Craftsman 917.258692 manual HOW USE Your Tractor, To SET Parking, To Adjust Mower Cutting Height

OPERATION

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		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 wlde v=ston safety
		mask	over	the spectacles	or standard	safety	glasses.
HOW	TO	USE YOUR		TRACTOR		TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (See Fig. 8)
TO SET PARKING			BRAKE (See Fig, 8)			Always operate		engine	at (uil throttle.
Your tractorls		equipped	with an operatorpresencesensing			•	OperalJng	engine	at less than full	lhrott[e reduces the
switch. When engine Is running, any attempt by the							battery charging rate
operator	to leave the seal without lirst setting				the parking	•	Full throttle	offers	the best mower	performance
brake wtfl shut off the engine						TO USE CHOKE CONTROL (See Fig, 8)

•Depress clutch/brake pedal Inlo fu]! "BRAKE" position

	and hold.			Use choke control whenever		you are starting	a cold engine
•	Place parking brake lever in "ENGAGED"		position and	Do	not use to start a warm	engine
	reteasepr_ssurefromctutchYorake	pedal	Pedalshould	•	To engage choke control, put_ knob out		Slowly push

remain	[n BRAKE	position. Make sure parking brake			knob	in to disengage
w_tlhold tractor secure.				TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD (See
	CHOKE	ATTACHMENTBLOTCHSWITCH
				Fig. 8)
THROTTLECONTROL		PULL OUTTO *'ENGAGE*'
				The direction and speed of movement is controlled by the
				motion conlrol lever.
				•	Start	tractor	with	molten control lever			In neulrai (N)
					position.
			DISENGAGE"	•	Release parking			brake and cJutchJbrake			pedal
			MOTION	• Slowly move motion control lever to desired position
				TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT
			CONTROL
			LEVER	(See Fig. 8)
			PAe_NGBRAKE
CLUTCHIBRAKE PEDAL		"_;"DISENGAGED"	"ENGAGED'_	The	culling	heighl	is controlled by turning			the height adjust-
"DRIVE" POSmON		POSITiON	POSITION	meni knob tn desired				direction.
		FIG,. 8		•	Turn knob clockwise				(,"_) to raise	cutting height.
				•	Turn	knob	counterclockwise {K"_)to				lower culling
STOPPING	(See Fig. 8)				height
				The	cutting height		range		is approximately	1-1/2" to 4" The

MOWER BLADES =

•Move attachment c_utch switch to "DISENGAGED"

position

GROUND DRIVE -

,,Depress clutch/brake pedal inlo 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 throttie control to slow position

NOTE: Failure to move throtlle 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

•Never use choke to stop engine

NOTE: Under certain condiltonswhen traclorls standing Idle with the engine running, hot e nglne exhaust gases may

heights are measured from the ground to Ihe blade tip wilh the engine not running These heights are approximate and may vary depending upon salt conditions, height of grass and types of grass being mowed

•The average fawn should be cur to approximately 2d/2 inches during the cool season and to over 3 inches

during hot months, For hea!thler and better looking lawns, mow olten and after moderate growlh..

•For best cutting performance, grass over 6 inci_es in height should be mowed twice. Make the first cut relatively htgh; the second to desired height

TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS (See Fig, 9)

Gauge wheels are properly adtusted when they are slightly off the ground when mower ts 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

•Adjust gauge wheelswilh tractor on a tlattevef surface

cause "browning" of grass To eliminate this possibility, always stop engine when stopping traelor on grass areas

ptetely, as describedabove, before leav-

ing the operator's position; to empty

I_AUTION: Always stop tractor corn- l grass catcher, etc.

•Ad ust mower to desired cutting hei_ht (See "TO AD- JUST MOWER CUTT NG HE GHT' in the Operation section of this manuel)

•With mower in desired height of cut position, gauge wheels should be assembled so they are slighliy off the

ground, Inslall gauge wheel in appropriate hole with shoufder boll, 318 washer, and 3lB-16 !ocknut and

tighten securely.

•Repeat far opposite side installing gauge wheel in

13 same adjustment hole