Craftsman 917.271631 Owner's Manual page 13

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 over
spectacles or standard safety glasses.
HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR
TO SET PARKING BRAKE
Your' tractor' is equipped with an operator
presence sensing switch. When engine
is running, any attempt by the operator to
leave the seat without first setting the
parking brake will shut off the engine.
1. Depress clutch/brake pedal into full
"BRAKE" position and hold.
2. Place parking brake lever in "EN-
GAGED" position and release
pressure frorn clutch/brake pedal.
Pedal should remain in "BRAKE"
position° Make sure parking brake will
hold tractor secure°
Attachment Clutch Lever
"Engaged" Position
Ignition Key
ed"
Th Position
Choke
Control Parking Brake
led"
Ciutch/ Position
Brake_
rshift
Lever
"Disengaged"
Position
STOPPING
Position
MOWER BLADES
o To stop mower blades,move attach-
ment clutch lever to "DISENGAGED"
position.
GROUND DRIVE -
o To stop ground drive, depress clutch/
brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position.
• Move gearshift lever to neutral (N)
position°
ENGINE -
° Move throttle control to slow position.
NOTE: Failure to move tllrottle 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.
IMPORTANT: Leaving the ignition switch
in any position other than "OFF" will
cause the battery to be discharged,
(dead)°
NOTE: Under certain conditions when
tractor 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 tractor on grass areas.
,_CAUTION: Always stop tractor
completely, as described above, before
leaving the operator's position; to empty
grass catcher, etco
TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL
Always operate engine at full throttle.
o Operating engine at less than full
throttle reduces the battery charging
rate.
° Full throttle offers the best bagging and
mower performance°
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD
The direction and speed of movernent is
controlled by the gearshift lever.
1. Start tractor with clutch/brake pedal
depressed and gearshift lever in
neutral (N) position..
2_ Move gearshift lever to desired
position.
3o 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.
TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT
The position of the attachment lift lever
determines the cutting height_
o Grasp lift lever.
• Press plunger with thumb and move
lever to desired position.
The cutting height range is approxi-
mately 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.
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