Craftsman 917.270831 - Manual (Page 15)

TOWING CARTS AND OTHER
ATTACHMENTS
Tow only the attachments that are
recommended by and comply with
specifications of the manufacturer of your
tractor. Use common sense when towing.
Too heavy of a load, while on a slope, is
dangerous. Tires can lose traction with
the ground and cause you to lose control
of your tractor. .
BEFORE STARTING THE ENIGNE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL
• The engine in your tractor has been
shipped, from the factory, already filled
with summer weight oil.
• Check engine oil with tractor on level
ground.
• Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe
clean, reinsert the dipstick and screw
cap tight, wait for a few seconds,
remove and read oil level. If neces­
sary, add oil until “FULL" mark on
dipstick is reached. Do not overfill.
• For cold weather operation you should
change oil for easier starting (See “OIL
VISCOSITY CHARr in the Customer
Responsibilities section of this
manual).
• To change engine oil, see the Mainte­
nance section in this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
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 assure fuel fresh­
ness.
IMPORTANT: When operating in
temperatures below 32“F(0‘’C), use
fresh, clean winter grade gasoline to
help insure good cold weather starting.
A WARNING: Experience indicates that
^ohol 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 lines
and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel
next season. See Storage Instructions
for additional information. Never use
engine or carburetor cleaner products in
the fuel tank or permanent damage may
occur.
ACAUTION: 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 clutch/brake pedal and set
parking brake.
• Place gear shift lever in neutral (N)
position.
• Move attachment clutch to “DISEN­
GAGED" position.
• Move throttle control to fast position
• Pull choke control out for a cold
engine start attempt. For a warm
engine start attempt the choke control
may not be needed,
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, push choke control
in, wait a few minutes and try again. If
engine still does not start, pull the
choke control out and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50" F and
above)
• When engine starts, slowly push
choke control in until the engine
begins to run smoothly. It the engine
starts to run roughly, pull the choke
control out slightly for a few seconds
and then continue to push the control
in slowly.
• 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, slowly push
choke control in until the engine
begins to run smoothly. Continue to
push the choke control in small steps
allowing the engine to accept small
changes in speed and load, until the
choke control is fully in. If the engine
15 starts to run roughly, pull the choke