How to Use the Scotts 17 HP/42-inch Manufactured by John Deere

Make sure your battery cables are hooked up correctly and not corroded and use a 6mm wrench to tighten the nuts. The battery panel is behind the seat. Apply petroleum jelly or silicone spray to prevent corrosion.

Test the air pressure in your tires. The 15-inch front tires should have a PSI of 14. The 20-inch rear tires should have a PSI of 10.

Familiarize yourself with the controls of your tractor. The owners manual has a diagram of the tractor and the location of all of its controls. The exact location of controls will vary by the type of machine, year and model number.

Adjust the seat to fit you properly. Most seats have a height adjustment that uses two adjustment screws on a vertical slide at the back of the seat. Some use a pull-pin type adjustment that allows you to pull back on a pin, adjust the seat and release the pin into a new hole.

Press your left side brake foot pedal to the floor and move the parking brake handle at the lower center dash forward and to the left into the locking position. Remove your foot from the pedal. The pedal should remain down to indicate the parking brake is working.

Release the brake by pressing on the pedal and then moving the parking brake to the right and back to release. The brake pedal should now return to its non-brake position.

Check your fuel and oil levels before trying to start your mower.

Move your shift lever into "N" or "neutral" position. Because models vary, the exact layout and appearance of your shift lever also vary. Your mower could also be a manual or automatic style. In general, lock your parking brake, pull your PTO lever on the right side of the steering wheel to the backward, or off, position. Place your throttle lever on the left dashboard side in the choke position.

Turn your ignition key, located in the lower right area of the front dashboard, and crank the engine no longer than five seconds at a time. Release the key into the "run" position. If your engine doesn't start, wait 10 seconds and try again.

Allow the engine to run for two to three minutes to warm up -- longer if you are operating it in a cold climate. Move the throttle position of the choke upward as the motor warms up until you reach the fast position. Operate the engine at full throttle.

Move your mower forward by pressing your brake pedal and releasing your parking brake. Hold the brake pedal down and reach back with your right hand to the drive knob positioned next to the right rear side of your seat. Place the knob in the drive speed you desire and slowly release the brake.

Apply your brake pedal and come to a complete stop before changing to reverse. Hold your brake down and pull the PTO lever that extends from the steering column to the right and pull the lever back to the off position. Move your drive knob into reverse and slowly release your foot pedal.

Press your brake pedal and move your drive knob to neutral when you are ready to park the mower. Pull the PTO lever to the off position and move your throttle lever to slow. Turn your key to the "off" position and set your parking brake to shut down.

Adjust your mower height when the mower engine is off. Push down on the lift lever in front of the seat while holding the locking lever depressed with your thumb. Move the lift lever to the desired height. Release the locking lever to lock the lift lever in position.

Adjust the gage wheels with the mower engine off. Position the lift lever to its transport position and lock it in place. Remove the bolt, bushing, washer and nut holding the wheel in position. Position the lift lever to its mowing position and lock it in place. Move the gage wheel to the hole on the bracket that is closest to 6 to 13 millimeters from the ground. Replace the bolt, bushing, washer and nut. Repeat for all of the gage wheels on your mower.