Before Starting; To Start Engine - Craftsman 917.270732 Owner's Manual

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.
• Check engine oil with tractor on level
ground.
• Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe
clean, reinsert the dipstick and screw
cap tight, wait for a few seconds,
remove and read oil level. If neces-
sary, add oil until "FULL" mark on
dipstick is 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.
Oil Fill Cap/
Dipstick
ADDGASOLINE
• 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 fresh-
ness.
IMPORTANT: When operating in
temperatures below 32°F(0°C), use
fresh, clean winter grade gasoline to
help insure good cold weather starting.
a_coWARNING: Experience indicates that
hol 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 Instructions for additional
information. Never use engine or
carburetor cleaner products in the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur.
_iCAUTION: 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 the engine for the first time
or if the engine has run out of fuel, it will
take extra cranking time to move fuel
from the tank to the engine.
• Sit on seat in operating position,
depress clutch/brake pedal and set
parking brake.
• Place gear shift lever in neutral (N)
position.
• Move attachment clutch to "DISEN-
GAGED" position.
• Move throttle control to choke position.
NOTE: Before starting, read the warm
and cold starting procedures below.
• Insert key into ignition and turn key
clockwise to "START" position and
release 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 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
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
accept the load, restart the engine and
allow it to warm up for one minute
using the choke as described above.
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