Craftsman 247.25000 Operator's Manual page 20

ENGAGING THE BLADES
Engaging the PTO (Blade Engage) transfers power to the cutting deck.
To engage the blades, proceed as follows:
1. Move the throttle/choke control lever to the FAST (rabbit) position.
2. Grasp the PTO (Blade Engage) lever and pivot it all the way
forward into the engaged (ON) position.
3. Keep the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) position for the most
efficient use of the cutting deck.
NOTE: 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.
MULCHING
A mulch kit is available as an attachment. Mulching is a process of
recirculating grass clippings repeatedly beneath the cutting deck. The
ultra-fine clippings are then forced back into the lawn where they act
as a natural fertilizer. Contact the nearest Parts & Repair Service
Center to purchase a mulch kit for this unit.
To locate the nearest Parts & Repair Service Center, contact
1-800-4-MY-HOME®.
USING THE DECK LIFT LEVER
To raise the cutting deck, move the deck lift lever to the left, then place
it in the notch best suited for your application. Refer to Setting The
Cutting Height earlier in this section.
OPERATION
MOWING
To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, keep bystand-
ers, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine
while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
The following information will be helpful when using the cutting deck
with your tractor:
Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of materials toward
roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging
material against a wall or obstruction which may cause discharged
material to ricochet back toward the operator.
• Do not mow at high ground speed, especially if a mulch kit or
grass collector is installed.
• For best results it is recommended that the first two laps be cut
with the discharge thrown towards the center. After the first two
laps, reverse the direction to throw the discharge to the outside
for the balance of cutting. This will give a better appearance to the
lawn.
• Do not cut the grass too short. Short grass invites weed growth
and yellows quickly in dry weather.
• Mowing should always be done with the engine at full throttle.
• Under heavier conditions it may be necessary to go back over the
cut area a second time to get a clean cut.
• Do NOT attempt to mow heavy brush and weeds and extremely
tall grass. Your tractor is designed to mow lawns, NOT clear
brush.
• Keep the blade sharp and replace the blade when worn. Refer
to Cutting Blade in the Maintenance section of this manual for
proper blade sharpening instructions.
• The lamps turn OFF when the ignition key is moved to the STOP
position.
20
WARNING
WARNING