Craftsman 917.270822 - Manual (Page 16)

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 en­
gine 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 neu­
tral. 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: 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
i^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 trans­
mission be purged before operating trac­
tor for the first time. This procedure will re­
move any trapped air inside the transmis­
sion which may have developed during
shipping of TOur 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 posi­
tion (See “TO TRANSPORT” in this sec­
tion 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) posi­
tion, slowly disengage clutch/brake
pedal.
• Move motion control lever to full for­
ward position and hold for five (5) sec­
onds. Move lever to full reverse positiot
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 park­
ing brake.
• Engage transmission by placing free­
wheel control in driving 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 half (1/2) speed. With
motion control lever in neutral (N) posi­
tion, slowly disengage clutch/brake
pedal.
• Slowly move motion control lever for­
ward; after the tractor moves approxi­
mately five (5) feet, slowly move motior
control lever to reverse position. After
the tractor moves approximately five (5
feet return the motion control lever to
the neutral (N) position. Repeat this
procedure with the motion control levei
three (3) times.
• Your tractor is now purged and ready
for normal operation.
MOWING TIPS
• Mower should be properly leveled for
best mowing performance. See ‘TO
MOWER HOUSING" in tl LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the Ser­
vice and Adjustments section of this
manual.
The left hand side of mower should be
used for trimming.
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 distribu­
tion of clippings and more uniform cut­
ting.
When mowing large areas, start by
turning to the right so that clippings wil
discharge away from shrubs, fences,
driveways, etc. After one or two rounds
mow in the opposite direction making
left hand turns until finished.
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