Craftsman 917.270742 Owner's Manual page 14

o The averagelawn should be cut to
approximately2-1/2 inches during the
cool season and to over 3 inches
during hot months..For healthierand
better lookinglawns,mow often and
after moderategrowth°
o Forbest cuttingperformance,grass
over 6 inches in height shouldbe
mowedtwice. Makethe first cut
relativelyhigh;the secondto desired
height°
TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS
Gaugewheels are properlyadjusted
when they are slightly off the ground
when moweris at the desiredcutting
height in operatingposition°Gauge
wheels then keepthe deck in proper
positionto help preventscalpingin most
terrain conditions_
o Adjustgaugewheels with tractoron a
flat level surface,.
• Adjust mowerto desiredcutting height
(See"TOADJUSTMOWERCUTTING
HEIGHT"in the Operationsectionof
this manual)°
• With mowerin desiredheightof cut
position,gauge wheels should be
assembledso they are slightlyoff the
ground. Install gaugewheel in
appropriatehole with shoulderbolt, 3/
8 washer,and 3/8-16locknutand
tightensecurely..
. Repeat for oppositeside installing
gaugewheel in same adjustmenthole.
GaugeWhee[ _ _,_
Mouotiog:4¢ ("
Bracket "----_'--- \ _','__
Gauge Wheel f_k'_'_"_I_ Bolt
TO OPERATE MOWER
Your tractor is equipped with an operator
presence sensing switch. Any attempt by
the operator to leave the seat with the
engine running and the attachment
clutch engaged will shut off the engine_
• Select desired height of cut°
• Start mower blades by engaging
attachment clutch control.
° TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disen-
gage attachment clutch control.
_CAUTION: Do not operate the mower
without either the entire grass catcher, on
mowers so equipped, or the deflector
shield in place..
t4
Attachment Attachemnt
Clutch Lift Lever
High
"Engaged" ;" Position
Position
"Disengaged_..
Position
Low
Position
Deflector
TO OPERATE ON HILLS
,_CAUTION: Do not drive up or down
hills with slopes greater than 15 ° and do
not drive across any slope,
• Choose the slowest speed before
starting up or down hills°
o Avoid stopping or changing speed on
hills.
° If slowing is necessary, move throttle
control lever to slower position.
° If stopping is absolutely necessary,
push clutch/brake pedal quickly to
brake position and engage parking
brake,
o 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 de-
pressed.
• To restart movement, slowly release
parking brake and clutch/brake pedal.
• Slowly move motion control lever to
slowest setting,
° Make all turns slowly.,
TOTRANSPORT
When pushing or towing your tractor, be
sure to disengage transmission by
placing freewheel control in freewheel-
ing position. Free wheel control is
located at the rear drawbar of tractor.
• Raise attachment lift to highest
position with attachment lift control.
o Pull freewheel control out and down
into the slot and release so it is held in
the disengaged position.
° Do not push or tow tractor at more
than two (2) MPH.
o To reengage transmission, reverse
above procedure.
NOTE: To protect hood from damage
when transporting your tractor on a truck
or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and
secured to tractor_. Use an appropriate
means of tying hood to tractor (rope,
cord, etco),