Craftsman 917.275241 Owner's Manual page 18

AWARNING: Experience indicates !hat
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 for additional information. Never
use engine or carburetor cleaner products in
the fuel tank 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.
OVERTEMP LIGHT
Located on the dash of your tractor, this light
alerts you to the engine being overheated
which requires immediate attention.
• Light should come on when engine is not
running and the key switch is in "ON"
position, this is a test to be sure the light is
working.
• If light comes on while operating the
engine, stop the engine. Find and correct
the problem. See "Engine Overheats" in
the Trouble Shooting
section of this manual.
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
transmission engaged position.
2. Sit on seat in operating position,
depress brake pedal and set parking
brake.
3. Move attachment clutch to "DISEN-
GAGED" position.
4. Move throttle control to fast position
5. 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.
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 WEATHER STARTING (50 ° F and
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 it to
warm up for one minute using the choke
as described above.
COLD WEATHER STARTING (50 ° F and
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, until the
choke control is fully in. If the engine
starts to run roughly, pull the choke
control out slightly for a few seconds
and then continua to push the control
in slowly. This may require an engine
warm-up period from several seconds
to several minutes, depending on the
temperature.
NOTE: In extreme cold conditions, if
engine will not start you may need to
disengage the motion drive belt as
follows:
1. Be sure parking brake is engaged.
2. Remove retainer spring from the drive
belt tension handle to relieve belt
tension.
3. Start engine and allow it to warm up
for three (3) minutes.
4. Shut-off engine and engage parking
brake.
5. Engage drive belt tension handle and
replace the retainer spring.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
Before driving the unit in cold weather,
the transmission should be warmed up as
follows:
1. Be sure the tractor is on level ground.
2. Place the motion control lever in
neutral. Release the parking brake
and let the brake slowly return to
operating position.
3. Allow one minute for transmission to
warm up. This can be done during the
18 engine warm up period.