Craftsman 917.258692 Lawn Mower User Manual


 
OPERATION
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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
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your tractor or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend a wlde v=ston safety
mask over the spectacles or standard safety glasses.
HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (See Fig. 8)
TO SET PARKING BRAKE (See Fig, 8) Always operate engine at(uilthrottle.
Your tractorls equipped with an operatorpresencesensing OperalJng engine at less than full lhrott[e reduces the
battery charging rate
switch. When engine Is running, any attempt by the
operator to leave the seal without lirst setting the parking Full throttle offers the best mower performance
brake wtfl shut off the engine TO USE CHOKE CONTROL (See Fig, 8)
Depress clutch/brake pedal Inlo fu]! "BRAKE" position
and hold. Use choke control whenever you are starting acold engine
Place parking brake lever in "ENGAGED" position and Do not use to start a warm engine
reteasepr_ssurefromctutchYorake pedal Pedalshould To engage choke control, put_knob out Slowly push
remain [n BRAKE position. Make sure parking brake knob in to disengage
w_tlhold tractor secure.
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD (See
CHOKE ATTACHMENTBLOTCHSWITCH
THROTTLECONTROL PULLOUTTO*'ENGAGE*' Fig. 8)
CLUTCHIBRAKE PEDAL "_;"DISENGAGED"
"DRIVE" POSmON POSITiON
FIG,.8
STOPPING (See Fig. 8)
MOWER BLADES =
Move attachment c_utch switch to "DISENGAGED"
position
GROUND DRIVE -
The direction and speed of movement is controlled by the
motion conlrol lever.
Start tractor with molten control lever In neulrai (N)
position.
Release parking brake and cJutchJbrake pedal
DISENGAGE"
Slowly move motion control lever to desired position
MOTION
CONTROL TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT
LEVER
PAe_NGBRAKE (See Fig. 8)
"ENGAGED'_ The culling heighl is controlled by turning the height adjust-
POSITION meni knob tn desired direction.
Turn knob clockwise (,"_) to raise cutting height.
Turn knob counterclockwise {K"_)to lower culling
height
The cutting height range isapproximately 1-1/2" to 4" The
heights are measured from the ground to Ihe blade tip wilh
the engine not running These heights are approximate
and may vary depending upon salt conditions, height of
grass and types of grass being mowed
,, Depress clutch/brake pedal inlo full "BRAKE" position.
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
ENGINE -
Move throttie control to slow position
NOTE: Failure to move throtlle control toslow 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
The average fawn should be curto approximately 2d/2
inches during the cool season and to over 3 inches
during hot months, For hea!thler and better looking
lawns, mow olten and after moderate growlh..
For best cutting performance, grass over 6 inci_es in
height should be mowed twice. Make the first cut
relatively htgh; the second to desired height
TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS (See Fig, 9)
Gauge wheels are properly adtusted when they are slightly
off the ground when mower ts 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: Under certain condiltonswhen traclorls standing
Idle with the engine running, hot englne exhaust gases may
cause "browning" of grass To eliminate this possibility,
always stop engine when stopping traelor on grass areas
I_ AUTION: Always stop tractor corn- l
ptetely,asdescribedabove, before leav-
ing the operator's position; to empty
grass catcher, etc.
Adjust gauge wheelswilh tractor on a tlattevef surface
Ad ust mower to desired cutting hei_ht (See "TO AD-
JUST MOWER CUTT NG HE GHT' in the Operation
section of this manuel)
With mower in desired height of cut position, gauge
wheels should be assembled so they are slighliy off the
ground, Inslall gauge wheel in appropriate hole with
shoufder boll, 318 washer, and 3lB-16 !ocknut and
tighten securely.
Repeat far opposite side installing gauge wheel in
13 same adjustment hole