Craftsman 917.256890 Owner's Manual page 14

OPERATION
InsertKeyintoignitionandturn Keyclockwiseto"START" position and hold for five (5) seconds. Repeat this
oosition and t'eleaSe key as soon as engine starts, Do procedure three (3) times.
qo_ run starter continuously for more than fifteen sec-
onus oer minute, If the engine does not start after
severn attempts, move throttle control to fast (,_}
oosltlon, wait a few minutes and try again, If engine still
does not start, move the throttle control back to the
choke (IXI) position and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50 _ F and above)
o When engine starts, movethethrottle controltothe fast
(_) position,
The attachments and ground drive can now be JSed. If
me engine does not accept the load, restart the engine
ana allow it to warm up for one minute using the choke
as described above.
COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 500 F and below}
" When engine starts allow engine to run wlth the throttle
control n the choke (JXI) position until the engine "uns
roughly, then move throttle control to fast (,1_) position.
This may require an engine warm-up period from
severat seconds to several m_nutes. (]epending on the
temperature.
HYDROSTATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
o Before driving the uriit in cold weather, the transmis-
sion should be warmed up as follows:
Be sure the tractor is on level ground.
o Place the motion control lever in neutral.
Release the parking brake and let the clutch/brake
slowly return to operating position
Allow one minute for transmission to warm up.
This c_n be done dunng the engine warm uD
period,
The attachments can also be used during the engne
warm- Jp period after the transmfssio n has been warmed
NOTE: f a_ a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or q cold
temoeratures (below 32 F) the carburetor fuel mixture may
peeo to be adjusted for best engine performance. See "TO
ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the Service and Adjustments
section of this manual.
NOTE: During this procedure there wiii be no movement of
drive wheels. The air is being removed from hydraulic drive
system
o Move motion control lever to neutral (N) position. Sh ut-
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. Aftertheeng_ne
is running, move throttle control [o half (1/2) speed.
With motion control lever _nneutral (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 lever to 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 mohon cent,tel lever three (3)
times,
• Your tractor is now Purged and now ready for normai
operatron.
PURGE TRANSMISSION
Never engage or disengage
vet while the engine is run-
To ensure proper operation and oerformance, it is recom-
menaed that the transmission be purged before operating
tractor for the Iirst time. This procedure wilI remove any
traoDea air inside the transmission whfdh may have devel-
Deec_ 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,
Piaee tractor safely on level surface with engine off and
parking brake set,
Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control
in freewheeling position (See "TO TRANSPORT" in
this section of manual).
Sittin ] in the tractor seat, start engine, After the engine
is running move throttle control to.s_ow (,_) position.
With motion control tever in neutral (N) position, slowty
alsengago clutch/brake pedal
Move motion control lever to fun forward position and
qoid fret fly# (5', seconds. Move lever to full reverse
MOWING TiPS
- Tire chains cannot be used when the -newer housing
is attached [o tractor,
- Mower should be properly _eveled for best mowing
performance. See "TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in
the Service and Adjustments section of this manual,
, The left hand side of mowr_r should be usea for trim-
ming.
- Drive so that c', ppings are dlscr_arged onto the area
that has been cut Have the cut area to the right of the
machine. This will resuli ;n 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 ortwo rounds, mow
In the opposite direction making left hand turns until
finished (See Fig. 9).
- If grass is extremely tal!, it should be mowed twice to
reduce loa(] and possible fire qazard from dried chp-
pings. Make first cut relatively high; the second to the
desired height.
• Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet grass w_t}plug
mower and leave undesirable clumps, Allow grass to
dry before mowing.
• Always operate engine at fult throttle when mowing to
assure better mow_ng performance and proper dis-
charge of material. Regulate ground speed by select-
_ng a low enough gear 1o give the mower cutting
performance as well as the quality of cut desired.
When operating attachments, select a ground speed
that wilt suit the terrain and give best performance of
the attachment being used
f
r
14
FIG. 9