Craftsman 917.27084 manual Before Starting the Engine

BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE

CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL

shipped, from the factory, already filled

iwithThe enginesummer inweightyourtractoroil. has been Check engine oil with tractor on level

ground.

•Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe clean, reinsert the dipstick and screw cap tight, 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 Mainte- nance section of this manual).

•To change engine oil, see the Mainte- nance section in this manual.

ADD GASOLINE

•Fill 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 in tempera- tures below 32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean winter grade gasoline to help insure good

_Nweather starting.

ARNING: 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 emp- tied 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 informa- tion. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or perma- znt damage may occur.

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

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 engaged position.

•Sit on seat in operating p6sition, depress clutch/brake pedal and set parking brake.

•Place motion control lever in neutral (N) position.

•Move attachment clutch to =DISEN-

GAGED" position.

•Move throttle control to fast position

•Pull choke control out for a cold engine start attempt. For a warm engine start

attempt the choke control may not be needed.

NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting procedures below.

•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 several attempts, push choke control in, wait a few minutes and try again. If engine still does not start, pull the choke control out and retry.

WARM WEATHER STARTING (50 ° F

AND ABOVE)

•When engine starts, slowly push choke control in until the engine begins to run smoothly. If the engine starts to run roughly, pull the choke control out slight- ly for a few seconds and then continue to push the control in slowly.

•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.

COLD WEATHER STARTING (50 ° F AND

BELOW)

•When engine starts, slowly push choke control in until the engine begins to run smoothly. Continue to push the choke control in small steps allowing the engine to accept small changes in speed and load, until the choke control is fully in, If the engine starts to run roughly, pull the choke control out slight- ly for a few seconds and then continue to push the control in slowly. This may require an engine warm-up period from several seconds to several minutes, depending on the temperature.

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