Craftsman 917.270824 Owner's Manual page 13

_The operation Of-_ny tr%c-tor ca--n"re-_sult in foreign objects thrown ini0 the ........
eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses R
or eye shields while operating your tractor or performing any adjustments H
or repairs We recommend a wide vision safety mask over spectacles, or
.................... standard safetY glasse s, , .........
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
Depress clutch/brake pedal into full
"BRAKE" position and hold
Place parking brake lever in "EN-
GAGED" position and release pressure
from clutch/brake pedal Pedal should
remain in "BRAKE" position, Make sure
parking brake will hold tractor secure,
Throttle Attachment Clutch Lever
Choke Control "Engaged" Position
Control \,"_-----_ /
\_(. JL._,7/%.,N_ "Disengaged"
Height _ _,._X._"--._ _) Position
Adju stmer_-,,>X_----------_ /
Knob _ -I -'x-'_:_=_=_7:_:_ / Parking
_ ', _) _ t'_\_')_ Brake
"Brake" _', _'_y_ i_Eonsigtagn ed''
Clutch/Brake Pedal "Disengaged" Control
"Drive" Position Position Lever
STOPPING
MOWER BLADES -
o To stop mower blades, move attach-
ment clutch lever to "DISENGAGED"
position_
GROUND DRIVE -
• To stop ground drive, depress clutch/
brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position
° 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.
ENGINE -
, 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
"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
IMPORTANT: Leaving the ignition switch
in any position other than OFF" will cause
the battery to be discharged, (dead).
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 possibility, always stop engine when
stopping tractor on grass areas.
_}_CAUTION: Always stop tractor com-
pletely, as described above, before leav-
ing the operator's position; to empty grass
catcher, etc.
THROTTLE CONTROL
Always operate engine at full throttle
o Operating engine at less than full
throttle reduces the battery charging
rate.
o Full throttle offers the best bagging and
mower performance
CHOKE CONTROL
Use choke control whenever you are
starting a cold engine. Do not use to start
a warm engine.
- To engage choke control, pull knob out
Slowly push knob in to disengage
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD
The direction and speed of movement is
controlled by the motion control lever
o Start tractor with motion control lever in
neutral (N) position
o Release parking brake and clutch/
brake pedal
o Slowly move motion control lever to de-
sired position.
TO ADJUST MOWER CUFFING HEIGHT
The cutting height is controlled by turning
the height adjustment knob in desired di-
rection,
o Turn knob clockwise (f-_) to raise cut-
ting height,
o Turn knob counterclockwise (P-'_)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.
o The average lawn should be cut to ap-
proximately 2-1/2 inches during the
cool season and to over 3 inches dur-
ing hot months For healthier and better
looking lawns, mow often and after
moderate growth
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