Craftsman 917.98636, Operator'S Manual, Page: 8 / 36

8
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
The tires on your tractor were overinflated at
the factory for shipping purposes. Correct
tire pressure is important for best cutting
performance.
• Reduce tire pressure to PSI shown on
tires.
CHECK DECK LEVELNESS
For best cutting results, mower housing
should be properly leveled. See “TO LEVEL
MOWER” in the Service and Adjustments
section of this manual.
✓
CHECKLIST
Before you operate your new trac tor, we
wish to assure that you receive the best
performance and satisfaction from this
Quality Product.
Please review the following checklist:
✓
All assembly instructions have been com-
plet ed.
✓
No remaining loose parts in carton.
✓
Battery is properly prepared and
charged.
✓
Seat is adjusted comfortably and tightened
securely.
✓
All tires are properly inflated. (For ship-
ping purposes, the tires were overinflated
at the factory).
✓
Be sure mower deck is properly leveled
side-to-side/front-to-rear for best cutting
results. (Tires must be properly inflated
for leveling).
✓
Check mower and drive belts. Be sure
they are routed properly around pulleys
and inside all belt keepers.
✓
Check wiring. See that all connections
are still secure and wires are properly
clamped.
✓
Before driving tractor, be sure free wheel
control is in “transmission engaged”
position (see “TO TRANS PORT” in the
Operation section of this man u al).
While learning how to use your tractor, pay ex-
tra attention to the following important items:
✓
Engine oil is at proper level.
✓
Fuel tank is filled with fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline.
✓
Become familiar with all controls, their lo-
cation and function. Operate them before
you start the engine.
✓
Be sure brake system is in safe operating
condition.
✓
Be sure Operator Presence System and
Reverse Operation System (ROS) are
working properly (See the Operation and
Maintenance sections in this manual).
✓
It is important to purge the transmission before
op er at ing your tractor for the first time. Fol-
low proper starting and transmission purging
instructions (See “TO START EN GINE” and
“PURGE TRANSMISSION” in the Op er a tion
section of this manual).
CHECK FOR PROPER POSITION OF
ALL BELTS
See the figures that are shown for replacing
motion and mower blade drive belts in the
Service and Adjustments sec tion of this man-
ual. Verify that the belts are routed cor rect ly.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM
After you learn how to operate your tractor,
check to see that the brake is operating prop-
erly. See “TO CHECK BRAKE” in the Service
and Adjustments section of this manual.
NOTE: You may now roll your tractor off the
skid. Continue using the instructions that
follow to remove the tractor from the skid.
WARNING: Before start ing, read, un-
der stand and fol low all in struc tions in the
Op er a tion section of this man u al. Be sure
tractor is in a well-ventilated area. Be sure
the area in front of tractor is clear of other
peo ple and objects.
TO ROLL TRACTOR OFF SKID (See
Op er a tion section for location and
function of con trols)
1. Raise attachment lift lever to its highest
po si tion.
2. Release parking brake by de press ing
clutch/brake ped al.
3. Place freewheel control in "trans mis sion
disengaged position" (See “TO TRANS-
PORT” in the Op er a tion section of this
manual).
4. Roll tractor forward off skid.
5. Remove banding holding the deflector
shield up against tractor.
Continue with the in struc tions that follow.