Craftsman 917.259172 manual HOW to USE Your Tractor, To Adjust Mower Cutting Height

OPERATmON

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

TO SET PARKING BRAKE (See Fig. 8)

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 will shut off the engine_

=Depress clutch/brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position and holdo

.	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
	"ENGAGED"	POSITION
	CHOKE	"\	"DISENGAGED"
	CONTROL		POSITION
			PARKING BRAKE
	THROTTLE		"ENGAGED"
			POSITION
			MOTION
	"BRAKE"		CONTROL
	POSITION		LEVER

pletely, as described above, before leav..

ing the operator's position; to empty

1" i CAUTION: Always stop tractor com- grass catcher, etc.

TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (See Fig. 8) Always operate engine at full throttle.

oOperating engine at less than fullthrottle reduces the batter/charging rate_

=Full throttle offers the best bagging and mower perfor- mance,,

TO USE CHOKE CONTROL (See Fig. 8)

Use choke controlwhenever you are starting a cold engine.

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 motion control lever=

oStart tractor with motion control lever in neutral (N)

position_

°Release parking brake and clutch/brake pedal°

°Slowly move motion control lever to desired position°

ISENGAGED"

CLUTCH/BRAKEHEtGH1POSITION

PEDAL"DRIVE"ADJUSTMENT

POSITIONKNOB

FIG. 8

STOPPING (See Fig. 8)

MOWER BLADES -

oMove attachment clutch lever'to "DISENGAGED" po* sition.

GROUND DRIVE -

oDepress clutch/brake pedal intofull "BRAKE" position. ° Move motion control lever'to neutra_ (N) position.

IMPORTANT: THE MOTION CONTROL LEVER DOES

NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL (N) POSITION WHEN THE

CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

ENGINE -

o Move throttle control to slow position_

NOTE= Failureto movethrottlecontrot tos!ow 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 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 ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT

(See Fig. 8)

The cutting height is controlled by turning the height adjust- ment knob in desired direction°

°Turn knob clockwise ((_) to raise cutting height.

°Turn knob counterclockwise (_#-'_)to lower cutting heighL

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 over3 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 heighL

TO OPERATE MOWER (See Fig. 9)

Your tractor isequipped with an operator presence sensing switch. Any attempt by the operator to leave the seat with the engine running and the attachment clutch engaged will shut off the engine°

°Select desired height of cut.

°Lower mower with attachment lift control.

=Start mower blades by engaging attachment clutch control.

°TO STOP MOWER BLADES- disengage attachment

12 clutch control