Craftsman 917.258920 Owner's Manual page 16

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OPERATION
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PURGE TRANSMISSION
To ensure proper operation and performance, it is recom-
mended 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 devel-
oped during shippingof your tractor,
IMPORTANT: SHOULD YOUR TRANSMISSION REQUIRE
REMOVAL FOR SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT, IT
SHOULD BE PURGED AFTER REINSTALLATION
BEFORE OPERATING THE TRACTOR,
= Place tractorsafely on level surface with engine off and
parking brake set.
o Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control
in freewheeling position (See "TO TRANSPORT" in
this section of manual).
° Sittinginthetractorseat, startengineo Aftertheeng!ne
is running, move throttle control to slow position. With
motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly
disengage clutch/brake pedal.
= 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 movementof
drive wheels. The air is being removed from hydraulic ddve
system.
° Move motion control leverto neutral (N) position. Shut-
off engine and set parking brake.
° Engage transmission by placing freewheel control in
driving position (See"TOTRANSPORT" in this section
of manual).
= Sitting in thetractor seat, start engine. Afterthe engine
is running, move throttle contro/to half (1/2) speed.
With motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly
disengage clutch/brake pedal.
• Slowly move motion control lever forward, after the
tractormoves approximatelyfive (5) feet, slowlymove
motion control lever to reverse position. After the
tractor moves approximately five (5) feet return the
motioncontrollever tothe 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
o Tire chains cannot be used when the mower housing
is attached to tractor,
° Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing
performance, See'q'O LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in
the Service and Adjustments section of this manual,
• Use the runner on the right hand side of mower as a
tghuide, T he blade cuts approximately an inch outside
e runner (See Fig, 8),
° The left hand side of mower should be used for trim-
ming,
° Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area
that has been cut. Have the cut area to the rightof the
tractor, This will result in a more even distributionof
clippingsand more uniformcutting,
° 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 mal,Jng left hand turns until
finished (See Fig. 12).
° If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to
reduce load and possible fire hazard from dried clip-
pings. 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 dis-
charge of material Regulate ground speed by select-
ing a low enough gear to give the mower cutting
performance as wetl 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 being used.
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FIG. 12
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