Craftsman 917.27404 To Stop Mower Blades, To Adjust Gauge Wheels, To Operate Mower, 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 relatively high; the second to desired height.

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

TO STOP MOWER BLADES -

disengage attachment clutch control.

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

Attachment Clutch Switch

Pull Out To "Engage"

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: Be sure tractor is on a flat level surface.

1.Lower mower and adjust mower to de-

sired cutting height(See "TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT" in this

section of manual).

2.Remove retainer spring and clevis pin which secure each gauge wheel bar.

3.Lower gauge wheels to ground. Raise gauge wheels slightly to align holes in bracket and gauge wheel bar and insert clevis pin. Gauge wheels should be slightly off the ground.

4.Replace retainer spring into clevis pin.

5.Be sure all gauge wheels are in the same setting.

mMPORTANT: Be sure to readjust gauge wheels if you change the cutting height of the mower deck.

Retainer

Spring

Clevis

Pin

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.

Deflector

Push in toShield "Disengage"

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 posi- tion 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

14 above procedure.