,_RGE TRANSMISSION

CAUTION: Never engage or disen- gage freewheel lever while the engine is running.

To ensure proper operation and perfor- mance, it is recommended that the trans- mission be purged before operating tractor for the first time. This procedure will remove any trapped air inside the trans- mission 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.

Place tractor safely on level surface with engine off and parking brake set.

Disengage transmission by placing free- wheel control in freewheeling position (See rl'O TRANSPORT" in this section of manual ).

Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine is running, move throt- tle 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 sys- tem.

Move motion control lever to neutral (N) position. Shut off engine and set parking brake.

Engage transmission by placing free- wheel control in driving position (See "TO TRANSPORT" in this section of manual).

Sitting in the tractor s,eat_start engine. After the engine is running, move throt-

tle control to half (1/2) speed. With motion control lever in neutral (N) posi- tion, slowly disengage clutch/brake pedal.

Slowly move motion control lever for- ward; after the tractor moves approxi- mately 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 pro- cedure with the motion control lever

three (3) times.

Your tractor is now purged and 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 been cuL Have

the cut area to the right of the tractor. This will result in a more even distribu- tion of clippings and more uniform cut- ting.

When mowing large areas, start by turn- ing to the right so that clippings will dis- charge away from shrubs, fences, drive- ways, etc. After one or two rounds, mow in the opposite direction making left hand turns until finished.

If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to reduce load and possi- ble 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 unde- sirable 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 se- lecting a low enough gear to give the mower the best 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.

I

16

Page 16
Image 16
Craftsman 917.271023 manual RGE Transmission, Mowing Tips