Sears 917.256543 manual Howto USE Your Tractor, To SET Parking Brake See Fig, Stopping See Fig

The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. A!ways 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. 9)

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.

. Depress clutch/broke pedal into full "BRAKE" position and hold.

oPlace parking brake lever in "ENGAGED" position and release pressure from clutch/brake pedal Pedalshould

remain in "BRAKE" position= Make sure parking brake wilt hold tractor secure_

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°

CAUTION: Always stop tractor com- pletely, as described above, before leav- ing the operator's position; to empty grass catcher, etc.

TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (See Fig. 9)

Always operate engine at full throttle.

= Operating engine	at tess than full throttle reduces the
battery charging	rate.

THRCTrLFJCHOKE

ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER

"ENGAGED" POSITION

= Full throttle offers the best bagging and mower perfor-

mance_

CONTROL"DISENGAGED"

PARKING DRAKE

"ENGAGED"

"BRAKE"GEARSHIFT

POSITION

"DISENGAGED"

POSITION

CLUTCHIBRAKEHEIGHT ADJUSTMENT

PEDAL "DRIVE"KNOB

POSITION

FIG. 9

STOPPING (See Fig. 9)

MOWER BLADES -

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

GROUND DRIVE -

=Depress clutch/brake pedal into full "BRAKE" position.,

°Move gearshift lever to neutral (N) position..

ENGINE -

oMove throttle control to slow (_) positionu

NOTE: FaiIure to move throttle control to slow (_) position and allowing engine to idle before stopping may cause engine to "bacldire"o

oTurn ignition key to "OFF" position and remove key.

Always remove key when leaving tractor to prevent unauthorized use,

o Never use choke to stop engine=

TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD

(See Fig, 9)

The direction and speed of movement is conbotled by the gearshift lever°

oStart tractor with clutch/brake pedal depressed and gearshift lever in neutral (N) position.

o Move gearshift lever to desired position.,

o 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 HEqGHT

(See Fig. 9)

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

o Turn knob clockwise ((-_4) to raise cutting height.

,,Turn knob counterclockwise (lf"_) to lower cutting height.,

The cutting height range is approximately 1-1/2" to4% 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 mowe&

oThe average lawn should be cut to approximately2-1/2 inches during the cool season and to over 3 inches during hot months° For heaIthier and better looking lawns, mow often and after moderate growth°

=For best cutting performance, grass ow, 6 inches in height should be mowed twice. Make the first cut relatively high; the second to desired height.