Craftsman 917.259592 Add Gasoline, TO START ENGINE See Fig, Purge Transmission, Operation

OPERATION

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ADD GASOLINE

oFill fuel tank.. Use fresh, clean, 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 tN TEMPERATURES

BELOW 32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE GASOLINE TO HELP iNSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER

STARTING

WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol btended 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,, [',leveruse engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.

filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any spilledCAUTION:oil or Fillfuel.to Dobottomnot store,ofgasspilltankor use gasoline near an open frame,

TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 8)

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 en- gaged position.

oSit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake pedal and set parking brake_

-Place 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.

oInsert 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 sec- onds per minute. If the engine does not start after several 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)

°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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COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50° F and below)

oWhen engine starts, allow engine to run with the throttle control in the choke 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 tem- perature.

HYDROSTATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP

oBefore driving the unit in cold weather, the transmis- sion should be warmed up as follows:

. Be sure the tractor is on level ground..

. Place the motion control (ever in neutral..

Release the parking brake and let the clutch/brake slowly return to operating position°

oAllow one minute for transmission to warm up. This can be done during the engine warm up period.

oThe 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

I	freewheel	lever while the engine is run-	I
	ning.	. .................

To ensure proper operation and performance, it is recom- mended that the transmission be purged before operating

tractor for the first time, This procedure will remove any trapped air inside the transmission which may have devel- oped during shipping of your tractor

IMPORTANT: SHOULD YOURTRANSMISSION REQUIRE REMOVAL FOR SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT, IT SHOULD BE PURGED AFTER REINSTALLATION BEFORE OPERATING THE TRACTOR

oPlace tractor 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 manua!)o

oSitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine is running, move throttle control to slow position With motion control lever 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.

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