Purge Transmission; Mowing Tips; Cold Weather Starting; Automatic Transmission Warm Up - Craftsman 917.274400 Owner's Manual

COLDWEATHERSTARTING( 50° F and
below)
7. When engine starts, allow engine
to run with the throttle controlin the
choke positionuntil the engine runs
roughly,then movethrottle control
to fast position.This may requirean
enginewarm-up periodfrom several
seconds to severalminutes,depending
on the temperature.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONWARMUP
Beforedriving the unit in cold weather,
the transmissionshould be warmed up as
follows:
1. Be sure the tractoris on levelground.
2. Placethe motion controllever in
neutral.Releasethe parking brake
and let the clutch/brakeslowly return
to operatingposition.
3. Allow one minutefor transmissionto
warm up.This can be done during
the enginewarm up period.
• The attachmentscan also be useddur-
ing the enginewarm-up periodafter the
transmissionhas been warmed up.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000
feet) or in cold temperatures(below32 F)
the carburetorfuel mixturemay need to
be adjustedfor best engineperformance.
(See "TOADJUST CARBURETOR"in the
Service and Adjustmentssectionof this
manual.)
PURGE TRANSMISSION
To ensure proper operation and per-
formance, it is recommended that the
transmission be purged before operating
tractor for the first time. This procedure will
remove any trapped air inside the trans-
mission which may have developed during
shipping of your tractor.
IMPORTANT: Should your transmission
require removal for service or replace-
ment, it should be purged after reinstall-
ation before operating the tractor.
1. Place tractor safely in an area that is
flat for approximately 80 feet in front of
the tractor and set the parking brake.
2. 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.
3. Slowly move motion control lever to
full forward position and hold for five
(5) seconds, or approximately 40 feet.
Slowly move lever to full reverse posi-
tion and hold for five (5) seconds, or
approximately 20 feet. After the tractor
moves approximately 20 feet in reverse
return the motion control lever to the
neutral (N) position. Repeat this proce-
dure three (3) times.
Your transmission is now purged and now
ready for normal operation.
MOWING TIPS
• 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 already been cut.
Have the cut area to the right of the trac-
tor. This will result in a more even distri-
bution 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.
f
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is extremely tall, it should be • If grass
mowed twice to reduce load and pos-
sible fire hazard from dried clippings.
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 at-
tachment being used.