To Transport; Before Starting The Engine; Check Engine Oil Level; Add Gasoline - Craftsman 917.256571 Owner's Manual

OPERATION
ATTACHMENT CLUTCH
LEVER "DISENGAGED"
POSITION
HEIGHT
ADJUSTMENT
KNOB
"ENGAGED"
POSITION ATTACHMENT
HIGH POSITION
DISCHARGE
GUARD
FIG. 9
TO OPERATE ON HILLS
* Choose the slowest speed before starting uu or down
hills.
° Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills.
- If slowing _snecessary, move throttle control lever to
slower position.
- If stoppfng is absolutely necessary, push clutch/brake
pedal quickly to brake positior and engage parking
brake.
° Move motion control lever to neutral (N) oosition.
IMPORTANT: THE MOTION CONTROL LEVER DOES
NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL (N) POSITION WHEN THE
CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
, TO restart movement, slowly release parking Icrake and
clutch/brake pedal.
° Slowly move motion control lever to slowest setting.
, Make all turns slowly.
TO TRANSPORT (See Fig. 10)
When pushing or tow ng your tracto r, be sure to disengage
transmission by placing freewheel control in freewheeling
position. Free wheel control is located at the rear drawbar
of tractor.
Raise attachment lift to highest position with attach-
ment lift control.
= Pull freewheel control knob out and hold in position by
inserting retainer spring into forward hole of control rod.
. Do not push or tow tractor at more than two (2) MPH.
. To reengage transmission, reverse above procedure.
NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transporting
your tractor on a truck or a trailer, be sure hood is closed
and secured to tractor, Use an appropriate means of tying
hood to tractor (rope, cord, etc.).
FIG; 10
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig. 15)
- The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the
factory, already filled with summer weight oil.
o Check engine oil with tractor on level ground.
= Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe clean, remsert the
dipstick and screw cad tight, wait for a few seconds,
remove anc 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
Customer Responsibilities section of this manual).
o To change engine oil, see the Customer Responsibili-
ties 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 ]N TEMPERATURES
BELOW 32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE
GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER
STARTING.
WARNING: Experience indicates that aicohot blended
fuels (called gasohot 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 stor-
age of 30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the
engine ant let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are
empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage Instruc-
tions for additional information. Never use engine or
carburetor cleaner products in the fue! tank or permanent
damage may occur.
_i_ CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank I
I AlL,IlL filler neck. Donotoverfiil. Wipeoffany i
J D spilled oil.or fueL Do not store, spilior
use gasoline near an open flame. _
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 8)
When starting engine for the first time or if engine has run
out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move fuel from
the tank to the engine.
• Depress c_utchibrake pedal and set parking brake.
• Place gearshift Iever in neutral (N) position.
• Move attachment clutch to "DISENGAGED" position,
- Pull choke control out to choke (\1) position for cold
eng ne start. For warm eng ne start do not use choke
control.
° Move throttle control to midway between fast (._) and
slow (,_) positions.
° Insert keyinto 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 engine does not start after
several attempts_ move throttle control to fast (,_)
position, wait a few minutes and try again.
. When engine starts, slowly push choke control in.
- Move throttle control to fast (,_) position_
• Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before
engaging drive or attachments.
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