Craftsman 944.602951 owner manual Mulching Mowing Tips

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OPERATION

•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 controlto half (112) 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 leverto 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 propedy leveled for best mowing performance. See =TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

•The lefthand side of mower shouldbe used for trimming.

•Drive so that clippings are discharged ontothe area that

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 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

(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

mowerand leave undesirable clumps. AIIowgrasstodry before mowing.

•Always operate engine at full throtUe when mowing to assure better mowing performance and proper dis- charge of material. Regulate ground speed byselecting 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 willsuit the terrain and give best performance ofthe attachment being used.

RG. 11

MULCHING MOWING TIPS

IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP MOWER HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND TRASH. CLEAN AFTER EACH USE.

•The special mulching blade willrecut the grassclippings many times and reduce them in size so that as they fall onto the lawn they willdisperse intothe grass and notbe noticed. Also, the mulched grass will biodegrade quickly to provide nutrientsfor the lawn. Always mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed as this will provide the best recutting action of the blades.

•Avoid cutting your lawn when it iswet. Wet grass tends to form clumps and interferes with the mulching action.

The best time to mow your lawn isthe early afternoon.

At this time the grass has dried and the newly cut area will not be exposed to the direct sun.

•For best results, edjust the mower cutting height so that the mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass blades (See Fig. 12). For extremely heavy mulching, reduce your width of cut on each pass and mow slowly.

•Certain types of gress and grass conditionsmay require that an area be mulched a second time to completely hide the clippings. When doing a second cut, mow across or perpendicular to the first cut path.

•Change your cutting pattern from week to week. Mow north to south one week then change to east to west the

next week. This will help prevent matting and graining of the lawn.

MAX 1/3

FIG. 12

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Contents Jcraftsman J II. Slope Operation IV. Service4Rk Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers a Do notTable of Contents Full ONE 1 Year Warranty on Battery Product SpecificationsMaintenance Agreement Customer ResponsibilitiesKeys Slope Sheet Steering Wheel Seat@@ BaRery Before Removing Tractor from Skid Tools Required for AssemblyTo Removetractor from Carton Unpack CartonTo Roll Tractor OFF Skid See Operation Section page 10 for location and function of controlsTo Convert to Bagging or Discharging ChecklistInstall Mulchefi Plate Check for Proper Position of ALL BeltsSlow BatteryForward Reverse Neutral High LOW Parking Brake Clutch EngagedOperation Know Your TractorSee Fig HOW to USE Your TractorTo Adjust Mower CUI-rlNG Height To USE THROI-rLE Control See FigTowing Carts and Other Attachments To Adjust Gauge Wheels See FigTo Operate on Hills To Start Engine See Fig Before Starting the EngineADD Gasoline Purge TransmissionMowing Tips Mulching Mowing TipsGeneral Recommendations Before Each USETo Sharpen Blade See Fig BatteryTractor Brake OperationEngine Transaxle CoolingSpark Plugs IN-LINE Fuel Filter See FigAIR Filter See Fig To Remove Mower See Fig To Install Mower See FigTo Level Mower Housing Dmandrel Both Front Links Must be Equal in Length Belt InstallationSee Fig UFT LinkISee Fig Transmission REMOVAL/REPLACEMENTTo Adjust Steering Wheel Alignment Front Wheel TOE-IN/CAMBERTo Replace Headlight Bulb To Remove Hood and Grill Assembly See FigTo Start Engine with a Weak BATrERY See Fig Front Wheel CamberAcceleration Test To Adjust Carburetor See FigIdle Speed Adjusting Speed BracketCylinders Fuel SystemEngine OIL Correction ProblemCause Problem CauseSchematic Tractor - Model NumberTractor - Model Number ElectricalElectrical KEY Part NO. NO.DESCRIPTIONChassis and Enclosures Chassis and Enclosures KEY Part DescriptionRepairparts Drive KEY Part Description NO. noSteering Assembly 72140618 Seat Assembly KEY Part DecalsWheels & Tires Engine Optional EquipmentMower Lift 20..,., 161718 1520Mower Deck KEY Hydro Gear Transaxle Model Number Hvdro Gear Transaxle Model Number 314,.0510 KEY Part NO. noKohler Engine Model Number CV492, Type Number Crankcasei CARTER-MOTEURKEY Part NO. NO.DESCRIPTION Cylinder HEAD/VALVE/BREATHER Crankcase KEY Part NO. noDescription Tractor - Model Number 944,602951 IGNITION/ELECTRICAL I ElectriqueallumageKEY Part NO. no NotillustratedNot Illustrated Starting System Engine Controls Startingsystem Engine Controls KEY Part NO. NO.DESCRIPTION OIL PAN/LUBRICATION KEY Part NO. noKohler Engine Model Number CV492, Type Number Crankshaft Fuel System Fuel DE LE SystimeExhaust Fuelsystem Crankshaft KEY Part NO. noNot Illustrated Description Service Notes Service Notes Service Notes Suggested Guide for Sighting Slopes for Safe Operation Only Ride UP and Down Hill Not Across Hill Degrees MAXMY-HOME
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