Mowing Tips - Craftsman 917.276860 Operator's Manual

reversedrive pedal to full reverseposi-
tion and hold for five (5) seconds and
releasepedal. Repeat this procedure
three (3) times.
5. Shutoffengineand set parking brake.
6. Engagetransmissionby placingfree-
wheelcontrol in engaged position(See
"TOTRANSPORT"in this sectionof
manual).
7. Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine.
After the engine is running, move
throttle controlto half (1/2) speed.
Disengageparking brake.
8. Drivetractor forwardfor approximately
five feet then backwardsfor five feet.
Repeat this driving procedurethree
times.
Yourtransmissionis now purgedand now
readyfor normal operation.
MOWING TIPS
• Tire chains cannotbe used when the
mowerhousingis attachedto tractor.
• Mowershould be properly leveledfor
best mowingperformance. See "TO
LEVEL MOWERHOUSING"in the
Service andAdjustmentssectionof this
manual.
• The left hand side of mowershould be
used for trimming.
• Drive so that clippings are discharged
onto the area that has already been
cut. Havethe cut areato the right of
the tractor. This will result in a more
evendistributionof clippings and more
uniformcutting.
• When mowinglarge areas, start by
turning to the right so that clippingswill
dischargeawayfrom shrubs,fences,
driveways,etc. After one or two rounds,
mow in the oppositedirection making
left hand turns untilfinished.
• If grass is extremelytall, it should be
mowedtwice to reduce load and pos-
sible fire hazard from dried clippings.
Makefirst cut relativelyhigh;the second
to the desired height.
• Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet
grasswill plug mowerand leave undesir-
able clumps. Allow grass to dry before
mowing.
• Always operate engine at full throttle
when mowing to assurebetter mow-
ing performanceand proper discharge
of material. Regulategroundspeed by
selectinga low enoughspeed to give the
mowercutting performanceas well as
the quality of cut desired.
• When operatingattachments,select a
groundspeed that will suit the terrain
andgive best performanceof the at-
tachment being used.
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