Craftsman 917.270824 Owner's Manual page 14

o For best cuttingperformance, g rass
over 6 inches in height should be
mowedtwice. Makethe first cut rela-
tively high;the secondto desired
height
TO ADJUST
GAUGE WHEELS
Gauge wheels are properly adjusted
when they are slightly off the ground
when mower is at the desired cutting
height in operating position. Gauge
wheels then keep the deck in p.roper po-
sition to help prevent scalping _n most ter-
rain condition&
o Adjust gauge wheels with tractor on a
flat level surface.
- Adjust mower to desired cutting height
(See "TO ADJUST MOWER CU-FFING
HEIGHT" in the Operation section of
this manual).
o With mower in desired height of cut po-
sition, gauge wheels should be as-
sembled so they are slightly off the
ground Install gauge wheel in appro-
priate hole with shoulder bolt, 3/8
washer, and 3/8-16 Iocknut and tighten
securely.
• Repeat for opposite side installing
gauge wheel irr same adjustment hole
Gauge Wheel
Mounting Bracket
Locknut J. \ _ _ Gauge
_ Wheel
3/8 Washer__- BoltSh°ulder
TO OPERATE MOWER
Your tractor is equipped with an operator
presence sensing switch Any attempt by
the operator to leave the seat with the
engine running and the attachment clutch
engaged will shut off the engine_
• Select desired height of cut.
Lower mower with attachment lift
control
Start mower blades by engaging
attachment clutch control..
o TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disen-
gage attachment clutch control
CAUTION: Do not operate the mower
without either the entire grass catcher, on
mowers so equippedl or the discharge
guard in place
TO OPERATE ON HILLS
CAUTION: Do not drive up or down
hills with slopes greater than 15 ° and de
not drive across any slope. Use the slope
guide provided at the back of this manual
• Choose the slowest speed before start-
ing up or down hills
= Avoid stopping or changing speed on
hills
° If slowing is necessary, move throttle
control lever to slower position.
, If stopping is absolutely necessary,
push clutch/brake pedal quickly to
brake position and engage parking
brake.
= 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,
o To restart movement, slowly release
parking brake and clutch/brake pedal
. Slowly move motion control lever to
slowest setting.
o Make all turns slowly
Attachment _ Aff_rhm_n t
Clutch Lever_ [r"-'1 Li_l_e'v'er ""
".Eng, a ged" _'_'_'f_i "_ High Position
P'OSI[IOR ,';
,sengage _. -.",,J_7 Position
Position -"_-.,_ I/J.,'_
___DiuSc_dar g e
TOWING CARTS AND OTHER
A'f3"ACHNIENTS
Tow only the attachments that are recom-
mended by and comply with specifications
of the manufacturer of your tractor. Use
common sense when towing. Too heavy of
a load, while on a slope, is dangerous
Tires can lose traction with the ground and
cause you to lose control of your tractor:
TO TRANSPORT
When pushing or towing your tractor, be
sure to disengage transmission by placing
freewheel contrel in freewheeling position
Freewheel control is located at the rear
drawbar of tractoL
o Raise attachment lift to highest position
with attachment lift control.
• Pull freewheel control out and down into
the slot and release so it is held in the
disengaged position.
o De not push or tow tractor at more than
two (2) MPH..
, To reengage transmission, reverse
above procedure.
NOTE: To protect hood from damage when
transporting your tractor on a truck or a
trailer, be sure hood is closed and secured
to tractor_ Use an appropriate means of ty-
ing hood to tractor (rope, cord etc.).