Craftsman 917.270660 - Manual (Page 13)

The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the
eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glass­
es or eye shields while operating your tractor or performing any adjust­
ments or repairs. We recommend a wide vision safety mask over spec­
tacles, or standard safety glasses.
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.
• Depress clutch/brake pedal into full
“BRAKE” position and hold.
* Place parking brake lever in “EN­
GAGED” position and release pressure
from clutch/brake pedal. Pedal should
remain in “BRAKE” position. Make sure
parking brake wilt hold tractor secure.
Attachment Clutch Lever
"Engaged” Position Throttle/Choke
Control
"Brake”
Position
“Disengaged"
Position
Parking Brake
"Engaged”
Position ^
Motion.
Control Lever
Clutch/Brake
Pedal “Drive" “Disengaged"
Position
Position
STOPPING
MOWER BLADES -
• To stop mower blades, move attach­
ment clutch Lever 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 clutch/brake pedal is de­
pressed.
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”. 13
• Turn ignition key to “OFF’ position and re­
move key. Always remove key when leav­
ing 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 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.
A CAUTION:
Always stop tractor com­
pletely, as described above, before leav­
ing the operator's position, to empty grass
catcher, etc.
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 bagging and
mower performance.
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD
The direction and speed of movement is
controlled by the motion control lever.
• Start tractor with motion control lever in
neutral (N) position.
• Release parking brake and clutch/
brake pedal.
• Slowly move motion control lever to de­
sired position.
TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT
The position of the attachment lift lever
determines the cutting height.
• Grasp lift lever.
•
Press plunger with thumb and move le­
ver to desired position.
The cutting height range is approximately
1-1/2 to 4". The heights are measured
from the ground to the blade tip with the
engine not running. These heights are ap­
proximate and may vary depending upon
soil conditions, height of grass and types
of grass being mowed.
• The average lawn should be cut to ap­
proximately 2-1/2 inches during the
cool season and to over 3 inches dur-