13
OPERATION
PURGE TRANSMISSION
CAUTION: Never engage or disengage free-
wheel lever while the engine is run ning.
To ensure proper operation and performance, it is rec om-
mend ed that the transmission be purged before operating
tractor for the first time. This procedure will remove any
trapped air inside the transmission which may have de vel-
oped during shipping of your tractor.
IMPORTANT:
SHOULD YOUR TRANSMISSION RE QUIRE
REMOVAL FOR SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT, IT SHOULD
BE PURGED AFTER REINSTALLATION BEFORE OPERATING
THE TRACTOR.
1. Place tractor safely on a level surface - that is clear
and open - with engine off and parking brake set.
2. Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control
in disengaged position. (See “TO TRANSPORT” in
this section of manual.)
3. Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the en-
gine is running, move throttle control to slow position.
Dis en gage parking brake
CAUTION: At any time, during step 4, there
may be movement of the drive wheels.
4. Depress forward drive pedal to full forward position,
hold for five (5) seconds and release pedal. Depress
reverse drive pedal to full reverse position, hold for five
(5) seconds and release pedal. Repeat this procedure
three (3) times.
5. Shut- off engine and set parking brake.
6. Engage transmission by placing freewheel control
in engaged position. (See “TO TRANSPORT” in this
sec tion of manual.)
7. Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine
is running, move throttle control to half (1/2) speed.
Disengage parking brake.
8. Drive tractor forward for approximately 5 feet (1,5 m)
then backwards for 5 feet (1,5 m). Repeat this driving
procedure three times.
Your transmission is now purged and now ready for normal
op er a tion.
MOWING TIPS
• DO NOT use tire chains when the mower hous ing 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 trim ming.
• Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area
that has been cut. Have the cut area to the right of
the tractor. This will result in a more even dis tri bu tion
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 or two rounds, mow
in the opposite direction making left hand turns until
finished (See Fig. 14).
Fig. 14
• 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
mower and leave undesirable clumps. Allow grass to
dry before mowing.
•
Always operate engine at full throttle when mow-
ing to
ensure better mowing performance and proper
dis charge of material. Regulate ground speed by
se lect ing a low enough gear to give the mower cut ting
per for mance 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 tach ment being used.
COLD WEATHER STARTING (50°F/10°C and below)
•
When engine starts, slowly push choke control in until
the engine begins to run smoothly. Continue to push
the choke control in small steps allowing the engine to
accept small changes in speed and load, until the choke
control is fully in. If the engine starts to run roughly, pull
the choke control out slightly for a few seconds and
then continue to push the control in slowly. This may
require an engine warm-up period from several sec onds
to several minutes, depending on the temperature.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
•
Before driving the unit in cold weather, the trans mis sion
should be warmed up as follows:
• Be sure the tractor is on level ground.
• Release the parking brake and let the brake slowly
return to operating po si tion.
• Allow one minute for transmission to 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 transmission has been warmed up
and may require the choke con trol be pulled out slight ly.