Craftsman 917.258920 Owner's Manual page 13

OPEFIATI
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The operation of anytractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result
_z-_ 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 (See Fig. 7)
Your tractor is equipped with an operatorpresence 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 intofull "BRAKE" position
and hold.
• Place parkingbrake lever in"ENGAGED" positionand
release pressurefrom clutch/brakepedalr Pedalshould
remain in BRAKE" position. Make sure parkingbrake
will hold tractor secure.
PUSH IN TO ATTACHMENT CLUTCH
THROTTLE "DISENGAGE" SWITCH PULL OUT TO
CONTROL LEVER _ "ENGAGE'I.
C =oL '\
CLUTC "H_'RAKE_"_
/I ,..--_._ _\ CONTROL
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"DRIVE" ADJUSTMENT BRAKE
POSITION KNOB "DISENGAGED" "ENGAGED"
POSITION POSITION
FIG. 7
STOPPING (See Fig. 7)
MOWER BLADES-
• To stop mower blades,move attachment clutch switch
to "DISENGAGED" position.
GROUND DRIVE -
° To stop ground drive, depress clutch/brake pedal into
full BRAKE position°.
• Move motion control lever to neutral (N) position.
IMPORTANT: THE MOTION CONTROL LEVER DOES
NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL (N) POSITION WHEN THE
CLUTCHIBRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
ENGINE -
° Move throttle control to slow position.
NOTE: Failure to move throttlecontrolto slow positionand
allowing engine to idle before stopping may cause engine
to "backfire'L
• 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 conditionswhen tractor is standing
idle withthe engine running, hot engine exhaust gases may
cause "browning" of grass. To eliminate this possibility,
always stop engine when stopping tractor on grass areas.
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I ,_ CAUTION: Always stop tractor com. I
i ,tlA, pletely, asdescribedabove, beforeleav- i
| _ mg the operator's position; to empty !
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........ c atcher, etc.
I
TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (SEE FIG, 7)
Always operate engine at full throttle.
° Operating engine at less than full throttle reduces the
battery charging rate.
, Full throttle offers the best mower performance.
TO USE CHOKE CONTROL (See Fig. 7)
Use choke controlwheneveryou 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
(See Fig. 7)
The direction and speedof movement iscontrolled by the
motioncontrol l ever,
, Start tractor with motion control lever in neutral (N)
position,
° Release parking brake and clutcWbrake pedal.
° Slowly move motion control lever to desired position,
TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT
(See Fig. 7)
The cuttingheight is controlledby turningthe height adjust-
ment knob in desired direction.
° Turn knob clockwise ((_) to raise cutting heighto
° Turn knob counterclockwise (P'_) to lower cutting
height,
The cutting height range is approximately 1_112"to 4-1/2",
The heights are measured from the ground to the blade tip
with the engine not running. These heights are approxi-
mate and may vary depending upon soil conditions, height
of grass and types of grass being mowed_
• 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
relatively high; the second to desired height.
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