Purge Transmission; Mowing Tips - Craftsman 917.272244 Owner's Manual

AUTO MATiC TRANS MISSION WARM UP
Before driving the unit in cold weather,
the transmissionshould be warmed up as
follows:
f. 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 transmissionto
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
transmtssionhas 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 ad usted for best engine performance.
See "TO ADJUST CARBURETOR" n the
Service and Adjustments section of this
manual.
PURGE TRANSMISSION
_CAUTION: Never engage or disengage
freewheel lever while the engine is
running.
To ensure properoperation and perfor-
mance, it is recommendedthat the
transmissionbe purged before operating
tractorfor the first time. This procedure will
removeany trapped air inside the trans-
missionwhich may have developed during
shipping of yourtractor.
IMPORTANT: Should your transmission
require removal for sen'ice or replacement,
it shouldbe purged after ralnstallation
before operatingthe tractor.
1. Place tractor safely on level surface
with engine off and parking brake set.
2. Disengage transmission by placing
freewheel control in freewheelin,g
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= Duringthis procedure 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 driving position
See =TOTRANSPORT" in this section
of manua ).
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 tractor is now purged and now ready
for normal operation.
MOWING TIPS
• Mower should be properly leveled for
best mowing performance. See "3"0
LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the
Service and Adjustments section of this
manual.
• The ]eft hand side of mower should be
used for trimming.
• Drive so that clippings are discharged
onto the area that has been cut. Have
the cut area to the right of the tractor.
This will result in a more even distribu-
tion 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.
• 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 operating attachments, select a
ground speed that will suit the terrain
and give best performance of the
attachment being used.
f
17