Craftsman 917.259561 owner manual HOW to USE Your Tractor, See Fig, To Move Forward and Backward

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 adjustments or repairs. We recommend a wide vision safety mask over the spectacles or standard safety glasses.

HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR

		pletely, as described above, before leav-
TO SET PARKING BRAKE (See Fig. 8)	I_	ing the operator's positlon; to empty
		CAUTION: Always stop tractor com-
		grass catcher, etc.

Your tractor is equipped 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.

•Depress clutch/brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position and hold.

Place parking brake lever in "ENGAGED" position and release pressure from clutch/brake pedal Pedalshould remain in "BRAKE" position. Make sure parking brake will hold tractor secure.

TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (See Fig. 8)

Always operate engine at full throttle.

•Operating engine at less than full throttle reduces the battery charging rate.

•Full throttle offers the best bagging and mower perfor- mance.

TO USE CHOKE CONTROL (See Fig. 8)

THROTTLE

ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER

Use choke controlwhenever you are starting a cold engine.

CONTROL "ENGAGED" POSITION

CHOKEPOSITION CONTROL

_AR_NG BRAKE

"BRAKE"

t, / / "ENGAGED"

POSITION

• / POSITION

"DISENGAGED"

GEARSHIFT

LEVER

Do not use to start a warm engine.

•To engage choke control, pull knob out. Slowly push knob in to disengage.

TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD

(See Fig. 8)

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.

?<

CLUTCII/BRAKE PEDAL "DRIVE" POSITION

•Move gearshift and range shift levers to desired posi- tion.

"O,SENGAGED"POS,T,ON• Slowly release clutch/brake pedal to start movement.

HEIGHTADJUSTMENTKNOB	IMPORTANT:	BRING TRACTOR TO A COMPLETE STOP
	BEFORE SHIFTING OR CHANGING GEARS. FAILURE
FIG. 8	TO DO SOWILL SHORTEN THE USEFUL LiFE OF YOUR
	TRANSAXLE.

STOPPING (See Fig. 8)

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 (N) 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".

TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT

(See Fig. 8)

The cutting height iscontrolled by turning the height adjust- ment knob in desired direction.

•Turn knob clockwise (F_() to raise cutting height.

•Turn knob counterclockwise (IP_)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 approximate and may vary depending upon soil conditions, height of grass and types of grass being mowed.

• Turn ignition key to "OFF" position and remove key.				The average lawn should be cut to approximately 2-1/2
	Always remove key when leaving tractor to prevent
				inches during the cool season and to over 3 inches
	unauthorized use.
				during hot months. For healthier and better looking
	Never use choke to stop engine.
•				lawns, mow often and after moderate				growth.
NOTE:		Under certain conditions when tractor is standing	•	For best cutting performance, grass				over	6 inches	in
idle with the engine running, hot engine exhaust gases may				height should	be	mowed	twice. Make		the first	cut
cause		"browning" of grass. To eliminate this possibility,		relatively high;	the	second	to desired	height.
always		stop engine when stopping tractor on grass areas.	12