Craftsman 917.28927 - Manual (Page 14)

SERVICE REMINDER/HOUR METER
Service rem inder shows the total num ber
of hours the engine has run and flashes to
indicate that the engine or m ow er needs
servicing. W hen service is required, the
service rem inder w ill flash for tw o hours.
To service engine and m ow er, see the
M aintenance section of this m anual.
NOTE: Service rem inder runs w hen the
ignition key is in any position but "STO P".
For accurate reading, be sure key rem ains
in the "STO P" position w hen engine is not
running.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL
The engine in your tractor has been
shipped, from the factory, already filled
w ith sum m er weight oil.
1. Check engine oil with tractor on level
ground.
2. Rem ove oil fill cap/dipstick and w ipe
clean, reinsert the dipstick and screw
cap tight, w ait for a few seconds, re­
m ove and read oil level. If necessary,
add oil until “FULL’ m ark on dipstick is
reached. Do not overfill.
• For cold w eather operation you should
change oil for easier starting (See the
oil viscosity chart in the M aintenance
section of this m anual).
• To change engine oil, see the M ainte­
nance section in this m anual.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do
not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline w ith a m inim um of
87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline w ill
increase carbon and lead oxide deposits
and reduce valve life). Do not m ix oil
w ith gasoline. Purchase fuel in quanti­
ties that can be used w ithin 30 days to
assure fuel freshness.
ACAUTION: W ipe off any spilled oil or
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
near an open flam e.
IMPORTANT: W hen operating in tem per­
atures below32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean
w inter grade gasoline to help insure good
cold w eather starting.
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called
gasohol or using ethanol or m ethanol) can
attract m oisture w hich leads to separation
and form ation of acids during storage.
Acidic gas can dam age the fuel system
of an engine w hile in storage. To avoid
engine problem s, the fuel system should
be em ptied 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 em pty. Use fresh fuel
next season. See Storage Instructions for
additional inform ation. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel
tank or perm anent dam age m ay occur.
TO START ENGINE
W hen starting the engine for the first tim e
or if the engine has run out of fuel, it w ill
take extra cranking tim e to m ove fuel from
the tank to the engine.
1. Be sure freew heel control is in the
transm ission engaged position.
2. Sit on seat in operating position,
depress brake pedal and set parking
brake.
3. M ove attachm ent clutch to disengaged
position.
4. M ove throttle control to fast position
5. Pull choke control out for a cold engine
start attem pt. For a warm engine start
attem pt the choke control m ay not be
needed.
NOTE: Before starting, read the w arm and
cold starting procedures below .
6. Insert key into ignition and turn key
clockw ise to start position and release
key as soon as engine starts. Do not
run starter continuously for m ore than
fifteen seconds per m inute. If the
engine does not start after several
attem pts, push choke control in, w ait
a few m inutes and try again. If engine
still does not start, pull the choke con­
trol out and retry.
W ARM W EATHER STARTING (50° F and
above)
7. W hen engine starts, slowly push choke
control in until the engine begins to
run sm oothly. If the engine starts to
run roughly, pull the choke control out
slightly for a few seconds and then
continue to push the control in slow ly.
• The attachm ents and ground drive can
now be used. If the engine does not
accept the load, restart the engine and
allow it to w arm up for one m inute using
the choke as described above.
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