Craftsman 917.258911 - Manual (Page 16)

OPERATION
PURGE TRANSMISSION
CAUTION: Never engage or disengage
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 devei-
oped during shipping of your tractor.
IMPORTANT:
SHOULD YOUR TRANSMISSION 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: During 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
• Tire chains cannot be used when the mower housing is
attached to tractor.
• Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing
performance. See TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in
the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.
• Use the runner on the right hand side of mower as a
guide. The blade cuts approximately an inch outside
the 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 right of the
tractor. This will result in a more even distribution 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 (See Fig. 11),
<• 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 well as the quality of cut desired.
• When operating attachments, select a ground speed
that wilt suit the terrain and give best performance of
the attachment being used.
FIG. 11
1 6