Craftsman 917.27224 Lawn Mower User Manual


 
AUTOMATICTRANSMISSIONWARMUP
Beforedrivingtheunitincoldweather
thetransmssionshouldbewarmedupas
follows:
1. Be sure the tractor is on levelground.
2. Release the parkingbrake and let the
brake slowly retum to operating
position.
3. Allow one minute for transmissionto
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
transmissionhas been warmed up and
may require the choke control be
pulled out slightly.
NOTE: ff at a high altitude (above 3000
feet) or in cold temperatures (below 32 F)
the carburetorfuel mixture may need to
be adjustedfor best engine performance.
See TO ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the
Service and Adjustments section ofthis
manual.
PURGETRANSMISSION
_,CAUTION: Never engage or disengage
free.wheellever while the engine is
running.
To ensure proper operation and perfor-
manse, it is recommended thatthe
transmissionbe purged before operating
tractorfor the firsttime. This procedurewill
remove any trapped air insidethe trans-
mission which may have developed during
shippingof yourtractor.
IMPORTANT: Should your transmission
requireremoval for service or replacement,
it shouldbe purged after reinstallation
before operatingthe tractor.
1. Place tractor safely on level surface
with engine off and parking brake set.
2. Disengage transmission by placing
freewheel control in freewheeling
position(See =TO TRANSPORT" in
thissection of manual).
3. Sittingin the tractor seat, start engine,
After the engine is running, move
throttlecontrol to slow position.
Disengage parking brake.
4. Depress forward drive pedal to full
forward positionand holdfor five (5)
seconds and release pedal. Depress
reverse ddve pedal to full reverse
positionand hold for five (5) seconds
and release pedal. Repeat this
procedure three (3) times.
NOTE: Duringthisprocedurethere will be
no movementofdrivewheels. The air is
being removed from hydraulicdrive
system.
5. Shut- off engine and set parking
brake.
17
6. Engage transmissionby placing
freewheel control in drivingposition
(See "TO TRANSPORT in thissection
of manual).
7. Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine.
After the engine is running, move
throttle control tohaft (1/2) speed.
Disengage parking brake.
8. Drive tractor forward for approximately
five feet then backwards for five feet.
Repeat this drivingprocedure three
times.
Your tractor is now purged and now ready
for normal operation.
MOWlNGTIPS
Mower should be propedy 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 clippingsare discharged
onto the area that has been cut. Have
the cut area to the right of the tractor.
This will resultin e more even distribu-
tion of clippingsand more uniform
cutting.
When mowing large areas, start by
turning to the rightso that clippingswill
discharge away from shrubs, fences,
driveways, etc. After one or two
rounds, mow in the opposite direction
making left hand turns until finished.
If grass is extremely tall, itshould be
mowed twice to reduce load and
possible fire hazard from dried dip-
pings. Make first cut relativelyhigh; the
second to the desired height.
Do not mow grass when it iswet. Wet
grass will plug mower and leave
undesirable clumps. Allow grass to dry
before mowing.
Atways operate engine at full throttle
when mowing to assure better mowing
performance and proper discharge of
material. Regulate ground speed by
selecting e low enough gear to give the
mower cutting performance as well as
the qualityof cut desired.
When operating attachments, select a
ground speed that will suit the terrain
and give best performance of the
attachment being used.