Craftsman 917.258532 Owner's Manual page 12

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 the spectacles or standard safety glasses.
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HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR
TO SET PARKING BRAKE (See Fig. 9)
You rtractor isequipped with an operatorpresence 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
= Depress clutch/brake pedal into full 'BRAKE" position
and hold
• Place parking brake tever in ENGAGED' position and
release pressu re from clutch/brake pedal Pedalshould
remain in "BRAKE position Make sure parking brake
will hold tractor secure
ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER
"ENGAGED" POSITION
THROT]'LE/
CHOKE "DISENGAGED"
CONTROL POSITION
PARKING BRAKE
"BRAKE .... ENGAGED"
POSITION POSITION
GEARSHIFT
LEVER
CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL
"DRIVE" POSITION
"DISENGAGED"
POSITION
HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT KNOB
FIG. 9
STOPPING (See Fig. 9)
MOWER BLADES -
° Move attachment clutch lever to "DISENGAGED" po
sition
GROUND DRIVE
• Depress clutch/brake pedal intofull "BRAKE' position
- Move motion control lever to neutral (N) position
IMPORTANT: THE MOTION CONTROL LEVER DOES
NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL (N) POSITION WHEN THE
CLUTCHIBRAKE PEDAL iS DEPRESSED
ENGINE
• Move throttle control to slow position
NOTE: Failure to move throttle control to slow positionand
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 tractor is standing
idlewith 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 corn- |
pletely, as described above, before leav-
I
ing 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
motion controllever,.
° Start tractor with motion control lever in neutral (N)
position
° Release parking brake and clutch/brake pedal
° SIowly move motion control lever to desired position
TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT
(See Fig. 9)
The cutting height iscontrolled by turning the height adjust _
ment knob in desired direction
= Turn knob clockwise (f-N) to raise cutting height
° Turn knob counterclockwise (_-_)to lower cutting
height
The cutting height range is approximately t 1/2" to 4'L The
heights are measured from the ground to the blade tip with
the engine not running These heights are approxtmate
and may vary depending upon soil conditions, height of
grass and types of grass being mowed
• The average lawn should be cut to approxirnateEy 2-1/2
inches during the cool season and to over 3 inches
during hot months For heatthier and better looking
lawns mow often and after moderate growth
• For best cutting performance, grass over6 inches in
height should be mowed twice Make the first cut
relatively high; the second to desired height
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