Craftsman 917.272232 Owner's Manual page 15

The operation ofanytractor canresult inforeign o bjects thrown i nto the
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eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses I
or eye shields while operating your tractor or performing any adjustments
or repairs. We recommend a wide vision safety mask over spectacles, or
standard safety g asses.
HOWTO USEYOURTRACTOR
TO SET PARKING BRAKE
Yourtractor is equipped with an operator
presence sensing switch. When engine
is running, any attempt by the operator to
leave the seat withoutfirst setting the
parking brake will shut off the engine.
1. Depress clutch/Drake pedal into full
=BRAKE" position and hold.
2. 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.
Push-In to Attachment Clutch
Choke "Disengage .._ .___' Switch PullOut To
Th_C°ntr°l " " __'_
__ \Ignition Gear Shift
=Brake Key Lever
P ition o _
">a, og Brae
Clutch/Brake "Engaged" Position
Pedal=Ddve" =Disengaged"
Position Position
STOPPING
MOWER BLADES -
• To stop mower blades,move attach-
ment clutch switchto =DISENGAGED"
position.
GROUND DRIVE -
• To stop ground ddve, 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.
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.
ACAUTION: Always stop tractor com-
pletely, as descdbeiJ above, before
leaving the operator's position; to empty
grass catcher, etc.
TO USE THRO'I'rLE CONTROL
Always operate engine at full throttle.
• Operating engine at less than full
throttle reduces the battery charging
rate.
• Full throttle offers the best bagging and
mower performance.
TO USE CHOKE CONTROL
Usa 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 gearshift lever.
1. Start tractor with clutch/brake pedal
depressed and gearshift lever in
neutral (N) position.
2. Move gearshift lever to desired
position.
3. 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.
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.
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