Driving On Slopes; Engaging The Blades; Mulching; Using The Deck Lift Lever - Craftsman 247.288852 Operator's Manual

DRiViNG ON
SLOPES
Referto the SLOPEGAUGEin the SafetyInstructions sectionof the
manualto help determineslopeswhereyou mayoperatethis tractor
safely.
Do notmow on inclines with a slope inexcessof 15degrees(a rise
of approximately 2-1/2feet every 10feet). Thetractorcouldoverturn
[and causeserous njury.
• Mow up and downslopes,NEVERacross.
Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirectionon slopes.
Watchfor holes, ruts,bumps,rocks,or otherhiddenobjects.
Uneventerraincouldoverturnthe machine.Tallgrasscan hide
obstacles.
Avoidturns whendrivingon a slope. If a turn mustbe made,turn
downthe slope.Turningup a slopegreatlyincreases t he chance
of a roll over.
Avoidstoppingwhendrivingup a slope. If it isnecessaryto stop
whiledrivingup a slope,start up smoothlyand carefullyto reduce
the possibilityof flippingthetractoroverbackward.
ENGAGING THE BLADES
Engagingthe PTO(Blade Engage)transferspowerto thecuttingdeck
or other (separately available)attachments.Toengagethe blades,
proceedas follows:
1. Movethe throttle/chokecontrolleverto the FAST(rabbit)position.
2. Graspthe PTO(BladeEngage)leverand pivotit all the way
forwardintothe engaged(ON)position.
3. Keepthe throttleleverinthe FAST(rabbit)positionfor the most
efficientuseof the cuttingdeck or other(separatelyavailable)
attachments.
NOTE: The enginewill automatically shut off ifthe PTOisengaged
with the shiftleverin positionfor reversetravelwith the ignition key in
the ONposition.
MULCHING
A mulchkit is availableas an attachment.Mulchingis a processof
recirculatinggrassclippingsrepeatedlybeneaththe cuttingdeck. The
ultra-fineclippingsare thenforced back intothe lawnwherethey act as
a naturalfertilizer.
A mulchkit can be purchasedthroughthe retaillocationinwhich you
purchasedthis tractor.For more information, s imply contact Sears
at 1-800-4-MY-HOME®.
USING THE DECK LIFT LEVER
To raisethe cuttingdeck,movethe deck lift leverto the left,then place
itin the notchbest suitedfor yourapplication.Referto SettingThe
CuttingHeightearlier inthis section.
MOWING
To helpavoidbladecontact or a thrownobject injury,keepbystand-
ers, helpers,childrenand petsat least 75 feet from the machine
whileit is in operation.Stopmachineif anyoneentersthe area.
The followinginformationwill be helpfulwhenusingthe cuttingdeck
with yourtractor:
Planyourmowingpatternto avoiddischargeof materialstoward
roads,sidewalks,bystanders and the like. Also,avoiddischarging
materialagainsta wall or obstructionwhich may causedischarged
materialto ricochetbacktowardthe operator.
• Donot mowat highground speed,especiallyif a mulchkit or
grass collectoris installed.
• Forbest resultsit isrecommended that the first two laps be cut
with the dischargethrowntowardsthe center.After the firsttwo
laps, reversethedirectionto throwthe dischargeto theoutside
for the balanceof cutting.This will givea better appearanceto the
lawn.
• Donot cut the grass tooshort. Shortgrassinvites weedgrowth
and yellowsquicklyin dry weather.
• Mowingshouldalwaysbe done with the engineat full throttle.
• Underheavierconditionsit maybe necessaryto go backoverthe
cut areaa secondtime to get a cleancut.
• Do NOTattemptto mowheavy brushand weedsand extremely
tall grass.Yourtractorisdesignedto mow lawns,NOTclear
brush.
• Keepthe bladessharpand replacethe bladeswhenworn. Refer
to CuttingBladesinthe Service sectionof this manualfor proper
blade sharpeninginstructions.
HEADLIGHTS
• The lampsare ON wheneverthetractor'sengineis running.
• The lampsturn OFFwhenthe ignition key ismovedto the STOP
position.
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