Craftsman 917.270711 - Manual (Page 14)

The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the
eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glass­
es or eye shields while operating your tractor or performing any adjust­
ments or repairs. We recommend a wide vision safety mask over specta­
cles, or standard safety glasses.
HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR
Your tractor Is quipped 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.
TO SET PARKING BRAKE
• Ogress clutch/brake pedal into full
'BRAKE” position and hold.
• Place parking brake lever in -
“ENGAGED” position and release pres­
sure 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 lever
Clutch/Brake
Ped^J|Dnye" ^
Position \
■Disengaged"
Position
Parking Brake
"Engaged"
Position
. - ."Brake" Gearshift
■Disengaged* Adjustment position Lever
- Position Knob
STOPPING
MOWER BLADES -
• To stop mower blades, move attach­
ment clutch lever to “DISENGAGED”
^ position.
GROUND DRIVE -
• Ta stop ground drive, depress
clutchAsrake pedal into full “BRAKE”
position. ■-
• Move gearshift lever to neutral (N) posi­
tion.
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
-leSOffig tractor to prevent unauthorized
• 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 run­
ning, hot engine exhaust gases may
cause “browning” of grass. To eliminate
this possibility, 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 empty grass
catcher, etc.
THROTTLE CONTROL
Always operate engine at full throttle.
• Operating engine at less than full throt­
tle 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 iever to desired posi­
tion.
• 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 knob ciockwise (C) to raise cutting
height. '
• Turn knob counterclockwise (O) to
lower cutting height
The cutting height range is approximately
1-1/2" to 4”. The heights are measured
from the ground to the blade tip with the
engine not running. These heights are ap­
proximate and may vary depending upon
soil conditions, height of grass and types
of grass being mowed.
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