Craftsman 917.289071, 917.289072, 917.289070 owner manual Beforestartingthe Engine

BEFORESTARTINGTHE 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.Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe clean, reinsertthe dipstick and screw cap tight, wait for a few seconds, remove and read oil level. If necessary, add oil until "FUL[L'mark on dipstick is reached. Do not overfill.

For cold weather operation you should change oil for easier starting (See the oil viscosity chart inthe Maintenance section of this manual).

To change engine oil, see the Maintenance section in this manual.

ADD GASOLINE

*Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do not

overfill. Usefresh, clean, regutar 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 ensure fuel freshness.

_kCAUTION: 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 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 linesand carburetorare empty. Usefresh

fuel next season. See Storage Instructions for additional information. Never use engine

orcarburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.

3.Move attachment clutch to disengaged position.

4.Move throttle control to choke position. NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting procedures below.

5.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/10°C and above)

6.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 toad, restart the engine and allow it to warm up for one minute using the choke as described above.

COLD WEATHER STARTING (50°F/10°C and below)

6.When engine starts, leave throttle control in choke position until engine warms up and begins to run roughly. Once rough running begins, immedi- ately move the throttle control to the fast position. Engine warm-up may take from several seconds to several

minutes (the colder the temperature, the longer the warm-up).

*The attachments can also be used dur- ing the engine warm-up period.

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).

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

2.Place gear shift lever in neutral (N)

position.15