Craftsman 917.28712 Owner's Manual page 10

3. Placefreewheel control in "trans-
mission disengaged position" (See "TO
TRANSPORT" in the Operation section
of this manual).
4. Roll tractor forward off skid.
5. Remove banding holding the deflector
shield up against tractor.
TO DRIVE TRACTOR OFF SKID (See
Operation section for location and
function of controls)
1. Be sure all the above assembly steps
have been completed.
2. Check engine oil level and fill fuel tank
with gasoline.
3. Place freewheel control in "trans-
mission engaged" position (see "TO
TRANSPORT" in Operation section of
this manual).
4. Sit on seat in operating position,
depress clutch/brake pedal and set the
parking brake.
5. Place motion control lever in neutral
(N) position.
6. Raise attachment lift lever to its highest
position.
7. Remove key from bag and start the
engine (see "TO START ENGINE" in
the Operation section of this manual).
After engine has started, move throttle
control to idle (slow) position.
8. Release parking brake.
9. Slowly move the motion control lever
forward and slowly drive tractor off skid.
10. Apply brake to stop tractor, set parking
brake and place motion control lever in
neutral position.
11 .Turn ignition key to "STOP" position.
Continue with the instructions that follow.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
The tires on your tractor were overinflated
at the factory for shipping purposes. Cor-
rect tire pressure is important for best
cutting performance.
Reduce tire pressure to PSI shown on
tires.
CHECK DECK LEVELNESS
For best cutting results, mower hous-
ing should be properly leveled. See "TO
LEVEL MOWER" in the Service and
Adjustments section of this manual.
CHECK FOR PROPER POSITION
OF ALL BELTS
See the figures that are shown for replac-
ing motion and mower blade drive belts
in the Service and Adjustments section
of this manual. Verify that the belts are
routed correctly.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM
After you learn how to operate your trac-
tor, check to see that the brake is operat-
ing properly. See "TO CHECK BRAKE"
in the Service and Adjustments section of
this manual.
,/CHECKLIST
Before you operate your new tractor, we
wish to assure that you receive the best
performance and satisfaction from this
Quality Product.
Please review the following checklist:
¢" All assembly instructions have been
completed.
v" No remaining loose parts in carton.
¢ Battery is properly prepared and
charged.
v" Seat is adjusted comfortably and tight-
ened securely.
v" All tires are properly inflated. (For ship-
ping purposes, the tires were overin-
flated at the factory).
v" Be sure mower deck is properly leveled
side-to-side/front-to-rear for best cutting
results. (Tires must be properly inflated
for leveling).
v" Check mower and drive belts. Be sure
they are routed properly around pulleys
and inside all belt keepers.
V" Check wiring. See that all connections
are still secure and wires are properly
clamped.
¢ Before driving tractor, be sure freewheel
control is in "transmission engaged"
position (see "TO TRANSPORT" in the
Operation section of this manual).
While learning how to use your tractor, pay
extra attention to the following important
items:
v" Engine oil is at proper level.
¢ Fuel tank is filled with fresh, clean, regu-
lar unleaded gasoline.
v" Become familiar with all controls, their
location and function. Operate them
before you start the engine.
¢" Be sure brake system is in safe operat-
ing condition.
v" Be sure Operator Presence System
and Reverse Operation System (ROS)
are working properly (See the Opera-
tion and Maintenance sections in this
manual).
¢" It is important to purge the transmission
before operating your tractor for the first
time. Follow proper starting and transmis-
sion purging instructions (See "TO START
ENGINE" and "PURGE TRANSMISSION"
in the Operation section of this manual).
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