Craftsman 917.259592 - Manual (Page 15)

OPERATION
ADD GASOLINE
» Fill fue! tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded
gasoline with a minimum of 87octane, (Use of leaded
gasoline will increase carbon and lead oxide deposits
and reduce valve lile). 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 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 gasohoi 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 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.
CAUTION: 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 (See Fig. 8)
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.
" 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 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 sec­
onds per minuie. If the engine does not start after
several attempts, move throttle control to fast position,
wait afew 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)
» 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 position. This
may require an engine warm-up period from several
seconds to several minutes, depending on the tem­
perature.
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.
• Piace the motion control lever in neutral.
Release the parking brake and let the clutch/brake
slowly 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 also be used during the engine
warm-up period afterthe transmission has been warmed
up.
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.
PURGE TRANSMISSION
CAUTION: Never engage or disengage
freewheel lever while the engine is run­
ning.
To ensure proper operation and performance, it is recom­
mended that the transmission be purged before operating
tractor for the first time. This procedure will remove any
trapped air inside the transmission which may have devel­
oped during shipping of your tractor
IMPORTANT: SHOULD YOURTRANSMISSION REQUIRE
REMOVAL FOR SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT, IT
SHOULD BE PURGED AFTER REINSTALLATION
BEFORE OPERATING THE TRACTOR.
» Place tractor safely on level surface with engine off and
parking brake set..
» Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control
in freewheeling position (See “TO TRANSPORT" in
this section of manual).
■> Sitting in the tractorseat, start engine. Afterthe engine
is running, move throttle control to slow position. With
motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly
disengage clutch/brake pedal.
■> Move motion control lever to full forward position and
hold for five (5) seconds. Move lever to full reverse
position and hold for five (5) seconds. Repeat this
procedure three (3) times.
NOTE: During this procedure there will be no movement of
drive wheels. The air Is being removed from hydraulic drive
system.
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