Craftsman 917.27103 - Manual (Page 16)

quantities that can be used within 30
days to assure fuel freshness.
IMPORTANT: When operating in tempera­
tures below 32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean
winter grade gasoline to help insure good
cold weather starting.
^WARNING; Experience indicates that
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 white in storage. To avoid engine
problems, the fuel system should be emp­
tied 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 carbure­
tor cleaner products in the fuel tank or per-
2 anent damage may occur.
kCAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank
filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any
spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use
gasoline near an open flame.
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.
® Sit on seat in operating position,
depress dutch/brake pedal and set
parking brake.
» Place gear shift lever in neutral (N) posi­
tion.
® Move attachment clutch to “DISEN­
GAGED” position.
® Move throttle control to choke position.
Note: Before starting, read the warm and
cold starting procedures below.
® 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
AND ABOVE)
o 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 load, restart the engine and
allow it to warm up for one minute using
the choke as described above.
COLD WEATHER STARTING { 50° F
AND BELOW)
<» When engine starts, allow engine to run
with the throttle control in the choke
position until the engine runs roughly,
then move throttle control to fast posi­
tion. This may require an engine warm­
up period from several seconds to sev­
eral minutes, depending on the temper­
ature.
“ 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.
MOWING TIPS
» Tire chains cannot be used when the
mower housing Is attached to tractor,
» Mower should be properly leveled for
best mowing performance. See “TO
LEVEL MOWER HOUSING” in the
Service and Adjustments section of this
manual.
o The left hand side of mower should be
used for trimming.
«• Drive so that clippings are discharged
onto the area that has been cut. Have
the cut area to the right of the tractor.
This will result in a more even distribu­
tion of clippings and more uniform cut­
ting.
® When mowing large areas, start by turn­
ing to the right so that clippings will dis­
charge away from shrubs, fences, drive­
ways, etc. After one or two rounds, mow
in the opposite direction making left
hand turns until finished.
16