Craftsman 917.270961 - Manual (Page 16)

• 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.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50° F and
above)
• When 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 WEATHER STARTING (50° F 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 seconds
to several minutes, depending on the
temperature.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
• Before driving the unit in cold weather,
the transmission should be warmed up
as follows:
• Be sure the tractor is on level
ground.
• Place the motion control lever in
neutral. Release the parking brake
and let the clutch/brake
slowly return to operating position.
• 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 perfor­
mance. See “TO ADJUST CARBURE­
TOR” in the Service and Adjustments
section of this manual.
PURGE TRANSMISSION
 CAUTION: 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
transmission 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 reinstalla­
tion before operating the tractor.
• Place tractor safely on level surface
with engine off and parking brake set.
• Disengage transmission by placing
freewheel control in freewheeling
position (See “TO TRANSPORT in
this section of manual).
• Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine.
After the engine is running, move
throttle control to slow position. With
motion control lever in neutral (N)
position, slowly disengage clutch/
brake pedal.
• Move motion control lever to full
forward position and hold for five (5)
seconds. Move lever to full reverse
position and hold for five (5) seconds.
Repeat this procedure three (3) times.
NOTE: During this procedure there will
be no movement of drive wheels. The air
is being removed from hydraulic drive
system.
• Move motion control lever to neutral
(N) position. Shut- off engine and set
parking brake.
• Engage transmission by placing
freewheel control in driving position
(See “TO TRANSPORT in this section
of manual).
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