Sears 917.25049 - Manual (Page 15)

OPERATION
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig. 10 )
" The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the
factory, already filied with summer weight oil.
<• Check engine oil with tractor on level ground,
«■ Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe clean, reinsert the
dipstick and push if all the way down into the tube, 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 "OIL VISCOSITY CHART in the
Customer Responsibilities section of this manual).
“ To change engine oil, see the Customer Responsibili­
ties section in this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
« Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded
gasoline. (Use of leaded gasoline will increase carbon
and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life).
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES
BELOW aaTfO-C), use fresh , clean winter grade
GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER
STARTING,
WARNING; 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 emptied before stor­
age 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.
A
CAUTION: Fill 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 (See Fig. 6 )
When starting engine for the first time or if engine has run
out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move fuel from
the tank to the engine.
» Depress clutch/brake pedal and set parking brake.
" Place motion control lever in neutral (N) position.
« Move attachment clutch to “DISENGAGED" position.
» Pull choke control out to choke (1\|) position for cold
engine start. For warm engine start do not use choke
control.
» Move throttle control to midway between fast (4») and
stow (*•») positions.
« Insertkeyintoignitionandturn 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 engine does not start after
several attempts, move throttle control to fast {*^)
position, wait a few minutes and try again.
• When engine starts, slowty push choke control in.
• Move throttle control to fast (%) position.
« Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before
engaging drive or attachments.
IMPORTANT: COLD STARTING FOR HYDRO (BELOW
40°F) - AFTER STARTING ENGINE AND BEFORE
DRIVING, LET TRANSMISSION WARM UP FOR (1)
MINUTE BY PLACING MOTION CONTROL LEVER IN
NEUTRAL AND RELEASING CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL,
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 Adjust­
ments section of this manual.
15