To Transport; Before Starting The Engine; Check Engine Oil Level; To Start Engine - Craftsman EZ3 944.609050 Owner's Manual

OPERATION
TO TRANSPORT
• Raise attachment lift to highest position with attach-
ment lift control.
• When pushing or towing your tractor, be sure gearshift
lever is in neutral (N) position.
• Do not push or tow tractor at more than five (5) MPH.
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.).
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig. 15)
• Theengineinyourtractor has been shipped, fromthe
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 necessary, 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
Customer Responsibilities section of this manual).
• To change engine oil, see the Customer Responsibili-
ties 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.
WARNING: 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 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 Storage Instruc-
tions for 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 |
m
filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any
I
spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or
use gasoline near an open flame.
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 7)
When staging 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"DISENGAGED" position.
• Move throttle control to choke (IXI) position.
NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting
proced'ures below.
• Insertkey intoignitionand turn key clockwiseto "START"
position and release key as soon as engine starts. Do
not run starter continuously for more than fifteen sec-
onds 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 stilldoes not
start, move the throttle control back to the choke (1\1)
position and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50 ° F and above)
• When engine starts, move thethrottle controlto 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.
COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50 ° F and below)
• When engine starts, aUow engine to run withthethrottle
control in the choke (IXI) position until the engine runs
roughly, then move throttle control to fast position. This
may require an engine warm-up period from several
seconds to several minutes, depending on the tem-
perature.
• The attachments can also be used during the engine
warm-up period.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold
temperatures (below 32 F) the carburetor fuel mixture may
need to be adjusted for best engine performance. See "TO
ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the Service and Adjustments
section of this manual.
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