How To Use Your Tractor; To Set Parking Brake; To Use Throttle Control; To Use Choke Control - Craftsman 3One 917.254860 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. 8)
• Depress clutch/brake pedal into fuli "BRAKE" position
and hotd.
Place parking brake lever in "ENGAGED" position and
release pressure from clutch/brake pedat. Pedal should
remain in "BRAKE" position. Make sure parking brake
will hotd vehicle secure.
STOPPING (See Fig. 8)
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" 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 vehicle to prevent
unauthorized use.
Never use choke to stop engine.
NOTE: Undercertain conditions when unit is standing idle
with the engine running, hot engine exhaust gases may
cause "browning _' of grass. To eliminate this possibi;ity,
always stop engine when stopping unit on grass areas.
TO USE THROTTLE
CONTROL (See Fig. 8)
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 per-
formance.
TO USE CHOKE CONTROL (See Fig; 8)
Usechokecontroiwheneveryou are starting acotd engine.
Do not use to start a warm engine.
o To engage choke control, pull knob out, Slowly push
knob in to disengage.
12
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD
(See Fig. 8)
The direction and speed of movement is controlled by the
gearshift lever.
• Start tractor with clutch!brake pedal depressed and
gearshift lever in "NEUTRAL" position.
, Move gearshift lever tO desired position.
Slowly release clutch/brake pedal to start movement.
IMPORTANT: BRING TRACTOR TO A COMPLETE STOP
BEFORESHIFTtNG OR CHANGING GEARS. FAILURE
TO DO SO WILL SHORTEN THE USEFUL LIFE OF YOUR
TRANSAXLE,
THROTTLE
CONTROL
ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER
"ENGAGED" POSITION
IGNITION KEY
NGAGED"
CHOKE POSITION
PARKING BRAKE
_NGAGED"
POSITION
FIG. 8
TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT
(See Fig. 8)
The cutting height is controlled byturning the height adjust-
ment knob in desired directiori.
Turn knob clockwise to raise cutting height,
Turn knob counterclockwise to lower cutting height.
Thecutting height range is approximately 1-t/2to 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 belng mowed.
, The average lawn should be cut to approximately 2-t/
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.