Craftsman 917.274980 Owner's Manual page 13

TO TRANSPORT
When pushing or towing your tractor, be
sure to disengage transmission by
placing freewheel control in freewheeling
position. Freewheel control is located at
the rear drawbar of tractor.
1. Raise attachment lift to highest
position with attachment lift control.
2. Pull freewheel control out and down
into the slot and release so it is held in
the disengaged position.
• Do not push or tow tractor at more than
two (2) MPR.
• To re-engage transmission, reverse
above procedure.
Transmission Engaged
Transmission Disengaged
NOTE: To protect hood from damage
when transporting your tractor on a truck
or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and
secured to tractor. Use an appropriate
means of tying hood to tractor (rope, cord,
etc.).
TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACH-
MENTS
Tow only the attachments that are
recommended by and comply with
specifications of 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 control
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. 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 the oil
viscosity chart in the Maintenance
section of this manual).
• To change engine oil, see the Mainte-
nance section in this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler
neck. Do not overfill. 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.
_LCAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
near an open flame.
IMPORTANT: When operating in tem-
peratures below 32°F(0°C), use fresh,
clean winter grade gasoline to help
insure good cold weather starting.
_I=CAUTION: 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 Instruc-
tions for additional information.
Never use engine or carburetor cleaner
products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
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.
1. Be sure freewheel control is in the
transmission engaged position.
2. Sit on seat in operating position,
depress brake pedal and set parking
brake.
3. Move attachment clutch to disen-
gaged position.
4. Move throttle control to fast position
5. Pull choke control out for a cold
engine start attempt. For a warm
engine start attempt the choke control
may not be needed.
NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and
cold starting procedures below.
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