In the documentation for managing machines the process for removing a machine that is part of a machine set includes manually cordoning and draining the node.

This is not necessary as all machines removed will be automatically cordoned and drained by the machine API operator.

4.12

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This doc: https://docs.openshift.com/container-platform/4.12/machine_management/deleting-machine.html states that nodes will be automatically cordoned and drained (correct)

While this one: https://docs.openshift.com/container-platform/4.12/machine_management/manually-scaling-machineset.html#manually-scaling-machineset states that the user must manually cordon and drain the node before scaling down a machine set in order to remove a specific machine.