How To Use Your Tractor; Stopping; To Move Forward And Backward; To Adjust Mower Cutting Height - Craftsman 917.254850 Owner's Manual

The operation of any tractor can result in fo reign 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)
Your unit is equipped with an operator presence sensing
switch,. When engine isrunning, any attempt by the
operator to leave the seat without first setting the parking
brake will shut of the engine,.
o Depress clutch/brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position
and holdo
Place parking brake lever in "ENGAGED" position and
release pressurefrom clutch!brake pedal° Pedal should
remain in "BRAKE" position. Make sure parking brake
will hold vehicle secure.
STOPPING (See Fig. 9)
MOWER BLADES -
* Move attachment clutch lever to "DISENGAGED" po-
sition.
GROUND DRIVE-
• Depress clutch/brake pedal into fuII"BRAKE" position.
° Move gearshift lever to "NEUTRAL" positiOn.
ENGINE -
o 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 "bacldire"_
, Turn ignition key to "OFF" position and remove key.
Always remove key when leaving vehicle to prevent
unauthorized use°
o Neveruse choke to stop engine.
NOTE: Undercertain conditions when unit is standing idle
with the engine running, hot engine exhaust gasses may
cause "browning" of grass,, To eliminate this possibility,
always stop engine when stopping unit on grass areas.
CAUTION: Always stop unit completely,
as described above, before leaving the
operator's position; to empty grass
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 perfor-
mance_
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD
(See Fig. 9)
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 TOA COMPLETE STOP
BEFORE SHIFTING OR CHANGING GEARS. FAILURE
TO DO SO WILL SHORTEN THE USEFUL LIFE OF YOUR
TRANSAXLE
THROTTLE/CHOKE
CONTROL
ATTACHMENT
CLUTCH LEVER
"ENGAGED"
POSITION
RKING BRAKE
'ENGAGED" POSITION
GEARSHIFT
LEVER
"DISENGAGE!
POSITION
HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT KNOB
CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL
"DRIVE" POSITION
FIG. 9
t'3
TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTHNG HEIGHT
(See Fig. 9)
The cutting height is controlled by turning the height adjust-
ment knob in desired direction.
o Turn knob clockwise (f1) to raise cutting height.
, Turn knob counterclockwise (K"_) to lower cutting
heighL
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_1/2
inches during the cool season and to over 3 inches
dudng hot month& For healthier and better looking
lawns, mow often and after moderate growth.
• For best cutting performance, grass over 6 inches in
height_should be njowed !wice.L: Matje ,the first cut