Purge Transmission; Mowing Tips; Operation - Craftsman 944.600880 Owner's Manual

OPERATION
PURGE TRANSMISSION
I& CAUTION: Neverengageordisengage
freewheel lever while the engine is run-
ning.
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 shipping of your tractor.
IMPORTANT: SHOULDYOURTRANSMISSION REQUIRE
REMOVAL FOR SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT, IT
SHOULD BE PURGED AFTER REINSTALLATION BEFORE
OPERATING THE TRACTOR.
• Place tractor safely on level surface with engine off and
parking brake set.
• Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control in
freewheeling position (See "TO TRANSPORT" in this
section of manual).
• 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.
• 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: Dudng this procedure there will be no movement of
drive wheels. The air is being removed from hydraulic drive
system.
• Move motion control lever to neutral (N) position. Shut-
off engine and set parking brake.
• Engage transmission by placing freewheel control in
driving position (See "TO TRANSPORT" in this section
of manual).
• 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
disengage clutch/brake pedal.
• 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
• Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing
performance. See "TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in
the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.
• Theleft hand side ofmower should be used for trimming.
• Drive so that clippingsare discharged onto the areathat
has been cut. Have the cut area to the right of the
machine. This will result in a more even distribution of
clippings and more uniform cutting.
• When mowing large areas, start byturning 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
(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 undesireble clumps. AIIowgrasstodry
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 selecting
a low enough gear to give the mower cutting perfor-
mance as well as the quality of cut desired.
• When operating attachments, select a ground speed
that will suitthe terrain and give best performance ofthe
attachment being used.
J
FIG. 12
16