Craftsman YS 4500 917.28990 - Manual (Page 18)

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
Before driving the unit in cold weather, the
transmission should be warmed up as follows:
1. Be sure the tractor is on level ground.
2. Release the parking brake and let the
brake slowly return to operating position.
3. Allow one minute for transmission to
warm up. This can be done during the
engine warm up period.
• The attachments can be used during
the engine warm-up period after the
transmission has been warmed up and
may require the choke control be pulled
out slightly.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000
feet) or in cold temperatures (below 32 F)
the carburetor fuel mixture may need to be
adjusted for best engine performance (see
“TO ADJUST CARBURETOR” in the Service
and Adjustments section of this manual).
PURGE TRANSMISSION
^kcAUTION: Never engage or disengage
freewheel lever while the engine is running.
To ensure proper operation and performance,
it is recommended that the transmission be
purged before operating tractor for the first
time. This procedurewill remove anytrapped
air inside the transmission 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 reinstalla­
tion before operating the tractor.
1. Place tractor safely on a level surface -
that is clear of objects and open - with
engine off and parking brake set.
2. Disengage transmission by placing
freewheel control in disengaged posi­
tion (See “TO TRANSPORT” in this
section of manual).
3. Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine.
After the engine is running, move
throttle control to slow position. Disen­
. gage parking brake.
^4 ca UTION: At any time, during step
4. there may be movement of the drive wheels.
4. Depress forward drive pedal to full
forward position and hold for five (5)
seconds and release pedal. Depress
reverse drive pedal to full reverse posi­
tion and hold for five (5) seconds and
release pedal. Repeat this procedure
three (3) times.
5. Shutoff engine and set parking brake.
6. Engage transmission by placing free­
wheel control in engaged position (See
“TO TRANSPORT” in this section of
manual).
7. Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine.
After the engine is running, move
throttle control to half (1/2) speed.
Disengage parking brake.
8. Drive tractor forward for approximately
five feet then backwards for five feet.
Repeatthis driving procedure three times.
Your transmission 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.
• 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 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 .
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18
If grass is extremely tall, it should be
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 speed 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.