Craftsman 917.273481 - Manual (Page 16)

5. 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 sev­
eral attempts, move throttle control to
fast position, wait a few minutes and
try again. If engine still does not start,
move the throttle control back to the
choke position and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50° F and
above)
6. When engine starts, move the throttle
control to the fast position.
• 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 WEATHER STARTING ( 50° F and
below)
6. When engine starts, leave throttle
control in choke position until engine
warms up and begins to run roughly.
Once rough running begins, imme­
diately move the throttle control to the
fast position. Engine warm-up may
take from several seconds to several
minutes (the colder the temperature,
the longer the warm-up).
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM 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. Release the parking brake and let
the 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 also be used dur­
ing the engine warm-up period after the
transmission has been warmed up.
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
^CAUTION: Never engage or dis­
engage freewheel lever while the engine
is running.
To ensure proper operation and per­
formance, 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 replace­
ment, it should be purged after reinstall­
ation 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 disengaged posi­
tion (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. Disen­
gage parking brake.
4. Depress forward drive pedal to full
forward position and hold for five (5)
seconds and release pedal. Depress
reverse drive pedal to full reverse posi­
tion and hold for five (5) seconds and
release pedal. Repeat this procedure
three (3) times.
NOTE: During this step there will be no
movement of drive wheels. The air is being
removed from hydraulic drive system.
5. Shutoff engine and set parking brake.
6. Engage transmission by placing free­
wheel control in engaged position (See
“TO TRANSPORT” in this section 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
five feet then backwards for five feet.
Repeat this driving procedure three
times.
Your transmission is now purged and now
ready for normal operation.
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