Craftsman 917.28746 owner manual HOW to USE Your Tractor

~	.	.	The operation			of any tractor	can	result in foreign objects thrown into the
	MIEIY..-		eyes,	which	can result in severe			eye damage. Always	wear safety glasses
	,',>	".	or eye shields			while operating your. tractor or performing			any adjustments
		• '0	or repairs.		We recommend		standard safety glasses or a wide vIsion safety
			mask	worn over spectacles.

TO USE CHOKE CONTROL (N)

Use choke control whenever you are start- ing 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 ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT

The position of the attachment lift lever (A) determines the cutting height.

HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR

TO SET PARKING BRAKE '

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.

1.Depress clutch/brake pedal all the way down and hold.

2.Pull parking brake lever up and release pressure from clutch/brake pedal. Pedal should remain in brake ~ition. Make sure parking brake will hold trac- tor secure.

O~3'lI

STOPPING

MOWER BLADES -

•To stop mower blades, push attachment clutch switch in to disengaged position

(0).

GROUND DRIVE -

•To stop ground drive, depress brake pedal all the way down.

ENGINE-

• Move throttle control (D) between half and full speed (fast) position.

NOTE: Failure to move throttle control between half and full speed (fast) posi- tion, before stopping, may cause engine to "backfire".

•Turn ignition key (F) to "STOP" position and remove key. Always remove key when leaving tractor to prevent unau- thorized use.

•Never use choke (N) to stop engine. IMPORTANT: leaving the ignition switch in any position other than "STOP" will cause the battery to discharge and go dead.

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.

&AUTION: Always stop tractor com-

pletely, as described above, before leaving the operator's position.

TO MOVE FORWARD AND

BACKWARD

The direction and speed of movement is controlled by the forward and reverse drive

pedals.,

1.Start tractor and release parl<irig brake.

2.Slowly depress forward (I<) or reverse

(l)drive pedal to begin movement. Ground speed increases the further down the pedal is depressed .

TO USE CRUISE CONTROL

The cruise control feature can be used for forward travel only.

SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS

The cruise control should only be used while mowing or transporting on relatively smooth, straight surfaces. Other conditions such as trimming at slow speeds may cause the cruise control to disengage. Do not use the cruise control on slopes, rough terrian or while trimmimg or turning.

•With forward drive pedal depressed to desired speed, pull cruise control lever

(J)up and hold while lifting your foot off the pedal, then release the lever.

To disengage the cruise control, depress the brake pedal or tap on forward drive pedal.

•Put attachment lift lever in desired cut- ting height slot.

•Slide pointer tab (T) to desired cutting height as a reminder for next time you mow.

The cutting height range is approxi- mately 1" to 4". The heights are mea- sured 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 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.

TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS

Gauge wheels are properly adjusted when they are slightly off the ground when mower is at the desired cutting heightin operating position. Gauge wheels then keep the deck in proper position to help prevent scalping in most terrain conditions. NOTE: Adjust gauge wheels with tractbr on a flatlevel surface.

1. Adjust mower to desired cutting height

(See "TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTI NG

HEIGHT" in this section of manual).

2. With mower in desired height of cut

(I) Attachment	(0) Push-In to
Clutch Switch	"Disengaged"
Pull Out To "Engage"

TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (D) Always operate engine at full speed (fast).

•Operating engine at less than full speed (fast) reduces engine's operating ef- ficiency.

•Full speed (fast) offers the best mower performance.

position, gauge wheels should be

assembled so they are slightly off the

ground. Install gauge wheel in appro-

priate hole. Tighten securely.

3. Repeat for all, installing gauge wheel in

same adjustment hole.

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