Automatic Transmission; Mowing Tips - Craftsman 917.272245 Owner'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. Allow one minute for transmission to
warm up. This can be done during the
engine warm up period.
• The attachments can be used during
the engine warm-up period after the
transmission 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 CARBURETOR in the
Service and Adjustments section of this
manual).
PURGE TRANSMISSION
_CAUTION: Never engage or disengage
freewheel lever while the engine is running.
To ensure proper operation and perfor-
mance, it is recommended that the transmis-
sion be purged before operating tractor for
the first time. This procedure will remove any
trapped air inside the transmission which
may have developed during shipping of
your tractor.
IMPORTANT: Should your transmission
require removal for service or replacement,
it should be purged after reinstallation
before operating the tractor.
1. Place tractor safely on level surface
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 the tractor seat, start engine.
After the engine is running, move
throttle control to slow position.
Disengage parking brake.
4. Depress forward drive pedal to full
forward 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.
NOTE: During this step there will be no
movement of drive wheels. The air is being
removed from hydraulic drive system.
5. Shut off engine and set parking brake.
6. Engage transmission by placing
freewheel control in "transmission
engaged" position (See "TO TRANS-
PORT" in this section of manual).
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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
ready for normal operation.
MOWING TIPS
• 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.
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• If grass is extremely tall, it should be
mowed twice to reduce load and
possible fire hazard from dried clip-
pings. Make first cut relatively high; the
second to the desired height.
• Do not mow grass when it is wet. 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
material. Regulate ground speed by
selecting a low enough gear to give the
mower cutting performance as well as
the quality of cut desired,
• When operatingattachments, select a
ground speed that will suit the terrain
and give best performance of the
attachment being u_ed