Sears 917.25953 - Manual (Page 14)

OPERATION
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, dean, 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.
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES
BELOW 32“F(0"C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE
GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER
STARTING
WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol blended
fuels (called gasoho! 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 fue! system should be emptied before stor­
age of 30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the
engine and let it run until the fuei 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
CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank
filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any
spitted oil or fuei. Do not store, spill or
use gasoline near an open flame.
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 9)
When starting the engine for the first time or if the engine
has run out of fuei, it will take extra cranking time to move
fuel from the tank to the engine.
« Be sure freewheel contro! is in the transmission en­
gaged position.
* Sit on seat in operating position, depress clulch/brake
pedal and set parking brake.
* Piace motion control lever in neutral (N) position.
* Move attachment clutch to ''DISENGAGED” position.
* Move throttle control to choke (|\|) position.
Note: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting
procedures below.
* i nsert key into ignition and tu rn key clockwise to “START”
position and release key as soon as engine starts. Do
not run starter continuously for more than fifteen sec­
onds per' minute. If the engine does not start after
several attempts, move throttle control to fast (4»)
position, wait a few minutes and try again, if engine still
does not start, move the throttle control back to the
choke (|\1) position and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50° F and above)
* When engine starts, move the throttle conlro! to the fast
{4?} position.
* The attachments and ground drive can now be used. If
the engine does not accept the ioad, restart the engine
and aiiow it to warm up for one minute using the choke
as described above.
COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50° F and below)
" When engine starts, allow engine to run with the throttle
control in the choke (|\j) position until the engine runs
roughly, then move throttle control to fast (<%) position.
This may require an engine warm-up period from
several seconds to several minutes, depending on the
temperature..
HYDROSTATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
» Before driving the unit in cold weather, the transmission
should be warmed up as follows:
• Be sure the tractor is on level ground.
' Place the motion control lever in neutral. Release
the parking brake and let the clutch/brake
slowly return to operating position.
» Allow one minute for transmission to warm up. This
can be done during the engine warm up period.
• The attachments can also be used during the engine
warm-up period after the transmission has been warmed
up.
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 Adjustments
section of this manual.
PURGE TRANSMISSION
CAUTION: Never engage or disengage
freewheel lever while the engine is run­
ning.
To ensure proper operation and performance, it is recom­
mended that the transmission be purged before operating
tractor for the first lirne. This procedure will remove any
trapped air inside the transmission which may have devel­
oped during shipping of your tractor.
IMPORTANT: SHOULD YOUR TRANSMISSION REQUIRE
REMOVAL
FOR SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT, IT
SHOULD BE PURGED AFTER REINSTALLATION
BEFORE OPERATING THE TRACTOR,
« Place tr actor safely on level surface with engine off and
parking brake set.
" Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control
in freewheeling position (See “TO TRANSPORT" in
this section of manual).
" Silting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine
is running, move throttle control to slow (* *^) position.
With motion controi ievsr 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.
» Move motion control ieverto 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).
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