Mowing Tips - Craftsman 917.288320 Operator's Manual

AUTOMATICTRANSMISSIONWARM UP
Before driving the unit in cold weather,the
transmissionshouldbewarmedupasfollows:
1. Be sure the tractor is on level ground.
2. Release the parking brake and let the
brakeslowly returnto operatingposition.
3. Allow one minute for transmission to
warm up. This can be done during the
engine warm up period.
• The attachmentscan be used during the
enginewarm-upperiodafterthe transmis-
sion hasbeenwarmed upandmay 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
"TOADJUSTCARBURETOR"inthe 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 per-
formance, it is recommended that the •
transmission be purged before operating
tractor for the first time. This procedure will
remove any trapped air inside the trans-
mission which may have developed during
shipping of your tractor.
IMPORTANT: Should your transmission
require removal for service or replace-
ment, it should be purged after reinstall-
ation 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 posi-
tion (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. Disen-
_gage parking brake.
AUTION: At any time, there may be
movement of the drive wheels.
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.
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.
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I
S-- • _\
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If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed
twice to reduce load and possible fire haz-
ard from dried clippings. Make first cut rela-
tively 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 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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