Purge Transmission; Mowing Tips - Craftsman 917.275240 Owner's Manual

• 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 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 freewheeling
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. With
motion control lever in neutral (N)
position, slowly disengage clutch/
brake pedal.
4. Move motion control lever to full
forward position and hold for five (5)
seconds. Move lever to full reverse
position and hold for five (5) seconds.
Repeat this procedure three (3)
times.
NOTE: During this procedure there will be
no movement of drive wheels. The air is
being removed from hydraulic drive system.
5. Move motion control lever to neutral
(N) position. Shut- off engine and set
parking brake.
6. Engage transmission by placing
freewheel control in driving 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. With motion control lever in
neutral (N) position, slowly disen-
gage clutch/brake pedal.
8. Slowly move motion control lever
forward, after the tractor moves
approximately five (5) feet, slowly
move motion control lever to reverse
position. After the tractor moves
approximately five (5) feet return the
motion control lever to the neutral (N)
position. Repeat this procedure with
the motion control lever three (3)
times.
Your tractor 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 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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it;
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• If grass is extremely tall, it should be
mowed twice to reduce load and possible
fire hazard from dried clippings. Make first
cut relatively high; the second to the
desired height.
• Do not mew grass when it is wet. Wet
grass will plug mower and leave undesir-
able 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
19 being used.