Craftsman 247.28933 - Manual (Page 17)

OPERATION
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3. Remove your foot from the brake pedal.
4. Release pressure from the parking brake lever.
After completing step 3, the brake pedal should remain In the down
position. It it doesn’t, the parking brake is not engaged. Repeat steps
1-4 to engage the parking brake.
To disengage the parking brake, lightly press the brake pedal.
AWARNING
Never leave a running machine unattended. Always disengage PTO,
set parking brake, stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended
starting.
ENGAGING THE PTO
Engaging the PTO transfers power to the cutting deck or other
(separately available) attachments. To engage the PTO:
1. Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit) position.
2. Pull the PTO/Blade Engage knob outward into the engaged (ON)
position.
NOTE: Always operate the tractor with the throttle lever in the FAST
(rabbit) position for the most efficient use of the cutting deck or other
(separately available) PTO driven attachments.
MOWING
AWARNING
To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, keep bystand­
ers, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine
while it is in operation. Stop machine it anyone enters the area. * •
2. Shut engine off and remove the key.
Doing so will minimize the possibility of having your lawn “browned” by
hot exhaust from your tractor’s running engine.
MOVING THE TRACTOR MANUALLY
If tor any reason the tractor will not drive or you wish to move the
tractor, engage the two transmission release levers to manually move
the tractor short distances.
IMPORTANT: Never tow or drag the tractor with the rear wheels on the
ground. Even with the release levers engaged. Doing so will damage
the transmissions.
To engage a release lever:
1
.
Pull the lever rearward so that the elbow passes through the
larger/rounded part of the keyhole slot.
With the elbow of the lever outside (rearward) of the hitch plate,
push the lever inward in the small part of the keyhole slot so that
lever’s elbow is locked against the back of the hitch plate.
Repeat to engage the other release lever to allow the tractor to be
manually moved. See Figure 6.
This tractor is equipped with one of Craftsman’s high quality cutting
decks. The following information will be helpful when using the cutting
deck with your tractor.
• Do not mow at high ground speed, especially it a mulch kit or
grass collector is installed.
• For best results it is recommended that the first two laps be cut
with the discharge thrown towards the center. After the first two
laps, reverse the direction to throw the discharge to the outside
for the balance of cutting. This will give a better appearance to the
lawn.
• Do not cut the grass too short. Short grass invites weed growth
and yellows quickly in dry weather.
• Mowing should always be done with the engine at full throttle.
• Under heavier conditions it may be necessary to go back over the
cut area a second time to get a clean cut.
• Do not attempt to mow heavy brush and weeds and extremely tall
grass. Your tractor is designed to mow lawns, not clear brush.
• Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades when worn. Refer
to the “Service & Maintenance” section of this manual for proper
blade sharpening instructions.
IMPORTANT: When stopping the tractor for any reason while on a
grass surface, always:
1. Engage the parking brake.
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4. To move the tractor manually, the brake must be disengaged by
releasing the parking brake and depressing the forward or reverse
drive pedal. Continue to hold the drive pedal while pushing.
5. To disengage, move the lever to align its elbow with the larger/
rounded part of the keyhole slot and release the lever back
through the hitch plate.
NOTE: The transmission will NOT engage when the release lever is
pulled out. Return the lever to its normal position prior to operating the
tractor.
HEADLIGHTS
The tractor headlights are turned on whenever the ignition switch is
turned to either of the run positions.