Craftsman 917.295550 - Manual (Page 11)

OPERATION
TURNING
• Release the drive control bar.
• Move throttle control to “SLOW” position
• Place shift lever indicator in “F" (forward) position.
Tines wiit not turn.
• Lift handle to raise tines out of ground.
• Swing the handle in the opposite direction you wish to
turn, being careful to keep feet and legs away from
tines.
• When you have completed your turn-around, release
the drive control bar and lower handle. Place shift lever
in "T” (till) position and move throttle controi to desired
speed. To begin tilling, hold drive control bar against
the handle.
OUTER SIDE SHIELDS (See Fig. 11)
The front edges of the outer side shields are slotted so that
the shields can be raised for deep tiliing and lowered for
shallow tilling to protect small plants from being buried.
Loosen nut “A" in siot and nut "B" Move shield to desired
position (both sides). Retighten nuts,
TRANSPORTING
CAUTION: Before lifting or transport­
ing, allow tiller engine and muffler to
cool. Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain
gasoline from fuel tank.
• Release the depth stake pin. Move the depth stake
down to the top hole for transporting the tiller. Place
depth stake pin in hole of depth stake to lock in position.
This prevents tines from scuffing the ground
• Place shift lever indicator in “F" (forward) position for
transporting.
• Hold the drive controi bar against the handle to start
tiller movement . Tines will not turn.
• Move throttle control to desired speed.
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
IMPORTANT: BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO ALLOW DIRT
TO ENTER THE ENGINE WHEN CHECKING OR ADDING
OIL OR FUEL USE CLEAN OIL AND FUEL AND STORE
IN APPROVED, CLEAN, COVERED CONTAINERS. USE
CLEAN F!LL FUNNELS.
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig. 12)
• The engine in your unit has been shipped, from the
factory, already filled with SAE 30 summer weight oil,
• With engine level, clean area around oil filler plug and
remove plug.
• Engine oil should be to point of overflowing. For
approximate capacity see “PRODUCT SPECIFICA­
TIONS" on page 3 of this manual All oil must meet
A P.l Service Classification SQ.
• For coid 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.
• Fiil fuel tank. Use fresh, dean, regular unfeaded
gasoline. (Use of leaded gasoline wiH increase carbon
and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life.
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 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 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 section
of this manual for additional information. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
CAUTION: Fill to within 1/2 Inch of top
of fuel tank to prevent spills and to
allow for fuel expansion, if gasoline is
accidentally spilled, move machine
away from area of spill. Avoid creating
any source of Ignition until gasoline
vapors have disappeared.
Do not overfill. Wipe off any spilled oil
or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gaso­
line near an open flame.
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