Towing Carts And Other Attachments; Before Starting The Engine; Check Engine Oil Level; Add Gasoline - Craftsman 272 Owner's Manual

TOWING CARTS AND OTHER
ATTACHMENTS
Tow only the attachments that are
recommended by and comply with
specificationsof the manufacturer of your
tractor. Use common sense when towing.
Too heavy of a load, while on a slope, is
dangerous. Tires can lose traction with
"the ground and cause you to lose controt
of your tractor.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL
The engine in your tractor has been
shipped, from the factory, already filled
with summer weight oil.
1. Check engine oil with tractor on level
ground.
2. Unthread and remove oil fill cap/
dipstick; wipe oil off. Reinsert the
dipstick into the tube and rest oil fill
cap on the tube. Do not thread the
cap onto the tube. Remove and read
oil level. If necessary, add oil until
"FULL" mark on dipstickis reached.
Do not overfill.
• For cold weather operation you should
change oil for easier starting (See =OIL
VISCOSITY CHART" in the Mainte-
nance section of this manual).
• To change engine oil, see the Mainte-
nance section in this manual
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of
87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline
will increase carbon and lead oxide
deposits and reduce valve life). Do not
mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel in
quantities that can be used within 30
days to assure fuel freshness.
IMPORTANT: When operating in
temperatures below 32°F(0°C), use fresh,
clean winter grade gasoline to help
insure good cold weather starting.
_kWARNING: Experience indicates that
alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or
using ethanol or methanol) can attract
moisture which leads to separation and
formation of acids during storage. Acidic
gas can damage the fuel system of an
engine while in storage. To avoid engine
problems, the fuel system should be
emptied before storage of 30 days or
longer. Drain the gas tank, start the
engine and let it run until the fuel lines
and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel
next season. See Storage Instructionsfor
additional information. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur.
[I, CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank
filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any
spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or
use gasoline near an open flame.
TO START ENGINE
When starting_e enginefor the firsttlme or if
the enginehas run outof fuel,it willtake extra
crankingtimeto rnovefuelfromthe tankto
engine.
1. Sit on seat in operating position,
depress clutcWbrake pedal and set
parking brake.
2. Place gear shift lever in neutral (N)
position.
3. Move attachment clutch to =DISEN-
GAGED" position.
4. Move throttle control to choke position.
NOTE: Beforestarting, r eed the warm and
cold startingproceduresbelow.
5. Insert key into ignition and turn key
clockwise to "START" position and
release key as soon as engine starts.
Do not run starter continuouslyfor
more than fifteen seconds per minute.
If the engine does not start after
several attempts, move throttle control
to fast position, wait a few minutes and
try again. If engine still does not start,
move the throttle control back to the
choke position and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50° F and
_oove)
6. 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
accept the load, restart the engine end
allow it to warm up for one minute
using the choke as described above.
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