Craftsman 917.274040 - Manual (Page 14)

® The average lawn should be cut to ap­
proximately 2-1/2 inches during the coo!
season and to over 3 inches during hot
months. For healthier and better looking
lawns, mow often and after moderate
growth.
® For best cutting performance, grass over
6 inches in height should be mowed
twice. Make the first cut relatively high;
the second to desired height.
TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS
Gauge wheels are properly adjusted
when they are slightly off the ground when
mower is at the desired cutting height in
operating position. Gauge wheels then
keep the deck in proper position to help
prevent scalping in most terrain conditions.
NOTE: Be sure tractor is on a flat level
surface.
1. Lower mower and adjust mower to de­
sired cutting height{See “TO ADJUST
MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT” in this
section of manual).
2. Remove retainer spring and clevis pin
which secure each gauge wheel bar.
3. Lower gauge wheels to ground. Raise
gauge wheels slightly to align holes
in bracket and gauge wheel bar and
insert clevis pin. Gauge wheels should
be slightly off the ground.
4. Replace retainer spring into clevis pin.
5. Be sure ail gauge wheels are in the
same setting.
IMPORTANT: Be sure to readjust gauge
wheels if you change the cutting height
of the mower deck.
Retainer
Spring
2. Start mower blades by engaging at­
tachment clutch control.
TO STOP MOWER BLADES -
disengage attachment clutch control.
ACAUTION: Do not operate the mower
without either the entire grass catcher,
on mowers so equipped, or the deflector
shield in place.
Attachment Clutch Switch ^ Attachemnt
Pull Out To "Engage" _ / Lift Lever High
Position
Low
Position
Deflector
Shield Push in to
"Disengage
Clevis
Pin
TO OPERATE MOWER
Your tractor is equipped with an operator
presence sensing switch. Any attempt
by the operator to leave the seat with the
engine running and the attachment clutch
engaged will shut off the engine. You must
remain fully and centrally positioned in the
seat to prevent the engine from hesitating
or cutting off when operating your equip­
ment on rough, rolling terrain or hills.
1. Select desired height of cut.
^
TO OPERATE ON HILLS
^WARNING: Do not drive up or down
hills with slopes greater than 15'^ and do
not drive across any slope. Use the slope
guide at the back of this manual.
® Choose the slowest speed before start­
ing up or down hills.
® Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills.
• If slowing is necessary, move throttle
control lever to slower position.
0
If stopping is absolutely necessary, push
dutch/brake pedal quickly to brake posi­
tion and engage parking brake.
® Move motion control lever to neutral (N)
position.
IMPORTANT: The motion control lever
does not return to neutral (N) position
when the dutch/brake pedal is depressed.
® To restart movement, slowly release
parking brake and dutch/brake pedal,
® Slowly move motion control lever to
slowest setting.
• Make all turns slowly.
TOTRANSPORT
When pushing or towing your tractor, be
sure to disengage transmission by placing
freewheel control in freewheeling position.
Freewheel control is located at the rear
drawbar of tractor.
1. Raise attachment lift to highest posi­
tion with attachment lift control,
2. Pull freewheel control out and down
into the slot and release so it is held in
the disengaged position,
® Do not push or tow tractor at more than
two (2) MPH.
® To re-engage transmission, reverse
4
above procedure.