To Start Engine - Craftsman 917.288341 Operator's Manual

ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do not
overfill. Usefresh, 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.
Purchasefuel in quantitiesthat can be used
within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.
ACAUTION: Wipe offany spilled oil or fuel.
Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an
open flame.
IMPORTANT: When operating in tempera-
tures below32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean win-
ter grade gasoline to help insure 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 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 Instructions
foradditional information. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in the fueltank
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.
1. Be sure freewheel control is in the trans-
mission engaged position.
2. Sit on seat in operating position, depress
brake pedal and set parking brake.
3. Move attachment clutch to disengaged
position.
4. Move throttle control to fast position
5. Pull chokecontrolout for acold 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 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 WEATH ER STARTI N G (50 ° F &above)
7. 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 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 itto
warm up for one minute using the choke
as described above.
CO LD WEATH E R STARTING (50 ° F & below)
7. When engine starts, slowly push choke
control in until the engine begins to run
smoothly. Continue to push the choke
control in small steps allowing the engine
to accept small changes in speed and
load, untilthe choke control is fully in. If the
engine starts to run roughly, pull the choke
control out slightly for a few seconds and
then continueto pushthecontrol in slowly.
This may require an engine warm-up
period from several seconds to several
minutes, depending on the temperature.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
Before driving the unit in cold weather, the
transmission should bewarmed up asfollows:
1. Be sure the tractor is on level ground.
2. Release the parking brake and let the
brake slowly return to operating posi-
tion.
3. Allow one minute for transmission to
warm up. This can be done during the
engine warm up period.
The attachments can be used during
the engine warm-up period after the
transmission has been warmed up and
may require the choke control be pulled
out slightly.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000
feet) or in cold temperatures (below 32 F)
the carburetor fuel mixture may need to be
adjusted for best engine performance (see
"TO ADJUST CAR BU R ETO R"in the Service
and Adjustments section of this manual).
PURGETRANSMISSION
ACAUTION: Never engage or disengage
freewheel lever while the engine is running.
To ensure proper operation and performance,
it is recommended that the transmission be
purged before operating tractor for the first
time. This procedure will remove any trapped
air inside the transmission which may have
developed during shipping of your tractor.
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