Craftsman 917.256544 Operatic, How To Use Your Tractor, TO SET PARKING BRAKE See Fig

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HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR

TO SET PARKING BRAKE (See Fig. 9)

Your tractor isequipped 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 wil! shut off the engine.

oDepress dutch/brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position and hold.

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

ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER

NOTE: Under certain conditions when tractor is standing idle with the engine running, hot engine exhaust gases may cause "browning" of grass. To eliminate this possibility, always stop engine when stopping tractor on grass areas.

TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (See Fig. 9)

Always operate engine at full throttle,

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

"ENGAGED"POSITION	Full throttle offers the best bagging and mower perfor-
THROTTL_CHOKE	mance.
CONTROL
	TO MOVE	FORWARD AND BACKWARD

"BRAKE"GEARSHIFT

POSITION

"DISENGAGED" POSITION

CLUTCH/BRAKEHEIGHT ADJUSTMENT

PEDAL "DRIVE"KNOB

POSmON

FIG. 9

STOPPING (See Fig. 9)

MOWER BLADES -

"Move attachment clutch lever to "DISENGAGED" po- sition.

GROUND DRIVE -

Depress clutch/brake pedal intofull "BRAKE" position.

oMove gearshift lever to neutral (N) position.

ENGINE -

,Move throttle control to slow (,II,) 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,

-Never use choke to stop engine,

(See Fig. 9)

The direction and speed of movement is controlled by the gearshift lever.

-Start tractor with clutcb,/brake pedal depressed and gearshift lever in neutral (N) position.

-Move gearshift lever to desired posilion.

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

(See Fig. 9)

The cutting height is controlled byturning the height adjust- ment knob in desired direction.

Turn knob clockwise (f_) to raise cutting height.

•Turn knob counterclockwise (_#-_) 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.

. The average lawn should be cut to approximately 2-1/2 inches during the cool season and to over 3 inches during hot months. For healthier and better looking lawns, mow often and after moderate growth.

. For best cu_ing 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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