Craftsman 917.276211 Owner's Manual page 14

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 adiustments
or repairs. We recommend standard safety glasses or a wide v_sion safety
mask worn over spectacles.
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.
t, Depress clutch/brake pedal all the way
down and hold.
2. Pull parking brake lever up and release
pressure from clutch!brake pedal.
Pedal should remain in brake position.
Make sure parking brake wilt hold trac-
tor secure.
Push-In to
"Disengaged" Attachment Clutch
Choke "-. Switch Pull Out To
Cobol _"'__"E ngag e" _
Throttle _-_,_._/,/"&,'_,._ f" ._-",,,
If ' /
Brake
Clutch/ "Engaged"
Position
Brake Pedal Position
"Drive" Gear Shift
Position Height Adjustment Lever
Knob
STOPPING
MOWER BLADES -
• To stop mower blades, push attachment
clutch switch in to disengaged position.
GROUND DRIVE-
° To stop ground drive, depress clutch/
brake pedal all the way down.
• Move gearshift lever to neutral (N) posi-
tion.
ENGINE -
• Move throttle control between half and
full speed (fast) position.
NOTE: Failure to move throttle control
between half and full speed (fast) posi-
tion, before stopping, may cause engine to
"backfire".
° Turn ignition key to "STOP" 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 "STOP" will
cause the battery to discharge and go
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.
_CAUTtON, Always stop tractor com-
pletely, as described above, before leaving
the operator's position.
TO USE 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 mower perfor-
mance,
TO USE CHOKE CONTROL
Use choke control whenever you are start-
ing 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 de-
pressed and gearshift lever in neutral
(N) position.
2. Move gearshift and range shift levers
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 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.
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