To Adjust Gauge Wheels; To Operate Mower; To Operate On Hills; To Transport - Craftsman 917.271080 Owner's Manual

• The average lawn should be cut to
approximately 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 rela-
tively 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 condi-
tions.
• Adjust gauge wheels with tractor on a
fiat level surface.
• Adjust mower to desired cutting height
(See =TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING
HEIGHT" in the Operation section of _
this manual).
• With mower in desired height of cut po-
sition, gauge wheels should be assem-
bled so they are slightly off the ground.
Install gauge wheel in appropriate hole
with shoulder belt, 3/8 washer, and 3/8-
16 Iocknut and tighten securely.
• Repeat for opposite side installing
gauge wheel in same adjustment hole.
Gauge Wheel
Mounting
Bracket
3/8-16
3/8 Washer Shoulder
Gauge Wheel Bolt
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 attachement lift con-
trol.
• Start mower blades by engaging attach-
ment clutch control.
• TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disen-
gage attachment clutch control.
ACAUTION: Do not operate the mower
without either the entire grass catcher, on
mowers so equipped, Or the discharge
guard in place.
Attachment _ ._ Attachment Lift
ClutchLever_ tb_ -everHighPosition
=Engaged" _,f-],,_.
Position
/ "/111I +;'
Pos,,o
"Disengaged"/ _'T= _._ F,/_
Guard
_ OPERATE ON HILLS
CAUTION: Do not drive up or down
hillswith slopes greater than 15° and do
not ddve 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 posi-
tion and engage parking brake.
• Move motion control lever to neutral (N)
position.
IMPORTANT: The motion control lever
does not retum to neutral (N) position
when the clutch/brake pedal is depressed.
• To restart movement, slowly release
parking brake and clutch/brake pedal.
• Slowly move motion control lever to
slowest Setting.
• Make all tums slowly.
TO TRANSPORT
When pushing or towing your tractor, be
sure to disengage transmission by placing
freewheel control in freewheeling posi-
tion. Freewheel control is located at the
rear drawbar of tractor.
• 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.
• Do not push or tow tractor at more than
two (2) MPH.
• To reengage transmission, reverse
above procedure.
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