Before Starting The Engine; Check Engine Oil Level; Add Gasoline; Warm And Cold Weather Starting - Craftsman 917.270821 Owner's Manual

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.
• Check engine oil with tractor on level
ground.
• Hemove 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 Mainte-
nance section of this manual).
• To-change engine oil, see the Mainte-
nance 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.
IMPORTA_N_T: W_.henoperating in tempera-
tures below 32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean
winter grade gasoline to help insure good
,_dAweather starting.
RNING: Experience indicates that
alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or
us_g 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 emp-
tied before storage of 30 days or longer.
_rain 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 Instructions for additional informa-
tion. Never use engine or carburetor
"_leaner products in the fuel tank or perma-
nct amage may occur.
AUTION: Fil! to bottom of gas tank
filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any
spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use
gasoline near an open flame.
TO START ENGfNE
When starting the engine for the first time
or if the_ne I_s run out of fuel, it will
take extra cranking time to move fuel from
the tah'R'to tlT-e engine.
• Be sure freewheel control _ in the
transmission engaged position.
• Sit on seat in operating position,
depress clutch/brake pedal and set
parking brake.
• Place motion control lever in neutral (N)
position.
• Move attachment clutch to "DISEN-
GAG ED" position.
• Move throttle control to fast position
• 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.
• Insert key into ignition and tum key
clockwise to =START" position and
release key as soon as engine starts.
Do not run starter continuously for more
than fifteen seconds per minute. If the
engine does not start after several
attempts, push choke control in, wait a
few minutes and try again. If engine still
does not start, pull the choke control out
and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50 ° F
AND ABOVE)
• When engine starts, slowly push choke
control in until the engine begins to run
smoothly. If the engine starts to run
roughly, pull the choke control out slight-
ly for a few seconds and then continue
to push the control in slowly.
• 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, slowly push choke
control in until the engine begins to run
smoothly. Continue to push the choke
control in small steps allowing the
engine to accept small changes in
speed and load, until the choke control
is fully in. If the engine starts to run
roughly, pull the choke control out slight-
ly for a few seconds and then continue
to push the control in slowly. This may
require an engine warm-up period from
several seconds to several minutes,
depending on the temperature.
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