Craftsman 917.273060 - Manual (Page 16)

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.).
' -/ti
4
-iR
TOWING CARTS AND OTHER
ATTACHMENTS
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.
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.
• Check engine oil with tractor on level
grourtd.
• Unthread and remove oil fill cap/dip;-
stick; wipe oil off. Reinsert the dipstick
into the tube and rest oil fill cap on the
tube. Do not thread the onto the
tube. Remove and read oil level. If nec­
essary, add oil until “FULL” mark on
di{>stick is reached. Do not overfill.
• For cold weather operatiortyou should
dhange oil for easier starting (See “OIL
VISCOSITY CHART" in the Customer
Responsibilities section of this manual).
• To change engine oil, see the
Maintenance section in this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
• Rll fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unfeaded gasoline with a minimum of 87
octane. (Use of leaded gasoline will
increase carborf and lead oxide
deposits and reduce valve life). Do not
mix oil with gasoline. Purchaseiuel in
Q uantities that can be used within 30
ays to assure fuel freshness.
IMPORTANT: When operating in tempera­
tures below 32'’F(0“C), use fresh, clean
winter grade gasoline to help insure good
cold weather starting.
A w ARNING; Experience indicates that
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 emp­
tied 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.
A ca UTION: Rll 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.
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.
• Be sure freewheel control is in the
transmission engaged position.
• Sit on seat in operating position,
depress clutchAjrake pedal and set
paridng brake.
• Place motion control lever in neutral (N)
position.
• Move attachment clutch to “DISEN­
GAGED” position.
• Move throttle control to fast position
• 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.
• 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.
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