Craftsman 28927 Operation Manual - Page 15

COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50 ° F and below) 6. When engine 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 temperature, the longer the warm-up). AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP Before driving the unit in cold weather, the transmission follows: should be warmed up as 1. Be sure the tractor is on level ground. 2. Release the parking brake and let the brake slowly return to operating position. 3. 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 "TOAD JUST CARBURETOR" in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual). PURGE TRANSMISSION ,A_CAUTION: Never engage or dis- engage freewheel lever while the engine is running. 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 a level surface - that is clear of objects and open - with engine off and parking brake set. 2. Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control in disengaged posi- tion (See "TO TRANSPORT" in this section of manual). 3. Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine is running, move throttle control to slow position. Disen- gage parking brake. _IbCAUTION: At any time, during step 4, there may be movement of the drive wheels. 4. Depress forward drive pedal to full forward position and hold for five (5) seconds and release pedal. Depress reverse drive pedal to full reverse position and hold for five (5) seconds and release pedal. Repeat this procedure three (3) times. 5. Shutoff engine and set parking brake. 6. Engage transmission by placing free- wheel control in engaged position (See "TO TRANSPORT" 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. Disengage parking brake. 8. Drive tractor forward for approximately five feet then backwards for five feet. Repeat this driving procedure three times. Your transmission is now purged and now ready for normal operation. MOWING TiPS • Tire chains cannot be used 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. 15