Craftsman 247.288851 Operator's Manual page 14

gAS AND OIL FILL-Up
Oil
IMPORTANT: Your tractor is shipped with motor oil in the engine.
However, you MUST check the oil level before operating. Be careful
not to overfill.
For instructions on how to check the engine oil, refer to Checking The
Engine Oil in the Service and Maintenance section of this manual.
Gasoline
The gasoline tank is located under the hood. Do not overfill.
WARNINg
Use extreme care when handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never fuel machine indoors
or while the engine is hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars,
pipes, and other sources of ignition.
NOTE : Purchase gasoline in small quantities. Do not use gasoline left
over from the previous season, to minimize gum deposits in the fuel
system.
• This engine is certified to operate on unleaded gasoline. For best
results, fill the fuel tank with only clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline
with a pump sticker octane rating of 87 or higher.
• Gasohol (up to 10% ethyl alcohol, 90% unleaded gasoline by
volume) is an approved fuel. Other gasoline/alcohol blends, such
as E85, are not approved.
• Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) and unleaded gasoline blends
(up to a maximum of 15% MTBE by volume) are approved fuels.
Other gasoline/ether blends are not approved.
• Fill fuel tank outdoors or in well-ventilated area.
• Do not overfill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than 1/2 inch below
bottom of filler neck to allow space for fuel expansion.
• Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is hot or run-
ning. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.
• If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment. Move
machine to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting the
engine.
To Add gasoline
1. Turn the engine off and let engine cool at least 2 minutes before
removing the fuel cap. The gasoline tank is located under the
hood. Remove the fuel cap by turning it counterclockwise.
2. Fill the fuel tank with gasoline. Use only clean, fresh (no more
than 30 days old), unleaded gasoline. Fill tank to no more
than 1/2 inch below bottom of filler neck to allow space for fuel
expansion.
3. Reinstall the fuel cap.
IMPORTANT: Do not overfill the tank. Fill tank to no more than 1/2
inch below bottom of filler neck to allow space for fuel expansion. See
Fig. 7.
OPERATION
• Go up and down slopes, not across.
• Avoid sudden turns.
• Do not operate the unit where it could slip or tip.
• If machine stops going uphill, stop blades and back downhill
slowly.
• Do not mow when children or others are around.
• Never carry children, even with blades off.
• Look down and behind before and while backing.
• Keep safety devices (guards, shields, and switches) in place
and working.
• Remove objects that could be thrown by the blades.
• Know location and function of all controls.
• Be sure blades and engine are stopped before placing hands or
feet near blades.
• Before leaving operator's position, stop tractor, disengage
blades, engage parking brake, shut engine off, and remove key.
14
Figure 7
WARNINg
Avoid Serious Injury or Death
Read Operator's Manual