Craftsman 944.609150 Owner's Manual page 14

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OPERATION
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The operation of any tractor can result if=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 (See Fig.14)
Your tractor isequipped 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. Your tractor is also equiped
with a system that will not allow mower to operate if the
bagger or optional rear discharge deflector is not installed
properly.
• Depress clutch/brake pedal into full =BRAKE" position
and hold.
• Place perking brake lever in "ENGAG ED" position and
release pressure from clutch/brake pedal. Pedalshoukf
remain in "BRAKE" position. Make sure parking brake
will hold tractor secure.
THROTrLE/
FIG.14
STOPPING (See Fig, 14)
MOWER BLADES -
• To stop mower blades,move attachment clutch switch
to "DISENGAGED" position,
GROUND DRIVE -
• To stop ground drive, depress clutch/brake pedal into
full =BRAKE" position..
• Move motion control lever to neutral (N) position.
IMPORTANT: THE MOTION CONTROL LEVER DOES
NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL (N) POSITION WHEN THE
CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
ENGINE -
• Move throttle control to slow position.
NOTE: Failure to move throttle control to 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.
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.
LOU_SE CAUTION: Always stop tractor com-
pletely, as described above, before leav-
ing the operator's position; to empty
grass catcher, etc.
THROTTLE CONTROL (See Fig. 14)
Always operate engine at full throttle.
• Operating engine at lessthan full throttle reduces the
battery charging rate.
• Full throttle offers the best bagging and mower perfor-
mance.
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD (See
Fig. 14)
The direction and speed of movementis controlled by the
motioncontrollever.
• Start tractor with motion control lever in neutral (N)
position.
• Release parking brake and clutch/brake pedal.
• Slowly move motion control lever to desired position.
TO ADJUST MOWER cu'rrlNG HEIGHT
(See Fig. 14)
The cutting height is controlled byturning the height adjust-
ment knob in desired direction.
,. Turn knob clockwise (F,i) to raise cutting height.
• Turn knob counterclockwise (P-_) to lower cutting
height.
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.
• The average lawn shoukf be cut to approximately 2-1/2
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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