Craftsman 917.273062 - Manual (Page 17)

2
.
3.
W hen pushing or towing your tractor, be
sure to disengage transmission by
placing freewheel control in freewheeling
position. Free wheel control is located at
the rear drawbar of tractor.
1. Raise attachment lift to highest
position with attachment lift control.
Remove retainer spring from free­
wheel control rod.
Push control rod in to disengage
transmission and reinsert retainer
spring into control rod hole now on
back side of the bracket.
« Do not push or tow tractor at more than
two (2) MPH.
• To reengage transmission, reverse
above procedure.
NOTE: To protect hood from damage
when transporting your tractor on a truck
or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and
secured to tractor. Use an appropriate
means of tying hood to tractor (rope, cord,
etc.}.
TO TRANSPORT
TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACH­
MENTS
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 ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL
The engine in your tractor has been
shipped, from the factory, already filled
with summer weight oil.
1. Check engine oil with tractor on level
ground.
2. 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 Mainte­
nance 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 freshness.
IMPORTANT: W hen 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 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.
^CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank
filler neck. Do not overfill. W ipe off any
spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or
use gasoline near an open flame.
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