Cold Weather Starting; Automatic Transmission - Craftsman EZ3 917.272220 Owner's Manual

NOTE: Before starting, read the warm
and cold starting procedures below.
• Insert key into ignition and turn key
clockwise to "START" position and re-
lease 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 at-
tempts, move throttle control to fast po-
sition, wait a few minutes and try again.
If engine still does not start, move the
throttle control back to the choke posi-
tion and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50 ° F and
above)
• When engine starts, move the throttle
control to the fast position.
• The attachments and ground drive can
now be used. If the engine does not ac-
cept the load, restart the engine and al-
low it to warm up for one minute using
the choke as described above.
COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50 ° F and
below)
• When engine starts, allow engine to
run with the throttle control in the choke
position until the engine runs roughly,
then move throttle control to fast posi-
tion. This may require an engine warm-
up period from several seconds to sev-
eral minutes, depending on the tem-
perature.
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 operatingposition.
• Allow one minute for transmission to
warm up. This can be done during
the engine warm up period.
• The attachments can also be used dur-
ing the engine warm-up period after the
transmission has been warmed up.
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 TRANSMISSION
ACAUTION: 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 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 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 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 park-
ing brake.
• Engage transmission by placing free-
wheel control in driving position (See
"TO TRANSPORT" in this section of
maniJal).
• 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.
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