Craftsman 917-299751 Owner's Manual page 12

OPERATION
TO START ENGINE (See Fig, 13)
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"OFF" posltlon when starting engine
........... ............
* Make sure spark plug wire is propedy connected°
. Move shift lever indicator to "N" (neutral) position.
. Place throttte control in "FAST" position°
. Place choke control in "CHOKE" positionif the engine
iscoidoAwarm engine may not require choking to start.
. Grasp starter handle with one hand and grasp the tiller
with other hand. Pull rope out slowly until engine
reaches start of compression cycle (rope will pull
slightly harder at this point).
. Pull rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. Keep
a firm gdP on starter handle and let rope rewind slowly.
Do not let starter handle snap back against starter.
. When engine starts, slowly move choke control on
engine halfway between 'CHOKE" and "RUN" posi-
tions and then to "RUN" position as engine warms up,
. Move throttle control to desired running position.
. Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before
engaging tines.
NOTE: If at a high attitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold
temperatures (beIow 32°t=), the carburetor fuel mixture
may need to be adjusted for best engine performance. See
"TO ADJUST CARBURETOR in the Service and Adjust-
ments section of this manual
SPARK
PLUG _-,_=_ _ CHOKE
RECOIL STARTER / _ _---_
HANDLE
FIG. 13
TILLING HINTS
............................... i i i,i, l/ i H i,,,,
CAUTION: Untilyou areaccustomed to
handling your tiller, start actual field
use with thro_!e In slow position (told-
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 vegetation. The
decomposition of this vegetable matter enriches the
soil, Depending on the climate (rainfall and wind), it
may be advisable to till the soil atthe end of the growing
season to further condition the soil.
• Soil cond itions are importantfor proper tilling. Tines wilt
not readity penetrate dry, hard soil which may contrib-
ute to excessive bounce and difficult handling of your
tiller, Hard soil should be moistened before tilling;
however, extremely wet soi! wilt "ball-up" or clump
during tilling, Wait until the soil is less wet in order to
achieve the best results. When tilling inthe fall, remove
vines and long grass to prevent them from wrapping
around the tine shaft and slowing your tilling operation.
• For easier handling of your tiller, leave about 8 inches
of untilled soil between the first and second tilling
passes. The third pass will be between the first and
second (See Fig. 14).
° Do not lean on handle.. This takes weight off the wheels
and reduces traction. To get through a really tough
section of sod or hard ground, apply upward pressure
on handle or lower the depth stake.
3
FIG. 14
TINE SHEAR PINS
The line assemblies on your tiller are secured to the line
shaft with shear pins (See "TINE REPLACEMENT" in the
Service and Adjustments section of this manual).
If the tiller is unusually overloaded or jammed, the shear
pins are designed to break before internal damage occurs
to the transmission.
• If shear pin (s) break, replace only with those shown in
the Repair Parts section of this manual.
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