Craftsman 917.29331 owner manual To Start Engine, Tilling Hints

_CAUTION: Fill to within 1/2 inch of top of fuel tank to prevent spills and to allow for fuel expansion, if gasoline is accideno tally spilled, move machine away from area of spill. Avoid creating any source of

ignition until gasoline vapors have disap- peared.

Do not overfill. Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame.

TO START ENGINE

,_.CAUTION: Keep drive control bar in =DISENGAGED" position when starting en-

gwine.

hen starting engine for the first time or if engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra pulls of the recoil starter to move fuel from the tank to the engine.

•Make sure spark plug wire is'properly connected.

•Move shift lever indicator to_'N"(neutral) position.

•Place throttle control in =FAST" position.

•Turn fuel shut-off valve 1/4 turn to OPEN

position.,,

•Move choke control to CHOKE position.

•Grasp recoil starter handle with one hand and grasp tiller handle with other hand. Pull rope out slowly until engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this point).

•Pull recoil starter handle quickly. Do not let starter handle snap back against starter.

•If engine fires but does not start, move choke control to half choke position. Pull

recoil starter handle until engine starts.

•When engine starts, slowly move choke control to =RUN" position as engine warms up.

NOTE: Awarm engine requires less chok- ing to start.

•Move throttle control to desired running positiom

•Allow engine to warm up for a few min- utes before engaging tines.

Fuel shut-off Choke controls

Rewind start_

NOTE: If at a high altitude (3000 feet) or in cold temperatures (below 40°F), the carbu-

retor fuel mixture may need to be adjusted

for best engine perfomrance. See "1"O

ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual. NOTE: If engine does not start, see trou- bleshooting points.

TILLING HINTS

_,CAUTION: Until you are accustomed to handling your tiller, start actual field use with throttle in slow position (mid-way between =FAST" and =IDLE').

•Tilling is digging into, turning over, and breaking up packed soil before planting. Loose, unpacked soil helps root growth. Best tilling depth is 4" to 6". Atiller will also clear the soil of unwanted vegeta-

tion. The decomposition of this veg- etable matter enriches the soil.

Depending on the climate (rainfall and wind), it may be advisable to till the soil at the end of the growing season to fur- ther condition the soil.

•Soil conditions are important for proper tilling. Tines will not readily penetrate dry, hard soil which may contribute to excessive bounce and difficult handling of your tiller. Hard soil should be mois- tened before tilling; however, extremely wet soil will =ball-up" or clump during till- ing. Wait until the soil is less wet in order to achieve the best results. When tilling in the fall, remove vines and long grass to prevent them from wrapping around the tine shaft and slowing your tilling operation.

•You will find tilling much easier if you leave a row untilled between passes. Then go back between tilled rows.There are two reasons for doing this. First, wide turns are much easier to negotiate than about-faces. Second, the tiller

won'tbe pulling itself, and you, toward the row next to it.

•Do not lean on handle. This takes weight off the wheels and reduces trac- tion. To get through a really tough sec- tion of sod or hard ground, apply upward pressure on handle or lower the depth stake.

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