Craftsman 917.258692 - Manual (Page 13)

OPERATION
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 odjostmenls or repairs. We recommend a wide vision safety
mask over the spectacles or standard safety glasses.
HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR
TO SET PARKING BRAKE (See Fig. 8)
Youf tractor Is equipped with an opsrato r presence sensing
switch. When engine Is running, any attempt by the
operator to leave the seat without lirst satling the parking
brake wiil shut off the engine
• Depress clutchArake pedal Into full "BRAKE" position
and hold.
• PtacB parking brake lever in "ENGAGED” position and
release pressure Irofn ciutch/braks pedal, Pedal should
remain in "BRAKE"position, Maks sure parking brake
will hold iractor secure.
CHOKE
THflOTTΠCONTROL
CONTROU
HEIGHT
ADJUSTPEMT
KNOB
ATTACHMENT CLUTCH SWITCH
PULL OUT TO "ENGAGE"
CLUTCHfflRAKE PEDAL
"DRIVE" POSITION
PARKING B rake
'■"DISENOAOED” "ENGAGEB"
POSrnOH POSITION
FIG, 8
STOPPING (See Fig. 8)
MOWER BLADES -
• Move atlachment clutch switch to “DISENGAGED”
position
GROUND DRIVE -
•
Depress clulch/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 DEPRESSED
ENGINE -
• Move throttle control to stow position -
NOTE; Failure to move throllle control to slow position and
allowing engine to Idle before stopping may cause engine
to "backfire",
• Turn Ignition key to "OFF" position and remove key.
Always remove key when leaving tractor to prevent
unauthorlzBct use,
• Never use choke to stop engine
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 Iractor on grass areas
A
CAUTION: Always stop tractor com­
pletely, as described above, before teav-
Ing the operator's position; to amply
grass catoher, ate.
TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (See Fig, 8)
Always operate engine at full throttle.
•
Operating engine at less than full fhrotlfe reduces the
battery cBarging rate
• Full throille offers the best mower performance,
TO USE CHOKE CONTROL (See Fig. 8)
Use choke eonfrol whsneveryou are starting a cold engine
Oo not use to start a warm engine
• To engage choSo control, puilknob out Slowly push
knob in to disengage
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD (See
Ffg. 8)
The direction and speed of movement is controlled by the
mofion conlrol lever.
•
Start tractor with motion control lever In neutral (N)
position,
• Release parking brake and clutcb/brake pedal
• Slowly move motion control ¡ever to desired position
TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT
(SeB F
iq . 8)
The cutting height is controlled by turning the height adjust­
ment knob in desired direction,
•
Turn knob clockwise to raise cutting height
• Turn knob Gotmterolockwiss {K~>) to lower cutting
height.
The cutifng height range is approximately 1-1/2" to 4“ The
heights are measured from the ground to the blade lip with
the engine not running These heights are approximate
and may vary depending upon soil Gondllions, height of
grass and types of grass being mowed,
•
The average lawn should be cut to approximately 2-1/2
inches during the cool season and to over 3 inches
during hot months. For heailtiier and belter looking
lawns, mow oUen and after moderate growth
• For best cutting performance, grass over e inches in
height should be mowed twice. Make the first cut
relatively high; the second to desired height
TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS (See Fig. 8)
Gauge wheels are properly adjusied when they are slightly
off the ground when mower is at the desired culting height
In operating position. Gauge wheels then keep the deck in
proper position to help prevent scalping in most terrain
conditions
• Adjust gauge wheels wlih tractor on a Hat level surface
• Adjust mower to desired cutting height [See 'TO AD­
JUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT in the Operation
section of this manual),
• With mower in desired height of cut position, gauge
wheels should be assembled so they are slighily off the
ground. Install gauge wheel in appropriate hole with
shoulder boil, 3/3 washer, and 3/B-16 locknut and
tighten securely,
• Repeat for opposite side installing gauge wheel in
13 sama adjustment hole