How To Use Your Tractor; To Set Parking Brake; To Use Throttle Control; To Use Choke Control - Craftsman 917.256571 Owner's Manual

OP RATION
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, 8)
Your tractor is equipped with an operator presence sensing
switch. When engine _s 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 lever in "ENGAGED" position and
release p ressu re from clutchforake peda!. Pedal should
remain in "BRAKE" position. Make sure parking brake
will hold tractor secure.
TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (See Fig. 8)
Always operate engine at full throttle.
- Operating engine at less than full throttle reduces the
9attery charging rate.
° Fuf! throttle offers the best bagging and mower perfor-
mance.
TO USE CHOKE CONTROL (See Fig. 8)
Use choke control whenever you are starting a cold engine.
Do not use to start a warm engine.
- To engage choke contro[, oull knob out. Slowly push
knob n to disengage.
'DISENGAGED"
POSITION
CLUTCH/BRAKE
PEDAL "DRIVE" HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
POSITION KNOB
FIG. 8
STOPPING (See Fig, 8)
MOWER BLADES -
" Move attachment clutch lever to "DISENGAGED" po-
sition.
GROUND DRIVE -
• Depress clutch/brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position.
• Move motion control lever to neutral (N) oosition:
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 (,_h) position.
NOTE: Failure to move throttle control to slow (,_1_.)
position and allowing eng ne 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
idle With the engine running, hot engine exhaust gases may
cause "browning" of grass. To eliminate this oossibility,
always stop engine when stopping tractor on grass areas.
CA"=-'-"=--'_TION: Always stop tractor corn- ]
pletely, as described above, before leav-
ing the operator s position; to empty /
_ grass catcher, etc.
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TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD (See
Fig. 8)
The direction and speed of movement is controlled by the
motion control lever.
- 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 CUTTING HEIGHT
(See Fig. 8)
The cutting height is controlled byturning the height adjust-
ment knob in desired direction.
Turn knob clockwise (('-_) to ratse cutting height.
* Turn knob counterclockwise (_)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 should 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.
TO OPERATE MOWER (See Fig. 9)
Your tractor is equipped with an operator presence sens-
ng switch. Any attempt by the operator to leave the seat
with the eng ne running and the attachment clutch engaged
will shut off the engine.
• Select desired height of cut.
o Lower mower with attachment lift control.
- Start mower blades by engaging attachment clutch
control.
• TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disengage attachment
clutch control.
CAUTION: Do not operate the mower
without either the entire grass catcher,
on mowers so equipped, or the dis-
charge guard in place.