Craftsman 917.27582 owner manual Before Starting the Engine, Towing Carts and Other ATTACH- Ments

Transmission Engaged

02219

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.).

TO OPERATE ON HILLS

WARNING: Do not drive up or down hills with slopes greater than 15° and do not drive across any slope. Use the slope guide at the back of this manual.

• Choose the slowest speed before start- ing up or down hills.

• Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills.

• If slowing is necessary, move throttle control lever to slower position.

• If stopping is absolutely necessary, push clutch/brake pedal quickly to brake posi- tion and engage parking brake.

• Move motion control lever to neutral (N) position.

IMPORTANT: The motion control lever does not return to neutral (N) position when the clutch/brake pedal is depressed.

• To restart movement, slowly release parking brake and clutch/brake pedal.

• Slowly move motion control lever to slowest setting.

• Make all turns slowly.

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 down 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.

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 fi lled with summer weight oil.

1.Check engine oil with tractor on level ground.

2.Remove oil fi ll 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 overfi ll.

•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 fi ller neck. Do not overfi ll. 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 fl ame.

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 separation and formation of acids during storage. Acid- ic 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

15products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.