Craftsman 917.29332 owner manual P rcmanent damage may occur

WARNING:Experienceindicatesthat alco- h01blendedfuels(calledgasoholor using

ethanolor methanol)canattractmoisture whichleadsto separationandformation of

acids during storage. Acidic gas can dam- age 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 section of this manual for addition- al information. Never use engine or carbu- retor cleaner products in the fuel tank or

P_rcmanent damage may occur.

AUTION: Fill to within 1/2 inch of top of fuel tank to prevent spills and to allow for fuel expansion. If gasoline is acciden- tally spilled, move machine away from area of spill. Avoid creating any source of ignition until gasoline vapors have disap-

peared.

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

TO START ENGINE

._,CAUTION: pepdrive 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. Pul/rope out slowly until engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this point).

Fuel shut-off Choke controls

Rewind start_

•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 A warm engine requires less chok- ing starting.

•Move throttle control to desired running position.

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

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 pertomrance. See 'q-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 thro_le in slow positio.n.(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". A tiller 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- the. condition the soil.

•Soil conditions are important for proper tillinQ. 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 tne shaft and sow ng 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-feces. Second, the tille=

won't be pulling itself, and you, toward the row next to it.

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