Engaging the blades, Using the deck lift lever, Mowing – Craftsman 247.28905 User Manual

Page 17: Awarning, Moving the tractor manually, Operation, Headlights

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OPERATION

• Avoid stopping when driving up a slope. If it is necessary to stop

while driving up a slope, start up smoothly and carefully to reduce

the possibility of flipping the tractor over backward.

ENGAGING THE BLADES

Engaging the PTO (Blade Engage) transfers power to the cutting deck

or other (separately available) attachments. To engage the blades,

proceed as follows:

1.

Move the throttle/choke control lever to the FAST (rabbit) position.

2.

Grasp the PTO (Blade Engage) lever and pivot it all the way

forward into the engaged (ON) position.

3.

Keep the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) position tor the most

efficient use of the cutting deck or other (separately available)

attachments.

IMPORTANT: In the Reverse Caution Mode the engine will auto­

matically shut off it the PTO is engaged with the speed control lever

in position tor reverse travel with the ignition key in the NORMAL

MOWING position.

USING THE DECK LIFT LEVER

To raise the cutting deck, move the deck lift lever to the left, then place

it in the notch best suited for your application. Refer to Setting The

Cutting Height earlier in this section.

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.

The following information will be helpful when using the cutting deck

with your tractor:

AWARNING

Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of materials toward

roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging

material against a wall or obstruction which may cause discharged

material to ricochet back toward the operator.

MOVING THE TRACTOR MANUALLY

Your tractor’s transmission is equipped with a hydrostatic relief valve

for occasions when it is necessary to move the tractor manually.

Activating this valve forces the fluid in the transmission to bypass its

normal route, allowing the rear tires to “freewheel.” To engage the

hydrostatic relief valve, proceed as follows:

1.

Locate the hydrostatic bypass rod in the rear of the tractor. See

Fig. 10.

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 Cutting Blades in the Service and Maintenance section of this

manual for proper blade sharpening instructions.

Figure 10

2. Pull the hydrostatic bypass rod outward, then down and to the left,

to lock it in place.

NOTE:

The transmission will NOT engage when the hydrostatic

bypass rod is pulled out. Return the rod to its normal position prior to

operating the tractor.

IMPORTANT:

Never attempt to move the tractor manually without

first engaging the hydrostatic relief valve. Doing so will result in serious

damage to the tractor’s transmission.

HEADLIGHTS

The lamps are ON whenever the tractor’s engine is running.

The lamps turn OFF when the ignition key is moved to the STOP

position.

17

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