Craftsman 917.259172 - Manual (Page 14)

OPERATION
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 7)
When 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.
Be sure freewheel control is in the transmission
engaged position.
Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/
brake pedal and set parking brake.
Place motion control lever in neutral (N) position.
Move attachment clutch to “DISENGAGED” posi­
tion.
Move throttle control to fast position
Pull choke control out for a cold engine start at­
tempt. For a warm engine start attempt the choke
control may not be needed.
Note: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting
procedures below.
» 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 stilt 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 toad,
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.
HYDROSTATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
» Before driving the unit in cold weather, the trans­
mission should be warmed up as follows:
■> Be sure the tractor is on level ground.
» Place the motion control lever in neutral. R e -
lease 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 performance.
See ‘TO ADJUST CARBURETOR” in the Service and
Adjustments section of this manual.
PURGE TRANSMISSJON
CAUTION: Never engage or disengage
freewheel lever while the engine is run­
ning.
To ensure proper operation and performance, it is recom­
mended 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 devel­
oped 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,
• 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. Afterthe engine
is running, move throttle control to slow position. With
motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly
disengage clutch/brake pedai.
® 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 freewheei 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 haif (1/2) speed.
With motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly
disengage clutch/brake pedal.
® Slowly move motion control lever forward, after the
tractor moves approximately five (5) feet, slowly move
motion control lever to reverse position. After the
tractor moves approximately five (5) feet return the
motion control leverto the neutral (N) position. Repeat
this procedure with the motion control lever three (3)
times.
• Your tractor is now purged and now ready for normal
operation.
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