Operation; Carburetor; Engine - Craftsman 917.252711 Owner's Manual

OPERATION
ADD GASOUNE
o Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded
gasoline. (Useof leaded gasolinewill increasecarbon
and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life).
mMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES
BELOW32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE
GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER
STARTING.
WARNING: Experience indicates that atcohot 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 stoF
age 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 fue! tank or permanent
damage may occur.
CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank
filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any
spilled oil or fuet. Do not store, spill or
use gasoline near an open flame.
TO START ENGmNE
(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 fue! from
the tank to the engine.
Depress clutch/brake pedal and set parking brake.
Place motion control lever in neutral (N) position.
o Move attachment clutch to "DISENGAGED" position.
o Pull choke control out to choke
(!\1)
position for cold
engine start. For warm engine start do not use choke
control.
Move throttle control to midway between fast (_) and
stow (_) positions.
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 engine does not start after
several al_empts, move throttle control to Past (@)
position, wait a few minutes and try again.
* When engine starts, slowly push choke control in.
® Move throttle control to fast (,¢_) position.
o Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before
engaging drive or attachments.
IMPORTANT: COLD STARTING FOR HYDRO (BELOW
40°F) -
AFTER STARTING ENGINE AND BEFORE
DRIVING, LET TRANSMISSION WARM UP FOR ONE (1)
MINUTE BY PLACING MOTION CONTROL LEVER IN
NEUTRAL (N) POSITION AND RELEASING CLUTCH/
BRAKE PEDAL.
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 CARBURETOR" in the Service and Adjust-
ments section of this manual.
PURGE TRANSMISSION
& CAUT!ON: Neverengageordisengage
freewhee_ _ever whi_e the engine is run-
nit, go :_
To ensure proper operation and performance, it is recorr
mended that the transmission be purged before operatin!:!
tractor for the first time. This procedure wilt remove any
trapped air inside the transmission which may have devei-
oped during shipping of your tractor.
IMPORTANT: SHOULD YOUR TRANSMISSION REQUIRL
REMOVAL FOR SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT. !
SHOULD BE PURGED AFTER REtNSTALLATiON
BEFORE OPERATING THE TRACTOR.
o Place tractor safely on level surface with engine off and
parking brake set.
Disengage transmission by placing freewheel contro
in freewheeling position (See "TO TRANSPORT" i_'
this section of manual).
, Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine
is running, move throttle control to slow (,,_) position.
With motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly
disengage clutch/brake pedal.
, Move motion control lever to full forward position and
hold for five (5) seconds. Move lever to full reverse
position and hold for five (5) seconds. Repeat this
procedure three (3) times.
NOTE: During this procedure there will be no movement of
drive wheels. The air is being removed from hydraulic drive
system.
o Move motion control lever to neutral (N) position. Shut
off engine and set parking brake.
, Engage transmission by placing freewheel control in
driving position (See "TO TRANSPORT" in this section
of manual).
, Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine
is running, move throttle control to half (1/2) speed
With motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly
disengage clutch/brake pedal.
* Slowly move motion control lever forward, after the
tractor moves approximately five (5) feet, slowly move
motion control lever to reverse position. After the
tractor moves approximately five (5) feet return the
motion control lever to the neutral (N) position. Repeat
this procedure with the motion control lever three (3)
times.
Your tractor is now purged and now ready for normai
operation.
15