Craftsman 917.272464 - Manual (Page 15)

Transmission Engaged
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Transmission Disengaged
NOTE: To protect hood from damage
when transporting your tractor on a truck
or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and
secured to tractor. Use an appropriate
means of tying hood to tractor (rope, cord,
etc.).
TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACH­
MENTS
Tow only the attachments that are
recommended 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.
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 neces­
sary, 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, see the Mainte­
nance section in this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler
neck. Do not overfill. Use fresh, 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. Purchase
fuel in quantities that can be used
within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.
ACAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
near an open flame.
15
IMPORTANT: When operating in tem­
peratures below 32“F(0“C), use fresh,
clean winter 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 fuef
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.
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 clutch/brake pedal and set
parking brake.
3. Place motion control lever in neutral
(N) position.
4. Move attachment clutch to disengaged
position.
5. Move throttle control to fast position
6. 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.
7. 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)
8. 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.