Mowing Tips - Craftsman 917.28990 Operator's Manual

COLD WEATHER STARTING (50°F/10°C
and below)
9, When engine starts, slowly push choke
control in until the engine begins to run
smoothly. Continue to push the choke
control in small steps allowing the engine
to accept small changes in speed and
load, until the choke control is fully in.
If the engine starts to run roughly, pull
the choke control out slightly for a few
seconds and then continue to push the
control in slowly° This may require an
engine warm-up period from several
seconds to several minutes, depending
on the temperature.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
Before driving the unit in cold weather, the
transmission should be warmed up as fol-
lows:
i, 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.
4. 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
'qO 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 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
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 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 the tractor seat, start engine.
After the engine is running, move throttle
control to slow position. Disengage park-
ing brake.
_CAUTION: At any time, during step 4,
there may be movement of the drive wheels.
4o Depress forward drive pedal to full foF
ward position and holdforfive (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,
5o Shutoff engine and set parking brake,
6. Engage transmission by placing free-
wheel control in engaged position (See
"TO TRANSPORT' 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_
& 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.
o Mowershould 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.
o 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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