Craftsman 917.271140 Owner's Manual page 14

• The averagelawn should be cut to
approximately2-1/2 inches during the
cool seasonand to over 3 inches during
hot months. For healthierand
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
height in operating position. Gauge
wheels then keep the deck in proper
position to help prevent scalping in most
terrain conditions.
• Adjust gauge wheels with tractor on a
flat level surface.
• Adjust mower to desired cutting height
(See =TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING
HEIGHT* in the Operation section of this
manual).
• With mower in desired height of cut
position, gauge wheels should be
assembled so they are slightly off the
ground. Install gauge wheel in appro-
priate hole with shoulder bolt, 3/8
washer, and 3/8-16 Iocknut and tighten
securely,
• Repeat for opposite side installing
gauge wheel in same adjustment hole.
3/8"16 f"_'__
Locknut_.
Q
Gauge
Wheel
Mounting
Bracket
3/8
Gauge Wheel Bolt
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,
• Select desired height of cut.
• Lower mower with attachment lift
control.
• Start mower blades by engaging
attachment clutch control.
• TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disen-
gage attachment clutch control.
_1_ CAUTION: Do not operate the mower
without either the entire grass catcher, on
mowers so equipped, or the deflector
shield place.
Attachment Clutch Lever "Engaged"
Position Lift
Lever High
Position
Postiion
Shield
TO OPERATE ON HILLS
_CAUTION: Do not drive up or down
hills with slopes greater than 15 ° and do
not drive across any slope.
• Choose the slowest speed before
starting up or down hills.
• Avoid stopping or changing speed on
hilts.
• If slowing is necessary, move throttle
control lever to slower position.
• If stopping is absolutely necessary,
push clutch/brake pedal quickly to
brake position 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 de-
pressed.
• 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. Free wheel control is located at
the rear draWbar of tractor.
• Raise attachment lift to highest position
with attachment lift control.
• 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 reengage transmission, reverse
above procedure.
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