Storage - Craftsman 917.273220 Owner's Manual

TROUBLESHOOTING CHART
PROBLEM CAUSE
Poor grass discharge • Engine speed too slow.
• Travel speed too fast.
• Wet grass.
• Mower deck not level.
• Low/uneven tire air
pressure.
• Worn, bent or loose
• Buildup of grass,
leaves and trash under
mower.
• Mower drive belt worn.
• Blades improperly
installed.
• Improper blades used.
• Clogged mower deck
vent holes from buildup
of grass, leaves, and
trash around mandrels.
Headlight(s) not • Switch is "OFF".
working (if so • Bulb(s) burned out.
equipped) • Faulty light switch.
• Loose or damaged
wiring.
• Blown fuse.
Battery will not charge • Bad battery cell(s).
• Poor cable connections.
• Faulty regulator (if so
equipped).
• Faulty alternator.
Loss of Drive • Freewheel control in
"disengaged" position.
• Motion drive belt worn,
damaged or broken.
• Air trapped in transmiss-
ion during shipment or
servicing.
Engine "backfires" • Engine throttle control
when turning engine not set at "SLOW"
"OFF" position for 30 seconds
before stopping engine.
CORRECTION
• Place throttle control in
"FAST" position.
• Shift to slower speed.
• Allow grass to dry before
mowing.
• Level mower deck.
• Check tires for proper air
pressure.
blade. • Replace/sharpen blade.
Tighten blade bolt.
• Clean underside of mower
housing.
• Replace mower drive belt.
• Reinstall blades sharp edge
down.
• Replace with blades listed
in this manual.
• Clean around mandrels to
open vent holes.
• Turn switch "ON".
• Replace bulb(s).
• Check/replace light switch.
• Check wiring and connec
tions.
• Replace fuse.
• Replace battery.
• Check/clean all connec
tions.
• Replace regulator.
• Replace alternator.
• Place freewheel control in
"engaged" position.
• Replace motion drive belt.
• Purge transmission.
• Move throttle control to
"SLOW" position and allow
to idle for 30 seconds
stopping engine.
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Immediately prepare your tractor for
storage at the end of the season or if the
tractor will not be used for 30 days or
more.
CAUTION: Never store the tractor
with gasoline in the tank inside a
building where fumes may reach an
open flame or spark. Allow the engine to
cool before storing in any enclosure.
TRACTOR
Remove mower from tractor for winter
storage. When mower is to be stored for
a period of time, clean it thoroughly,
remove all dirt, grease, leaves, etc. Store
in a clean, dry area.
• Clean entire tractor (See "CLEANING"
in the Maintenance section of this
manual).
• Inspect and replace belts, if necessary
(See belt replacement instructions in
the Service and Adjustments section of
this manual).
• Lubricate as shown in the Mainte-
nance section of this manual.
• Be sure that all nuts, bolts and screws
are securely fastened. Inspect moving
parts for damage, breakage and wear.
Replace if necessary.
• Touch up all rusted or chipped paint
surfaces; sand lightly before painting.
BATTERY
• Fully charge the battery for storage.
• After a period of time in storage,
battery may require recharging.
• To help prevent corrosion and power
leakage during long periods of
storage, battery cables should be
disconnected and battery cleaned
thoroughly (see "TO CLEAN BATTERY
AND TERMINALS" in the Maintenance
section of this manual).
• After cleaning, leave cables discon-
nected and place cables where they
before cannot come in contact with battery
terminals.
• If battery is removed from tractor for
storage, do not store battery directly on
concrete or damp surfaces.
ENGINE
FUEL SYSTEM
IMPORTANT: It is important to prevent
gum deposits from forming in essential
fuel system parts such as carburetor, fuel
filter, fuel hose, or tank during storage.
Also, experience indicates that alcohol
blended fuels 9called gasohol or using

STORAGE

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.
• Drain the fuel tank.
• Start the engine and let it run until the
fuel lines and carburetor are empty.
• Never use engine or carburetor
cleaner products in the fuel tank or
permanent damage may occur.
• Use fresh fuel next season.
NOTE: Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable
alternative in minimizing the formation of
fuel 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 drain the gas tank
and carburetor if using fuel stabilizer.
ENGINE OIL
Drain oil (with engine warm) and replace
with clean engine oil. (See "ENGINE" in
the Maintenance section of this man-
ual).
CYLINDER(S)
• Remove spark plug(s).
• Pour one ounce of oil through spark
plug hole(s) into cylinder(s).
• Turn ignition key to "START" position
for a few seconds to distribute oil.
• Replace with new spark plug(s).
OTHER
• Do not store gasoline from one season
to another.
• Replace your gasoline can if your can
starts to rust. Rust and/or dirt in your
gasoline will cause problems.
• If possible, store your tractor indoors
and cover it to give protection from
dust and dirt.
• Cover your tractor with a suitable
protective cover that does not retain
moisture. Do not use plastic. Plastic
cannot breathe which allows conden-
sation to form and will cause your
tractor to rust.
IMPORTANT: Never cover tractor while
engine and exhaust areas are still
warm.
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