Craftsman 917.273823 - 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 glasses
or eye shields while operating your tractor or performing any adjustments
or repairs. We recommend standard safety glasses or a wide vision safety
mask worn over spectacles.
HOWTO 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.
1. Depress clutch/brake pedal all the way
down and hold.
2, Pull parking brake lever up and release
pressure from clutch/brake pedal.
Pedal should remain in brake position.
Make sure parking brake will hold trac­
tor secure.
Attachment Clutch Lever
‘‘Engaged” Position
Throttle/
Choke
Control
Clutch/
Brake
Pedal
ignition Key
“Disengaged”
Position
“Disengaged”
Position
STOPPING
Motion Control
Lever -
Parking Brake
Engaged
Position
MOWER BLADES -
* To stop mower blades, move attachment
clutch lever to “DISENGAGED” position.
GROUND DRIVE -
* To stop ground drive, depress clutch/
brake pedal all the way down.
* Move motion control lever to neutral (N)
position.
IMPORTANT: The motion control lever
does not return to neutral (N) position
when the clutchAjrake pedal is depressed.
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”.
* Turn ignition key to “STOP” 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 "STOP" will
cause the battery to discharge and go
dead.
NOTE: Under certain conditions when
tractor is standing idle with the engine run­
ning, hot engine exhaust gases may cause
“browning” of grass. To eliminate this pos­
sibility, always stop engine when stopping
tractor on grass areas.
A c AUTION: Always stop tractor com­
pletely, as described above, before leaving
the operator's position.
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.
1. Start tractor with motion control lever in
neutral (N) position.
2. Release parking brake.
3. Slowly move motion control lever to
desired 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
lever to desired position.
The cutting height range is approxi­
mately 1-1/2 to 4". The heights are mea­
sured from the ground to the blade tip with
the engine not running. These heights
are approximate 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 during hot
months. For healthier and better look­
ing lawns, mow often and after moder­
ate growth.
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