Craftsman 917.273062 - Manual (Page 18)

W hen starting the engine for the first time or if
the engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra
cranking time to move fuel from the tank to
the engine.
1. Be sure freewheel control is in the
transmission engaged position.
2. Sit on seat in operating position,
depress ciutch^rake pedal and set
parking brake.
3. Place motion control lever in neutral
(N) position.
4. Move attachment dutch to “DISEN­
GAGED” position.
5. Move throttle control to fast position
6. Pull choke control out for a cold
engine start attempt. For a warm
engine start attempt the choke control
may not be needed.
NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and
cold starting procedures below.
7. Insert key into ignition and turn key
clockwise to “START” position and
release key as soon as engine starts.
Do not run starter continuously for
more than fifteen seconds per minute.
If the engine does not start after
several attempts, push choke control
in, wait a few minutes and try again. If
engine still does not start, pull the
choke control out and retry.
W ARM W EATHER STARTING (50“ F and
above)
8. W hen engine starts, slowly push
choke control in until the engine
begins to run smoothly. 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.
• The attachments and ground drive can
now be used. If the engine does not accept
the load, restart the engine and allow it to
warm up for one minute using the choke
as described above.
COLD W EATHER STARTING (50“ F and
below)
8. W hen 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
TO START ENGINE in slowly. This may require an engine
warm-up period from several seconds
to several minutes, depending on the
temperature.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION W ARM UP
Before driving the unit in cold weather,
the transmission should be warmed up as
follows:
1. Be sure the tractor is on level ground.
2. Place the motion control lever in
neutral. Release the parking brake
and let the clutch/brake slowly return
to operating position.
3. 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 control be
pulled out slightly.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000
feet) or in cold temperatures (below 32 F)
the carburetor fuel mixture may need to
be adjusted for best engine performance.
See “TO ADJUST CARBURETOR” in the
Service and Adjustments section of this
manual.
PURGE TRANSMISSION
,A ca UTION: Never engage or disen­
gage freewheel lever while the engine is
running.
To ensure proper operation and perfor­
mance, it is recommended that the
transmission be purged before operating
tractor for the first time. This procedure will
remove any trapped air inside the trans­
mission which may have developed 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.
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
this section of manual).
3. Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine.
After the engine is running, move
throttle control to slow position. W ith
motion control lever in neutral (N)
position, slowly disengage clutch/
brake pedal.
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