Craftsman 917.270912 Owner's Manual page 12

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 a wide vision safety mask over
spectacles, or standard safety glasses.
HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR
TO SET PARKING BRAKE
Your tractor is equipped with an operator
presence sensing switch. When engine
is running, any attempt by the operator to
leave the seat without first setting the
parking brake will shut off the engine.
• Depress clutch/brake pedal into full
"BRAKE" position and hold.
• 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.
Choke Control AttachmentClutchLever
•Engaged"Position
Throttle "Disengaged"
Control Poei_on
Parking Brake
Position
'Disengaged" Lever
Position "Brake"
Position
STOPPING
MOWER BLADES -
• To stop mower blades, move attach-
ment clutch lever to "DISENGAGED"
position.
GROUND DRIVE -
• To stop 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".
•Tum ignition kay 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.
_CAUTION: Always stop tractor
completely, as described above, before
leaving the operator's position; to empty
grass catcher, etc.
THROTTLE 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.
CHOKE CONTROL
Use 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.
• Start tractor with clutch/brake pedal
depressed and gearshift lever in
neutral (N) position.
• Move gearshift lever to desired
position.
• Slowly release clutch/brake pedal to
start movement.
IMPORTANT: Bdng tractor to a complete
stop before shifting or changing gears.
Failure to do so will shorten the useful life
of your transaxle.
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