Add Gasoline; To Start Engine - Craftsman 917.280152 Operator's Manual

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.
I. Check engine oil with tractor on level
ground,
2. Remove oil fi{t cap/dipstick and wipe
clean, reinsertthe dipstick and screwcap
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).
• To change engine oil, see the Maintenance
section in this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fi_t fuel tank to bottom of filler 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
,,30 days to ensure fuel freshness.
• IbCAUTION: Wipe offany spilled oil orfuel.
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 ofacids 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 instruc-
tions for additional information. Never use
engine or carburetor cleaner products in the
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 t0 minutes after adding
stabilizer to allow the stabilizer to reach the
carburetor. Do not empty the gas tank and
carburetor if using fuel stabilizer.
15
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 fue! from the
tank to the engine.
1. Siton seat in operating position, depress
clutch/brake pedal and set parking
brake,
2. Place gearshift 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 net run
starter continuously for more than fifteen
seconds per minute, tf the engine does
not start after several attempts, move
throttle control to fast position, wait a
few minutes and try again. If engine still
does not start, move the throttle control
back to the choke position and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50°F (10°C)
and above)
6. When engine starts, move the throttle
control to the fast position.
• 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,
COLD WEATHER STARTING (50°F (10°C)
and below)
6. 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 the fast position. Engine
warm-up maytake from several seconds
to several minutes (the colder the tem-
perature, the longer the warm-up).
• The attachments can atso be used during
the engine warm-up period.