Craftsman 917.288623 Operator's Manual page 14

I. 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 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 the oil
viscosity chart inthe Maintenance section
of this manual),
• Tochange engine oil, seethe Maintenance
section in this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do
not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular
gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane.
Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase
fuel in quantities that can be used within
_9_30 days to ensure fuel freshness,
CAUTION: Wipe offanyspilled oil or fuel.
Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an
open flame.
IMPORTANT: When operating in tempera-
tures below 32°F (0°C), use fresh, clean
winter grade gasoline to help ensure good
cold weather starting,
CAUTION: A{cohof blended fuels (called
gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can
attract moisture which leads to separation
andformation of acids during storage. Acidic
gas can damagethe fuel system of an engine
while in storage. Toavoid 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 nextseason. SeeStorage Instruc-
tions for additional information. Never use
engine or carburetor cleaner products inthe
fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.
Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable alternative in
minimizing theformation offuel gum deposits
during storage, Add stabilizer to gasoline in
fuel tank or storage container. Always follow
the mix ratio found on stabilizer container.
Run engine at least 10 minutes after adding
stabilizer to allow the stabilizer to reach the
carburetor. Do not empty the gas tank and
carburetor if using fuel stabilizer.
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.
14
1. Ensure freewheel control is in the trans-
mission engaged position.
2, Sit on seat in operating position, depress
brake pedal and set parking brake,
3. Move attachment clutch to disengaged
position.
4. Move throttle control to choke position.
NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and
cold starting procedures below,
5. Insert key into ignition and turn 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, move
throttle control to fast position, wait a
few minutes and try again. If engine still
does not start, move the throttle control
back to the choke position and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING
(50°F (10°0) and above)
6. When engine starts, move the throttle
control to 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 (10°C) and below)
6. When engine starts, leave throttle control
in choke position until engine warms up
and begins to run roughly. Once rough
running begins, immediately move the
throttle controlto the fast position. Engine
warm-up maytake from several seconds
to several minutes (the colder the tem-
perature, the longer the warm-up).
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
Before driving the unit in cold weather, the
transmission should be warmed up as fol-
lows:
1, Ensure the tractor is on level ground,
2, Release the parking brake and let the
brake slowly return to operating position.
3. Allow one minutefortransmissiontowarm
up. This can be done during the engine
warm up period.
, The attachments can also be used
during the engine warm-up period after
the transmission has been warmed up,