Purge Transmission; Warm Weather Starting; Cold Weather Starting; Automatic Transmission Warm Up - Craftsman 917 Owner's Manual

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 tempera-
ture.
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.
16
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.
PURGETRANSMISSION
,_CAUTION: Never engage or disen-
gage freewheel lever willie 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).
• 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.