Craftsman 917.25023 Operator's Manual page 14

BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL
The engine in your tractor has beenshipped,
from the factory, already filled with summer
weight oil.
1. Check engine oil with tractor on level
ground.
2, Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe
clean, reinsertthe dipstick and screw cap
tight, wait for afew seconds, remove and
read oil level. If necessary, add oil until
"FULE' mark on dipstick is reached. Do
not overfill.
• For cold weather operation you should
change oil for easier starting (See the oil
viscosity chart in the Maintenance section
of this manual).
° Tochange engine oil, seethe Maintenance
section in this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do
not overfill. Use fresh, clear,, 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 ensure fuel
freshness,
_!IbGAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel,
Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an
open flame.
IMPORTANT: When operating in tem-
peratures below 32°F(0°G), use fresh, clean
winter grade gasoline to heJp ensure good
cold weather starting.
CAUTION: 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 fuet 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 Instruc-
tions for additional information. Never use
engine or carburetor cleaner products in the
fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.
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.
t. Siton seatin operating position, depress
clutch/brake pedal and set parkingbrake.
2, Place gear shift lever in neutral position.
3. Move attachment clutch to disengaged
position.
4, Move throttle control to choke position.
NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and
cold starting procedures below.
5. 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, move
throttle control to fast position, wait a
few minutes and try again, tf engine still
does not start, move the throttle control
back to the choke position and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING
(50° F/I0 ° C and above)
6. When engine starts, move the throttle
control to the fast position.
• The attachments and ground drive can
now be used. Ifthe 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/10 ° C and below)
7. When engine starts, leave throttle control
in choke position until engine warms up
and begins to run roughly. Once rough
running begins, immediately move the
throttle control to thefast position. Engine
warm-up may take from several seconds
to several minutes (the colder the tem-
perature, the longer the warm-up).
• The attachments can also be used during
the engine warm-up period.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet)
or in cold temperatures (below 32°F/0°C)
the carburetor fuel mixture may need to be
adjusted for best engine performance (see
'q-O ADJUST CARBU RETOR"in the Service
and Adjustments section of this manual).
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