Craftsman 917.293302 Owner's Manual page 11

,_CAUTION: Fill to within 1/2 inch of top
of fuel tank to prevent spills and to allow
for fuel expansion_ If gasoline is acciden-
tally spilled, move machine away from
area of spill Avoid creating any source of
ignition until gasoline vapors have disap-
peared.
Do not overfill. Wipe off any spilled oil or
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
near an open flame.
TO START ENGINE
.4{&CAUTION: Keep tine control in "OFF"
position when starting engine°
When starting engine for the first time or if
engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra
pulls of the recoil starter to move fuel from
the tank to the engine.
o Make sure spark plug wire is properly
connected and access cover is com-
pletely closed to create proper seal.
o Move shift lever indicator to "N" (neutral)
position.
• Place throttle control in "FAST" position.
o Turn fuel shut-off valve to "ON" position.
o Push stop switch to "ON" position
o Move choke control to full "CHOKE"
position. Grasp recoil starter handle with
one hand and grasp tiller handle with
other hands Pull rope out slowly until
engine reaches start of compression
cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this
point).
° Pull recoil starter handle quickly. Do not
let starter handle snap back against
starter. Repeat if necessary.
Choke Contro, _
Switch
Counter- _'-_
Clockwise
Fuel shut-off Valve
If engine fires but does not start, move
choke control to half choke position. Pul!
recoil starter handle until engine starts°
o When engine starts, slowly move choke
control to "RUN" position as engine
warms up.
NOTE: A warm engine requires less chok-
ing to start.
- Move throttle control to desired running
position..
. Allow engine to warm up for a few min-
utes before engaging tines.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (3000 feet) or
in cold temperatures (below 32°F), the car-
buretor fuel mixture may need to be
adjusted for best engine performance.
See "TO ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the
Service and Adjustments section of this
manual.
NOTE; If engine does not start, see trou-
bleshooting points.
TILLING HINTS
,_CAUTION: Until you are accustomed to
handling your tiller, start actual field use
with throttle in slow position (mid-way
between "FAST" and "IDLE")o
• Tilling is digging into, turning over, and
breaking up packed soil before planting.
Loose, unpacked soil helps root growth.
Best tilling depth is 4" to 6". A tiller will
also clear the soil of unwanted vegeta-
tion. The decomposition of this veg-
etable matter enriches the soil.
Depending on the climate (rainfall and
wind), it may be advisable to till the soil
at the end of the growing season to fur-
ther condition the soil.
o Soil conditions are important for proper
tilling. Tines wil! not readily penetrate
dry, hard soil which may contribute to
excessive bounce and difficult handling
of your tiller. Hard soil should be mois-
tened before tilling; however, extremely
wet soil will "ball-up" or clump during till-
ing. Wait until the soil is less wet in order
to achieve the best results. When tilling
in the fall, remove vines and long grass
to prevent them from wrapping around
the tine shaft and slowing your tilling
operation.
o You will find tilling much easier if you
leave a row untilled between passes.
Then go back between tilled rows. There
are two reasons for doing this° First,
wide turns are much easier to negotiate
than about-faces. Second, the tiller
won't be pulling itself, and you, toward
the row next to it.
o Do not lean on handle. This takes
weight off the wheels and reduces trac-
tion.
1!