To Start Engine; Tilling Hints - Craftsman 917.293401 Owner's Manual

,_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 ENGRNE
_kCAUTION: Keep drive control bar in
"DISENGAGED" position when starting en-
gine.
When starting engine for the first time or if
engine has run out of fuel, it wilt 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.
• Move shift lever indicator to "N" (neutral)
position.
o Place throttle control in "FAST" position.
o To start a cold engine, push primer five
(5) times before tryin_tto start. Use a
firm push. This step =snot usually nec-
essary when starting an engine which
has already run for a few minutes.
o Grasp recoil starter handle with one
hand and grasp tiller handle with other
hand. Pull rope out slowly untilengine
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.
° Allow engine to warm up for a few min-
utes before engaging tines.
NOTE: In cooler weather it may be neces-
sary to repeat priming steps, In warmer
weather over priming may cause flooding
and engine will not start. If you do flood
engine, wait a few minutes before attempt-
Jngto start and do not repeat priming
steps.
Starter
Handle
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").
° 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 will not readily penetrate
dry, hard soil which may contribute to
excessive bounce and difficulthandling
of your tiller. Hard soil should be mois-
tened before tilling; 'however, extremely
wet soil will "ball-up" or clump during tili-
ing. Wait untilthe 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 fine 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.
° Do not lean on handle. This takes
weight off the wheels and reduces trac-
tion. To get through a really tough sec-
t=onof sod or hard ground, apply upward
pressure on handle or lower the depth
stake_ '
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