Attachments; Before Starting The Engine; Add Gasoline; To Start Engine - Craftsman 917.273011 Owner's Manual

ATTACHMENTS
Tow only the attachments that are recom-
mended by and complywith specifications
of the-manufacturerof your tractor. Use
common sense when towing. Too heavy of
a load, while on a slope, is dangerous.
Tires can lose tractionwith the ground and
cause you to lose controlof your tractor.
• 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.
• Unthread and remove oil fill cap/dip
stick; wipe oil off. Reinsert the dipstick
into the tube and rest oil fill cap on the
tube/D_'n0-t ti_'readthe cap onto the
tube. Remove and read oil level. If nec-
essary, 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 Customer
Responsibilities section of this manual).
• To change engine oil, see the Customer
Responsibilities 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.
IMPORTANT: When operating in tempera-
tures below32°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
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 emp-
tied before stora,(]e of 30 days or longer.
Drain the gas tank, start the engine and let
it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are
empty.i_,fres_fuel next season. See
Stor_'ge-I_tmct_ns for additional
,, .u,, ,,*-,uus m. i _uvur use engine or
carburetor cleanerproducts in the fuel
k 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.
• Sit on seat in operating position,
depress clutch/brake pedal and set
parking brake.
• Place gear shift lever in neutral (N)
position.
• Move attachment clutchto =DISEN-
GAGED" position.
• Move throttle controlto 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.
16