Craftsman 917.2933 owner manual To Start Engine, Tilling Hints

,_kCAUTION; Fill to within 1/2 inch of top

of fuel tank to prevent spills and to allow for fuel expansion. If gasoline is acciden- tally spilled, move machine away from area of spill. Avoid creating any source of ignition until gasoline vapors have disap-

peared.

Do not overfill. Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame.

TO START ENGINE

,_CAUTION: Keep tine control in "OFF" position when starting engine.

When starting engine for the first time or if engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra pulls of the recoil starter to move fuel from the tank to the engine.

=Make sure spark plug wire is properly connected and access cover is com-

pletely closed to create proper seal.

oMove shift lever indicator to "N" (neutral)

position.

oPlace throttle control in "FAST" position. o Turn fuel shut-off valve to "ON" position.

o Push stop switch to "ON" position. o Move choke control to full "CHOKE"

position. Grasp recoil starter handle with one hand and grasp tiller handle with other hand. Pull rope out slowly until engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this point).

•Pull recoil starter handle quickly. Do not let starter handle snap back against starter. Repeat if necessary.

Choke Control

Starter

Handle

1/4Turn {_ I t_	}),	Switch
Counter- _{L_.J,JJ),/-_
Ctockwise'.---_-"

Fuel shut-off Valve

°If engine fires but does not start, move choke control to half choke position. Pull recoil starter handle until engine starts.

•When engine starts, slowly move choke control to "RUN" position as engine warms up.

NOTE: A warm engine requires less chok- ing to start.

°Move throttle control to desired running position°

o Allow engine to warm up for a few min- utes before engaging tines.

NOTE: If at a high altitude (3000 feet) or in cold temperatures (below 32°F), the car- buretor fuel mixture may need to be adjusted for best engine performance.

See "TO ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the

Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

NOTE: If engine does not start, see trou- bleshooting points.

TILLING HINTS

_IkCAUTION: Until you are accustomed to handling your tiller, start actual field use with throttle in slow position (mid-way between "FAST" and "iDLE").

°Tilling is digging into, turning over, and breaking up packed soil before planting. Loose, unpacked soil helps root growth. Best tilling depth is 4" to 6". A tiller will also clear the soil of unwanted vegeta- tion. The decomposition of this veg- etable matter enriches the soil. Depending on the climate (rainfall and wind), it may be advisable to till the soil at the end of the growing season to fur- ther condition the soil.

o Soil conditions are important for proper tilling. Tines will not readily penetrate dry, hard soil which may contribute to excessive bounce and difficult handling of your tiller. Hard soil should be mois- tened before tilling; however, extremely

wet soil will "bali-up" or clump during till- ing. Wait until the soil is less wet in order

to achieve the best results. When tilling in the fall, remove vines and long grass to prevent them from wrapping around the tine shaft and slowing your tilling operation.

°You will find tilling much easier if you leave a row untilled between passes. Then go back between tilled row& There are two reasons for doing this. First, wide turns are much easier to negotiate than about-faces. Second, the tiller

won'tbe pulling itself, and you, toward the row next to it.

=Do not lean on handle. This takes

weight off the wheels and reduces trac- tion.

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