Craftsman 917.286140 Operator's Manual page 13

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 standard safety glasses or a wide vision safety
mask worn over spectacles.
HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR
TO SET PARKING BRAKE
Your tractor is equipped 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.
1. Depress brake pedal (B) all the way
down and hold.
2. Pull parking brake lever (C) up and
hold, release pressure from brake
pedal (B), then release parking brake
lever. Pedal should remain in brake
position. Make sure parking brake will
hold tractor secure.
STOPPING
ENGINE -
Move throttle control (D) between half
and full speed (fast) position,
NOTE: Failure to move throttle control
between half and full speed (fast) posi-
tion, before stopping, may cause engine to
"backfire",
Turn ignition key (F) to "STOP" position
and remove key, Always remove key
when leaving tractor to prevent unau-
thorized use,
Never use choke (N) to stop engine,
IMPORTANT: Leaving the ignition switch in
any position other than "STOP" will cause
the battery to discharge and go dead,
NOTE: Under certain conditions when
tractor is standing idle with the engine run-
ning, hot engine exhaust gases may cause
"browning" of grass, To eliminate this pos-
sibility, always stop engine when stopping
tractor on grass areas,
_ICAUTION: Always stop tractor com-
pletely, as described above, before leaving
the operator's position,
MOWER BLADES -
• To stop mower blades, move at-
tachment clutch lever in to disengaged
position ( I'_ ).
(_1_) Attachment (r_) Disengaged
Clutch Position
Engage Position
GROUND DRIVE -
• To stop ground drive, depress brake
pedal all the way down.
TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL
Always operate engine at full speed (fast).
Operating engine at less than full speed
(fast) reduces engine's operating ef-
ficiency.
Full speed (fast) offers the best mower
performance.
TO MOVE FORWARD AND
BACKWARD
The direction and speed of movement
is controlled by the forward and reverse
drive pedals.
1. Start tractor and release parking brake.
2. Slowly depress forward (K) or reverse
(L) drive pedal to begin movement.
Ground speed increases the further
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down the pedal is depressed.