Hi N1KK0,
It's always good practice to engage drives gently! Lessens shock loading of the components, and promotes longer service life.
The Victa Service Manual section on the older Auto Drive series SP mowers actually says [their italics] "NOTE: the metal drive teeth of the overrun clutch pinion and the Nylon gear teeth inside the wheel body must be grease free."
Cheers,
Gadge
"ODK Mods can explain it to you, but they can't understand it for you..."
"Crazy can be medicated, ignorance can be educated - but there is no cure for stupid..."
| 
