Craftsman 247.25000 Operator's Manual page 18

Safety Interlock Switches
The safety interlock system is designed for safe operation of the trac-
tor. If this system should ever malfunction, do not operate the tractor.
Immediately contact 1-800-4-MY-HOME to have the system serviced.
• The safety interlock system prevents the engine from starting
unless the parking brake is engaged and the PTO (Blade Engage)
lever is in the disengaged (OFF) position.
• The safety interlock system will automatically shut off the engine if
the operator leaves the seat before engaging the parking brake.
• The safety interlock system will automatically shut off the engine
if the operator leaves the tractor's seat with the PTO (Blade
Engage) lever engaged, regardless of whether the parking brake
is engaged.
• The engine will automatically shut off if the PTO (Blade Engage)
lever is moved into the engaged (ON) position with the shift lever
in Reverse.
WARNING
Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning.
This system was designed for your safety and protection.
IGNITION SWITCH
The ignition switch is activated to start the engine. Insert key into the
ignition switch and turn clockwise to the START position. Release the
key into the ON position once engine has fired. See Fig. 19.
To stop the engine, turn the ignition key counterclockwise to the OFF
position. See Fig. 19.
WARNING
NEVER leave a running machine unattended. Always disengage
PTO, move shift lever into neutral position, set parking brake, stop
engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting.
IMPORTANT: Prior to operating the tractor, refer to both Safety
Interlock Switches and Starting The Engine in the Operation section of
this manual for further detailed instructions.
Off
OPERATION
On
Start
Figure 19
Avoid Serious Injury or Death
• Know location and function of all controls.
• Remove objects which could be thrown by the blades.
• Go up and down slopes, not across.
• Use extra caution on slopes. Do not mow slopes greater than 12
degrees. Avoid sudden turns. Use low speed.
• Do not operate machine where it could tip or slip.
• If machine stops going uphill, stop blades and back down
slowly.
• Before leaving operator's position, disengage blades, engage
parking brake, shut off and remove key.
• Be sure blades and engine are stopped before placing hands or
feet near blades.
• Keep safety devices (guards, shields, switches, etc.) in place
and working.
• Keep bystanders away.
• Allow machine to cool before fueling or storing.
• Keep machine free of debris.
Read Operator's Manual
ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE
To engage the parking brake:
1. Fully depress the brake pedal and hold it down with your foot.
2. Move the parking brake lever down into the parking brake
position.
3. Release the brake pedal to allow the parking brake to engage.
To release the parking brake:
1. Depress the brake pedal and move the speed control lever out of
the parking brake position.
SETTING THE CUTTING HEIGHT
1. Select the height position of the cutting deck by placing the deck
lift lever in any of the different cutting height notches on the right
side of the fender.
Keep hands and feet away from the discharge opening of the cutting
deck.
STARTING THE ENGINE
Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning.
This system was designed for your safety and protection.
NOTE: Refer to the Assembly section of this manual for gasoline and
oil fill-up instructions.
1. Insert the tractor key into the ignition switch.
2. Place the PTO (Blade Engage) lever in the disengaged (OFF)
position.
3. Engage the tractor's parking brake.
4. Activate the choke control.
18
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING