Mowing Tips - Craftsman 917.288600 Operator's Manual

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
Before driving the unit in cold weather, the
transmission should be warmed up as follows:
1. Be sure the tractor is on level ground.
2. Release the parking brake and let the
brake slowly return to operating position.
3. AIIowone minute for transmission towarm
up. This can be done during the engine
warm up period.
• The attachments can be used during the
engine warm-up period after the transmis-
sion has been warmed up and may require
the choke control be pulled out slightly.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000
feet) or in cold temperatures (below 32 F)
the carburetor fuel mixture may need to be
adjusted for best engine performance (see
"TO ADJUST CARBU RETOR" in the Service
and Adjustments section of this manual).
_RGE TRANSMISSION
CAUTION: Never engage or disengage •
freewheel lever while the engine is running.
To ensure proper operation and performance,
it is recommended that the transmission be
purged before operating tractor for the first
time. This procedure will remove any trapped
air inside the transmission which may have f
developed during shipping of your tractor.
IMPORTANT: Should your transmission t
require removal for service or replacement,
/
it should be purged after reinstallation before
operating the tractor.
1. Place tractor safely on a level surface
- that is clear of objects and open - with
engine off and parking brake set.
2. Disengage transmission by placing
freewheel control in disengaged position
(See "TO TRANSPORT" in this section
of manual).
3. Sitting in thetractor seat, start engine. After
the engine is running, move throttle control
_to slow position. Disengage parking brake.
AUTION: At any time, during step 4,
there may be movement of the drive wheels.
4. Depressforwarddrivepedaltofullforward °
position and hold for five (5) seconds and
release pedal. Depress reverse drive
pedal to full reverse position and hold
for five (5) seconds and release pedal.
Repeat this procedure three (3) times.
5. Shutoff engine and set parking brake.
6. Engagetransmissionbyplacingfreewheel •
control in engaged position (See "TO
TRANS PORT" in this section of manual).
7. Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine.
After the engine is running, move throttle
control to half (1/2) speed. Disengage
parking brake.
8. Drive tractor forward for approximately
five feet then backwards for five feet.
Repeat this driving procedure three times.
Your transmission is now purged and now
ready for normal operation.
MOWING TIPS
Tire chains cannot be used when the
mower housing is attached to tractor.
Mower should be properly leveled for best
mowing performance. See "TO LEVEL
MOWER HOUSING" in the Service and
Adjustments section of this manual.
The left hand side of mower should be
used for trimming.
Drive so that clippings are discharged onto
the area that has already been cut. Have
the cut area to the right of the tractor. This
will result in a more even distribution of
clippings and more uniform cutting.
When mowing large areas, start by turning
to the right so that clippings will discharge
away from shrubs, fences, driveways,
etc. After one or two rounds, mow in the
opposite direction making left hand turns
until finished.
J
If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed
twice to reduce load and possible fire haz-
ard from dried clippings. Makefirstcut rela-
tively high; the second to the desired height.
Do not mowgrasswhen it iswet. Wet grass
will plug mower and leave undesirable
clumps. Allow grass to dry before mowing.
Always operate engine at full throttle
when mowing to assure better mowing
performance and proper discharge of mate-
rial. Regulate ground speed by selecting
a low enough speed to give the mower
cutting performance as well as the quality
of cut desired.
When operating attachments, select a
ground speed that will suit the terrain and
give best performance of the attachment
being used.
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