To Adjust Mower Cutting Height; To Adjust Gauge Wheels; To Operate Mower; To Operate On Hills - Craftsman 917.273240 Owner's Manual

TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT
The position of the attachment lift lever
determines the cutting height.
• Grasp lift lever.
• Press plunger with thumb and move
lever to desired position.
The cutting height range is approxi-
mately 1-1/2 to 4". The heights are mea-
sured 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 approxi-
mately 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 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 proper position to help
prevent scalping in most terrain conditions.
NOTE: Be sure tractor is on a flat level
surface.
1. Lower mower and adjust mower to
desired cutting height.
2. Remove retainer spring and clevis pin
which secure each gauge wheel bar.
3. Lower gauge wheels to ground. Raise
gauge wheels slightly to align holes
in bracket and gauge wheel bar and
insert clevis pin. Gauge wheels should
be slightly off the ground.
4. Replace retainer spring into clevis pin.
5. Be sure all gauge wheels are in the
same setting.
IMPORTANT: Be sure to readjust gauge
wheels if you change the cutting height
of the mower deck.
Retainer Spring _'_,J_
Clevis Pin ]_, _.
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. You must
remain fully and centrally positioned in the
seat to prevent the engine from hesitating
or cutting off when operating your equip-
ment on rough, rolling terrain or hills.
1. Select desired height of cut.
2. Start mower blades by engaging at-
tachment clutch control.
TO STOP MOWER BLADES -
disengage attachment clutch control.
,J_CAUTION: Do not operate the mower
without either the entire grass catcher,
on mowers so equipped, or the deflector
shield in place.
Attachment Clutch
Switch Pull Out To
Attachment Lift Lever
High Position
Deflector
Shield
Push In To
"Disengage" _
TO OPERATE ON HILLS
_WARNING: Do not drive up or down
hills with slopes greater than 15 ° and do
not drive across any slope. Use the slope
guide 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 stopping is absolutely necessary, push
brake pedal quickly to brake position
and engage parking brake.
• To restart movement, slowly release
parking brake and brake pedal.
• Slowly depress appropriate drive pedal
to slowest setting.
• Make all turns slowly.
TO TRANSPORT
When pushing or towing your tractor, be
sure to disengage transmission by placing
freewheel control in freewheeling position.
Freewheel control is located at the rear
drawbar of tractor.
1. Raise attachment lift to highest position
with attachment lift control.
2. Pull freewheel control out and down
into the slot and release so it is held in
the disengaged position.
• Do not push or tow tractor at more than
two (2) MPH.
• To re-engage transmission, reverse
above procedure.
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