Check Engine Oil Level - Craftsman 917.27224 Owner's Manual

TOWING CARTS A ND OTHER ATTACH-
MENTS
Tow only the attachments thatare
recommended byend comply w ith
specifications ofthemanufacturer ofyour
tractor. Use common sense w hen t owing.
Toe heavy o fa loud, w hile ona slope, is
dangerous. Tires canlose traction with
the ground e nd cause y outolose control
ofyour t ractor.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL
The engine i nyour t ractor h asbeen
shipped, from thefactory, already filled
with summer weight oil.
1. Check e ngine o ilwith tractor onlevel
ground.
2. Unthread andremove oil
fill cap/
dipstick;wipe oil off. Reinsert the
dipstickinto the tube and rest oil fill
cap on the tube. Do not thread the
cap onto the tube. 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). De not
mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel in
quantities that can be used within 30
days to assure fuel freshness.
IMPORTANT: When operating in tem-
peratures below 320F(0°C), use fresh,
clean winter grade gasoline to help
insure good cold weather starting.
•,WARNING: Experience indicates that
alcohol blended fuels (called gasehol 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 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
next season. See Storage Instructionsfor
additional information. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur.
_CAUTION: Fill 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 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.
1. Be sure freewheel control is in the
transmission engaged position.
2. Sit on seat in operating position,
depress brake pedal and set parking
brake.
3. Move attachment clutch to "DISEN-
GAGED" position.
4. Move throttle control to fast position
5. 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.
6. Insert key into ignition and turn key
clockwise to =START" position and
release key as soon as engine starts.
Do not run starter continuouslyfor
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 net start, pull the
choke control out and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50° F and
above)
7. When engine starts, slowly push
choke control in until the engine
begins to run smoothly. If the engine
starts to run roughly, pullthe choke
control out slightly 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)
7. When engine starts, slowly push
choke control in until the engine
begins to run smoothly. CenUnue 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 slightly for a few seconds
and then contl'nueto push the control
in slowly. This may require an engine
warm-up pedod from several seconds
to several minutes, depending on the
16 temperature.