How To Use Your Tractor; To Set Parking Brake; Stopping; To Use Throttle Control - Craftsman 3One 917.255440 Owner's Manual

OPERATION
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 wide vision safety mask-for over
the spectacles or standard safety glasses, available at Sears Retail or Catalog stores.
HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR
TO SET PARKING BRAKE (See Fig. 9)
= Depress clutch/brake pedal into ful! "BRAKE" position
and hold.
PIace parking brake lever in "ENGAGED" position and
release pressure from clutch/brake pedal. Pedal should
remain in "BRAKE" position. Make sure parking brake
will hoid tractor secure.
° Start tractor with clutch/brake pedal depressed and
gearshift lever in neutra! (N) position.
° Move gearshift and range shift levers to desired posi-
tion.
* Slowly release clutch/brake pedal to start movement.
IMPORTANT: BRING TRACTOR TO A COMPLETE STOP
BEFORE SHIFTING OR CHANGING GEARS. FAILURE
TO DO SO WILL SHORTEN THE USEFUL LIFE OF YOUR
TRANSAXLE.
STOPPING (See Fig. 9)
MOWER BLADES -
• Move attachment clutch lever to "DISENGAGED" po-
sition.
GROUND DRIVE -
- Depress clutch/brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position.
• ' Move gearshift lever to neutral (N) position.
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.
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.
, =
TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL
(See Fig. 9)
Always operate engine at ful! 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
gearshift lever.
THROTTL_CHOKE
ATTACHMENT CLUTCHLEVER
"ENGAGED"POSITION
"DISENGAGED"
)SITION
PARKING BRAKE
"BRAKE" 'ENGAGED" POSIThON
POSITION
GEARSHIFT
LEVER
12
"DISENGAGED"
PosmoN
CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL
"DRIVE" POSITION
HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT KNOB
FIG. 9
TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT
(See Fig. 9)
l-he cutting height is controlled by turning the height adjust-
ment knob in desired direction.
° Tdrn knob clockwise (_) to raise 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 cutto approximately2-1/2
inches during the coot season and to over 3 inches
during hot months. Fpr hea!thier 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.