Craftsman 917.2738 To Adjust Gauge Wheels, To Operate Mower, To Operate On Hills, To Transport

•The average lawn should be cut to ap- proximately 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 cutting performance, grass

over 6 inches in height should be mowed twice. Make the first cut rela-

tively high; the second to desired height.

TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS

Gauge wheels are properly adjusted

when they are slightly off the ground when mower is 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.

NOTE: Adjust gauge wheels with tractor on a flat level surface.

1.Adjust mower to desired cutting height (See "TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT" in this section of manual).

2.With mower in desired height of cut position, gauge wheels should be assembled so they are slightly off the ground. Install gauge wheel in ap- propriate hole with shoulder bolt, 3/8 washer, and 3/8-16 Iocknut and tighten securely.

3.Repeat for opposite side, installing gauge wheel in same adjustment hole.

Gauge

Wheel

Locknut

3/8 Washer

Gauge Wheel

TO OPERATE MOWER

Your tractor is equipped 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.You must remain fully and centrally positioned in the seat to prevent the engine from hesitating or cutting off when operating your equip- ment on rough, rolling terrain or hills.

1.Select desired height of cut.

2.Start mower blades by engaging at- tachment clutch control.

TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disengage attachment clutch control.

_CAUTION: Do not operate the mower without either the entire grass catcher, on mowers so equipped, or the deflector shield in place.

	Lift Lever
	High
	Position
Clutch Lever	Low
"Engaged"	Position
Position

"Disengaged" _ Position

	Shield
TO OPERATE	ON HILLS
_WARNING:	Do not drive up or down

hills with slopes greater than 15° and do not drive across any slope. Use the slope guide at the back of this manual.

•Choose the slowest speed before start- ing up or down hills.

•Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills.

•If slowing is necessary, move throttle control lever to slower position.

•If stopping is absolutely necessary, push clutch/brake pedal quickly to brake posi- tion and engage parking brake.

•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.

•To restart movement, slowly release parking brake and clutch/brake pedal.

•Slowly move motion control lever to slowest setting.

•Make all turns slowly.

TO TRANSPORT

When pushing or towing your tractor, be sure to disengage transmission by placing freewheel control in freewheeling position. Freewheel control is located at the rear drawbar of tractor.

1.Raise attachment lift to highest position with attachment lift control.

2.Pull freewheel control out and down into the slot and release so it is held in the disengaged position.

•Do not push or tow tractor at more than two (2) MPH.

•To re-engage transmission, reverse above procedure.

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