PEDAL "DRIVE" POSITION
PARKING BRAKE
"DISENGAGED"POSITION
FIG, 9
STOPPING (See Fig. 9)
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" position.
ENGINE -
. Move throttle control to "SLOW" position.
NOTE: Failure to movethrottte controlto "SLOW" position
and allowing engine to idle before stopping may cause
engine to "backfire".
• 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 unit is standing idle
with the engine running, hot engine exhaust gases may
cause "browning" of grass. To eliminate this possibility,
always stop engine when stopping unit on grass areas.
L
CAUTION: Always stop unit completeiy' _
k as described above, before leavlngthe
I _ operator's position; to empty grass a
=_ catcher, etc.
TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (See Fig. 9)
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 per-
formance_
12
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD (See
Fig. 8)
The direction and speed of movement is controlled by the
gearshift lever_
• Start tractor with clutch/brake pedal depressed and
gearshift lever in NEUTRAL position_
• Move gearshift leverto 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
TRANSAXLEo
TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT (See
Fig° 8)
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 soi! conditions, height of
grass and types of grass being mowed.
. The average lawn should be cut to approximately
2-1/2 inches during the cool season arrd to over3
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,