Cold Weather Starting - Craftsman 917.2738 Owner's Manual

WARMWEATHERSTARTING(50° F and
above)
8. When engine starts, slowly push choke
control in untilthe enginebegins to
run smoothly.If the enginestarts to
run roughly,pull the chokecontrolout
slightly for a few seconds and then
continueto push the control in slowly.
• The attachmentsand grounddrive can
now be used.If the engine does not
acceptthe load, restartthe engine and
allow it to warm up for one minuteusing
the chokeas describedabove.
COLD WEATHERSTARTING(50° F and
below)
8. When engine starts, slowly push choke
control in untilthe enginebegins to run
smoothly.Continueto pushthe choke
control in smallsteps allowingthe en-
gine to accept small changes in speed
and load, untilthe choke controlis fully
in. If the engine starts to run roughly,
pull the chokecontrol out slightly for a
few seconds and then continueto push
the control in slowly.This may require
an enginewarm-up period from several
seconds to several minutes,depending
on the temperature.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONWARMUP
Beforedriving the unit in cold weather,
the transmissionshould be warmed up as
follows:
1. Be sure the tractor is on levelground.
2. Placethe motioncontrol leverin
neutral.Releasethe parkingbrake and
let the clutch/brakeslowly return to
operatingposition.
3. Allow one minutefor transmissionto
warm up.This can be done during the
enginewarm up period.
• The attachmentscan be used during
the enginewarm-up period afterthe
transmissionhas been warmed up and
may requirethe chokecontrol be pulled
out slightly.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (above3000
feet) or in cold temperatures(below32 F)
the carburetorfuel mixturemay need to
be adjustedfor best engineperformance
sSee"TO ADJUSTCARBURETOR"in the
erviceand Adjustmentssectionof this
manual).
PURGE TRANSMISSION
_CAUTION: Never engage or disengage
freewheel lever while the engine is run-
ning.
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 '"transmission dis-
engaged" position (See "TO TRANS-
PORT" in this section of manual).
3. 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.
4. 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 step there will be no
movement of drive wheels. The air is being
removed from hydraulic drive system.
5. Move motion control lever to neutral
(N) position. Shutoff engine and set
parking brake.
6. Engage transmission by placing
freewheel control in '"transmission
engaged" position (See "TO TRANS-
PORT" 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.
With motion control lever in neutral (N)
position, slowly disengage clutch/brake
pedal.
8. Slowly move motion control lever
forward, after the tractor moves ap-
proximately five (5) feet, slowly move
motion 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
lever three (3) times.
Your transmission is now purged and
ready for normal operation.
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