Craftsman 917.289243 manual Purge Transmission, Never engage or disengage

PURGE TRANSMISSION

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_CAUTION:	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 procedure will remove anytrapped air inside the transmission which may have developed 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.

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 position (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. With motion control lever in neutral position, slowly disengage clutch/brake pedal.

_,CAUTION: At any time, during step 4, there may be movement of the drive wheels.

4.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.

5.Move motion control lever to neutral

position. Shutoff engine and set parking brake.

6.Engage transmission by placing free-

wheel contro! 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. With motion control lever in neutral position, slowly disengage clutch/brake pedal.

8.Slowly move motion control leverforward, 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

position. Repeat this procedure with the motion control lever three (3) times.

Your transmission 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.

o 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 ofthe tractor. This will result in a more even distribution of clippings and more uniform cutting.

•When mowing large areas, start bytuming 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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•If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to reduce load and possible

fire hazard from dried clippings. Make first cut relatively high; the second to the desired height.

o Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet grass will plug mower and leave undesir-

able clumps. Allow grass to dry before mowing.

•Always operate engine at full throttle

when mowing to ensure better mow-

ing 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 attachment being used.

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