Craftsman 917.27528 owner manual Before Starting the Engine

TO TRANSPORT

When pushing or towing your tractor, be sure to disengage transmission by placing freewheel control in freewheeling position. Freewheel control is located at the rear drawbar of tractor.

1.Raise attachment lift to highest position with attachment lift control.

2.Pull freewheel control out and into the slot and release so it is held in the disengaged position.

•Do not push or tow tractor at more than two (2) MPH.

•To re-engage transmission, reverse above procedure.

Transmission Engaged

Transmission Disengaged

NOTE: To protect hood from damage when

transporting your tractor on a truck or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and secured to tractor. Use an appropriate means of tying hood to tractor (rope, cord, etc.).

TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACH- MENTS

Tow only the attachments that are recommended 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. 5res 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 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 quantities 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

temperatures below32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean winter grade gasoline to help insure good cold weather starting.

_I_CAUTION: 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 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 "disen- gage" position.

4.Move throttle control to fast position

5.Pull choke control out for a cold engine start attempt. For a warm engine start attempt the choke control may not be needed.

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