Craftsman 917.273481 manual Before Starting the Engine, Towing Carts and Other ATTACH- Ments

Transmission Engaged

Transmission Disengaged

TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACH- MENTS

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.

1.Check engine oil with tractor on level ground.

2.Unthread and remove oil fill cap/ dipstick; wipe oil off. Reinsert the dipstick into the tube and rest oil fill

cap on the tube. Do not thread the cap onto the tube. 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 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 in- crease carbon and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life). Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quanti- ties that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.

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

IMPORTANT: When operating in tempera- tures 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 separa- tion 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 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.

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 brake pedal and set parking brake.

3.Move attachment clutch to disengaged position.

4.Move throttle control to choke position. NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting procedures below.

5.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 sev- eral attempts, move throttle control to fast position, wait a few minutes and try again. If engine still does not start, move the throttle control back to the choke position and retry.

WARM WEATHER STARTING (50 ° F and above)

6.When engine starts, move the throttle control to the fast position.

•The attachments and ground drive can now be used. If the engine does not accept the load, restart the engine and

allow it to warm up for one minute using the choke as described above.

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