Craftsman 917.27390 Operator's Manual page 16

COLD WEATHER STARTING
(50°F (10°C) and below)
6. Whenengine starts, leave throttle control
in choke position until engine warms up
and begins to run roughly. Once rough
running begins, immediately move the
throttle control to the fast position. Engine
warm-up may take from several seconds
to several minutes (the colder the tem-
perature, the longer the warm-up).
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
Before driving the unit in cold weather, the
transmission should be warmed up as fol-
lows:
1. Ensure the tractor is on level ground.
2. Release the parking brake and let the
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 also be used
during the engine warm-up period after
the transmission has been warmed up.
PURGE TRANSMISSION
ACAUTION: Never engage or disengage
freewheel lever while the engine is running.
To ensure proper operation and performance,
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 replacement,
itshould be purged after reinstallation before
operating the tractor.
1. Place tractor safely on a level surface -
that is clear of objects and open - with
engine off and parking brake set.
Disengage transmission by placing
freewheel control in disengaged 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 position, slowly
disengage clutch/brake pedal.
ACAUTION: At any time, during step 4,
there may be movement of the drive wheels.
3.
16
Move motion control lever to full forward
position and hold for five (5) seconds.
Move lever to full reverse position and
hold for five (6) seconds. Repeat this
procedure three (3) times.
Move motion control lever to neutral posi-
tion. Shutoff engine and set parking brake.
Engage transmission by placing free-
wheel control in engaged 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 position, slowly
disengage clutch/brake pedal.
Slowly move motion controllever forward,
after the tractor moves approximately
five (5) feet (1,5 m), slowly move motion
control lever to reverse position. After
the tractor moves approximately five
(5) feet (1,5 m) return the motion control
lever to the neutral position. Repeat this
procedure with the motion control lever
three (3) times.
Your transmission is now purged and now
ready for normal operation.
MOWING TIPS
* DO NOT use tire chains when the mower
housing is attached to tractor.
Mower should be properly leveled for best
mowing performance. See "TO LEVEL
MOWER HOUSING?' in the Service 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 already been cut. Have
the cut area to the right of the tractor. This
will result in a more even distribution of
clippings and more uniform cutting.
When mowing large areas, start by turning
to the right so that clippings will discharge
away from shrubs, fences, driveways,
etc. After one or two rounds, mow in the
opposite direction making left hand turns
until finished .