Oil Level; Starting; Leve; Starting Engine - Craftsman 917.297350 Owner's Manual

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OPERATION
TRANSPORTING YOUR TILLER
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CAUTION: Before lifting or transport.
ing, allow tiller engine and muffler to
cool. Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain
gasoline from fuel tank.
AROUND THE YARD
• Tip depth stake forward until it is held by the stake
spring°
• Push tiller handles down, raising tines off the ground.
- Push or pull tiller to desired Iocation_
AROUND TOWN
• Disconnect spark plug wire,
• Drain fuet tank°
• Transport in upright position to prevent oil leakage.
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
iMPORTANT: BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO ALLOW
DIRT TO ENTER THE ENGINE WHEN CHECKING OR
ADDING OILOR FUEL. USE CLEAN OIL AND FUEL AND
STORE IN APPROVED, CLEAN, COVERED
CONTAINERS. USE CLEAN FILL FUNNELS.
FILL. ENGINE WITH OIL (See Fig. 7)
• With engine level, remove engine oil filler plug.
• Fitl engine with oil to point of overflowing. For approxi-
mate capacity see "PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" on
page 3 of this manual.
• Tilt tiller back on its wheels and then re-leveL
• Check oil level. Refill to point of overflowing if neces-
sary. Replace oil filler plug.
• For cold weather operation you should change oil for
easier starting (See OIL VISCOSITY CHART" in the
Customer Responsibilities section of this manual).
• To change engine oil, see the Customer Responsibili-
ties section of this manual.
OIL
FIG. 7
OIL
FILLER
PLUG
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded
gasoline. (Use of leaded gasoline will increase carbon
and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life.
iMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES
BELOW 32°F, USE FRESH, CLEAN, WINTER GRADE
GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER
STARTING
WARNING: Experience indicates that atcohol 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 stor-
age 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 the Storage
section of this manual for additional inforrnation. Never use
engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or'
lermanent damage may occur.
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CAUTION: Fill to within 112 inch of top
of fuel tank to prevent spills and to
allow for fuel expansion, if gasoline is
accidentally spilled, move machin'e
away from area of spill. Avoid creating
any source of ignition until gasoline
vapors have disappeared.
Do not overfill. Wipe off any spilled oil
or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gaso-
line near an open flame.
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 8)
I
...... CAUTION:'"'""Keep the tine control in I
&
i "OFF" position when starting engine.
I
• Make sure spark plug wire is properly connected.
• Place throttle control in "FAST" position.
• To start a cold engine, place choke control in"CHOKE"
position. A warm engine requires less choking to start.
• Grasp starter handle with one hand and grasp the tiller
with other hand. Pull rope out slowly until engine
reaches start of compression cycle (rope will pull
sfightly harder at this point).
• Pull starter handle quickly. Do not let starter' handle
snap back against starter°
• When engine starts, slowly move choke control to
=RUN" position as engine warms up.
• Move throttle control to desired running position.
• Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before
engaging tines_
NOTE: If at a high altitude (3000 feet) or in co_d tempera-
lures (below 32°F), the carburetor fuel mixture may need to
be adjusted for best engine performance° See "TO AD-
JUST CARBURETOR" in the Service and Adjustments
section of this manual.
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