Craftsman 757.243481 - Manual (Page 7)

OPERATION
A
WARNING
• To avoid personal injury and/or
equipment damage, never exceed the
recommended operating speed range of
3 to 5 MPH.
WHEN TO AERATE
Your Aerator should not be used when Lawn
Conditions are too Wet or too Dry. To determine
condition, dig a small amount of your soil (about
three inches deep):
• If soli appears powdery and brittle- it is
too dry. Wait until a later date, after a
rainfall. If soil is too dry, the Plugging
Spoons will not penetrate properly.
• If soil appears damp, roll a small amount
into a ball in the palm of your hand- if it
forms a ball, theff it is too wet. Ideally, the
soil should fall apart when rolled in the
palm of your hand. Wait till a later date for
soil to dry. If soil is too wet, the Plugging
Spoons will stop up and your Tractor could
lose tract ion, causing Lawn Damage
MOUNTING AND TRANSPORTING
• Attach Aerator to your Rider using Pin and
Hairpin Cotter supplied.
• To place in Transport Position;
Pull FORWARD on Lift Handle (12) and
move to Transport Lock Pin in Side Plate.
Pull OUT and move Handle to Lock-in
position. Aerator rests on Wheels.
• To place in Operating Position:
Pull OUT on Lift Handle (releasing from
Transport Position) and move back. Aerator
rests on Plugging Spoons.
A
CAUTION
• Use the Plugging Aerator only on
established lawns, NEVER ON NEWLY
LAID SOD.
• Never exceed the Weight Tray capacity
of 150 pounds. If the Plugging Spoons
are going too deep, remove some of
the weight from the weight Tray.
• Always raise Plugging Spoons to
Transport position when crossing
asphalt or concrete.
• When backing - carefully back straight to
avoid jackknifing, which could result in
damage to equipment.
USE OF ADDITIONAL WEIGHT
The weight required to give a recommended
penetration of approximately three inches will vary
according to soil type and conditions. Concrete
Blocks, Patio Blocks, Sand Bags, or any other type
of weight can be added to Aerator Tray as
required. Weight can be secured by using tie
downs through holes in Tray Flanges. Tie downs
are not furnished with your unit. Usually three
Concrete Blocks will be sufficient, but more or less
may be required.
• Drive your Tractor to location to be Aerated.
• Lower Aerator to Operating Position.
• Drive the Tractor FORWARD approximately ten
feet and stop.
• Observe the operation- there should a Plug hole
approximately every 10 inches to 12 inches and
not more than 3 inches deep.
• Add or remove weight to obtain this condition.
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITY
• Should rust appear on any other part of your
Aerator,, sand lightly to remove rust and coat lightly
with enamel.
• Apply a drop of lubricating oil to each Nylon Bearing
and the Aerator Axle before each use.
• To prevent rust on Plugging Spoons, apply a light
coat of oil on the working areas of Spoons after each
use.
• Periodically check the Spoons - remove
any debris which might build up and restrict
their action.
• After each use, service unit as described - and
store in a dry area, shielding tines to avoid injury.