Craftsman 917.258911 - Manual (Page 15)

OPERATION
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig. 10)
• 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,
• Unthread and remove oil fill cap/dipstick; wipe oil off.
Reinsert the dipstick into the tube and rest oil fill cap on
the tube. Do not thread the cap onto the tube. Remove
and read oil level. If necessary, 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 CHART" in the
Customer Responsibilities section of this manual),
• To change engine oil, see the Customer Responsibili­
ties 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 freshness.
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES
BELOW aa^FfO-C), use fresh , clean winter grade
GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER
starting
WARNING: Experience indicates that aicohoi 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 fue!
system of an engine while in storage. To avoid engine
problems, the fuel system should be emptied before stor­
age 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 Instruc­
tions for additional information. Never use engine or
carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
A
CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank
filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any
spilled oli or fuel. Do not store, spill or
use gasoline near an open flame.
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 6)
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
fue! from the tank to the engine,
" Be sure freewheel control is in the transmission en­
gaged position.
" Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake
pedal and set parking brake,
• Place motion control lever in neutral (N) position.
• Move attachment clutch to "DISENGAGED” 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 sec­
onds 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, siowiy push choke control in until
the engine begins to run smoothly. 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
slowly.
• The attachments and ground drive can now be used. If
the engine does not accept the load, restait 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 controi in small steps allowing the engine to
accept small changes in speed and load, until the
choke control is fully in. if the engine starts to run
roughly, pull the choke control out slightly for a few
seconds and then continue to push the controi in
slowly. This may require an engine warm-up period
from several seconds to several minutes, depending
on the temperature.
HYDROSTATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
• Before driving the unit in cold weather, the transmis­
sion should be warmed up as follows:
• Be sure the tractor is on level ground.
• Place the motion control lever in neutral.
Release the parking brake and let the clutch/brake
siowiy return to operating position.
• Allow one minute for transmission to warm up.
This can be done during the engine warm up
period,
• The attachments can be used during the engine warm­
up period after the transmission has been warmed up
and may require the choke control be pulled out slightly.
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.
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