Craftsman 917.255561 - Manual (Page 11)

OPERATION
your tractor or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend wide vision safety
mask for over the spectacles or standard safety glasses, available at Sears Retail or
Catalog stores.
HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR
TO SET PARKING BRAKE (See Fig. 7)
a Depress clutch/brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position
and hold.
» Place parking brake lever in" ENGAG ED" position and
release pressure from cl utch/brake pedal Pedal should
remain in "Bf=LAKE" position . Make sure parking brake
will hold tractor secure.
MOWER BLADES ■
* Move attachment clutch lever to "DISENGAGED" po­
sition.
GROUND DRIVE -
» Depress clutch/brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position,
<• Move gearshift lever to "NEUTRAL" 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 "OFF" position and remove key.
Always remove key when leaving tractor to prevent
unauthorized use,
o 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 euminate this possibility,
always stop engine when stopping tractor on grass areas.
CAUTION: Always stop tractor com­
pletely, as described above, before leav­
ing the operator's position; to empty
grass catcher, etc.
TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (See Fig. 7)
Always operate engine at full throttle.
0 Operating engine at less than full throttle reduces the
battery charging rate.
« Full throttle offers the best bagging and mower per­
formance.
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD (See
Fig. 6)
The direction and speed of movement is controlled by the
gearshift lever
0 Start tractor with clutch/brake pedal depressed and
gearshift lever in “NEUTRAL" position.
» Move gearshift lever to desired position.
" Slowly release clutchAirake peda! to start movement,
IMPORTANT:
BRING TRACTOR TO A COMPLETE STOP
BEFORE SHIFTING OR CHANGING GEARS. FAILURE
TO DO SO v / ill shortsn the ushful liff of vour
TRANSAXLE-
TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT (See
Fig. 6) '
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 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 approximate
and may vary depending upon soil conditions, height of
grass and types of grass being mowed.
e The average lawn should be cut to approximately
2-1/2 inches during the cool season and overS 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.
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