Craftsman 917.273401 owner manual ADD Gasoline, To Start Engine, Automatic Transmission Warm UP

•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 increase 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 clutch/brake pedal and set parking brake.

3.Place motion control lever in neutral

(N)position.

4.Move attachment clutch to disengaged position.

5.Move throttle control to choke position.

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

6.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, 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)

7.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.

COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50 ° F and below)

7.When 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 temperature.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP

Before driving the unit in cold weather,

the transmission should be warmed up as follows:

1.Be sure the tractor is on level ground.

2.Place the motion control lever in neutral. Release the parking brake and let the clutch/brake slowly return to operating position.

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

•The attachments can also be used dur-

ing 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.)

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