Craftsman 917.271130 - Manual (Page 12)

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 a wide vision safety mask
over spectacles 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 pres­
sure from clutch/brake pedal. Pedal
should remain in “BRAKE" position.
Make sure parking brake will hold
tractor secure, attachment Clutch Lever
“Engaged” Position
“Disengaged”
Position
Throttle
Control
Clutch/
Brake PedalfX'
Parking
Brake
"Engaged”
Position
-ut ' Gearshift
“Disengagetf Height Lever
Position Adjustment Knob
STOPPING
MOWER BLADES -
• To stop mower blades, move attach­
ment dutch lever to “DISENGAGED"
position.
GROUND DRIVE -
• To stop ground drive, depress clutch/
brake pedal into full “BRAKE” position.
• Move gearshift lever to neutral (N)
position.
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 “OFP 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 "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
completely, as described above, before
leaving 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 gearshift lever.
• Start tractor with clutch/brake pedal
depressed and gearshift lever in
neutral (N) position.
• Move gearshift lever to desired
position.
• Slowly release clutch/brake pedal to
start movement.
IMPORTANT: Bring tractor to a complete
stop before shifting or changing gears.
Failure to do so will shorten the useful
life of your transaxle.
TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING
HEIGHT
The cutting height is controlled by
turning the height adjustment knob in
desired direction.
• Turn taiob clockwise (/^) to raise
cutting height.
• Turn knob counterclockwise (1^) to
lower cutting height.
The cutting height range is approxi­
mately 1-1/2" to 4-1/2*. The heights are
measured from ttie ground to the blade
tip with the engine not running. These
heights are approximate and may vary
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