Add Gasoline; Towing Carts And Other Attachments; Service Minder/Hour Meter; Before Starting The Engine - Craftsman 917.20390 Operator's Manual

TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACH-
MENTS
Tow only the attachments that are recom-
mended by and comply with specifications
of the manufacturer of your tractor. Use
common sense when towing. Too heavy of
a load, while on a slope, is dangerous. Tires
can lose traction with the ground and cause
you to lose control of your tractor.
SERVICE MINDER/HOUR METER
Service minder shows the total number of
hours the engine has run and indicates when
the engine or mower needs servicing. After
every 50 hours of operation the oil can icon
will stay on for 2 hours or until a manual reset
occurs. To reset the display manually turn
the ignition switch to the on position, then
the off position five times (1 second on, 1
second off). To service engine and mower,
see the Maintenance section of this manual.
NOTE: Service minder runs when the
ignition key is in any position but "STOP".
For accurate reading, be sure key remains
in the "STOP" position when engine is not
running.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OiL LEVEL
The engine in your tractor has been shipped
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, reinsert the dipstick and screw cap
tight, wait for a few seconds, remove and
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 the oil
viscosity chart in the Maintenance section
of this manual).
• To change engine oil, seethe Maintenance
section in this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of fitter neck. Do
not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular
gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane.
Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase
fuel in quantities that can be used within
0 days to ensure fuel freshness.
CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel.
Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an
open flame.
IMPORTANT: When operating in tempera-
tures below 32°F (0°C), use fresh, clean
winter grade gasoline to help 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 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 tnstruc-
tions for additional information. Never use
engine or carburetor cleaner products inthe
fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.
Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable alternative in
minimizing the formation of fuel gum deposits
during storage. Add stabilizer to gasoline in
fuel tank or storage container. Always follow
the mix ratio found on stabilizer container.
Run engine at least 10 minutes after adding
stabilizer to allow the stabilizer to reach the
carburetor. Do not empty the gas tank and
carburetor if using fuel stabilizer.
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. Ensure freewheel control is in the trans-
mission engaged position.
2. Siton seatin operating position, depress
brake pedal and set parking brake.
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.
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