Craftsman 917.28746 - Manual (Page 16)

STORAGE
Immediately prepare your tractor for stor-
age at the end of the season or if the trac-
t~.r will not be used for 30 days or more.
aWARNING: Never store the tractor
with gasoline in the tank inside a building
where fumes may reach an open flame
or spark.
Allow the engine to cool before
storing in any enclosure.
TRACTOR
When tractor is to be stored for a period
of time, clean it thoroughly, remove all dirt,
grease, leaves, etc. Store in a clean, dry
area.
1. Clean entire tractor (See "CLEANING"
in the Maintenance section of this
manual).
2. Inspect and replace belts, if necessary
(See belt replacement instruCtions in
the Service and Adjustments section of
this manual).
3. lubricate as shown in the Maintenance
section of this manual.
4. Be sure that all nuts, bolts and screws
are securely fastened. Inspect moving
parts for damage, breakage and wear.
Replace if necessary.
5. Touch up all rusted or chipped paint
surfaces; sand lightly before painting.
BATTERY
• Fully charge the battery for storage.
After a period of time in storage, battery
may require recharging.
• To help prevent corrosion and power
leakage during long periods of storage,
battery cables should be disconnected
and battery cleaned thoroughly (see "TO
CLEAN BATIERY AND TERMINALS" in
the Maintenance section of this manual).
• After cleaning, leave cables discon-
nected and place cables where they
cannot come in contact with battery
terminals.
• If battery is removed from tractor for
storage, do not store battery directly on
concrete or damp surfaces.
ENGINE
FUEL SYSTEM
IMPORTANT: It is important to prevent
gum deposits from forming in essential
fuel system parts such as carburetor, fuel
hose, or tank during storage. Also, alcohol
blended fuels (called gasohol or using
ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture
which leads to separation and formation of
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acids during storage. Acidic gas can dam-
age the fuel system of an engine while in
storage.
• Empty the fuel tank by starting the en-
gine and letting it run until the fuel lines
and carburetor are empty.
• Never use engine or carburetor cleaner
products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
• Use fresh fuel next season.
NOTE:
Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable
alternative in minimizing the formation of
fuel gum deposits during storage. Add
stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank or stor-
age container:
Always follow the mix ratio
found on stabilizer container. Run engine
at least 10rriinutes after adding stabilizer
to allow the stabilizer to reach the carbure-
tor. Do not empty the gas tank and carbu-
retor if using fuel stabilizer.
ENGINE OIL
Drain oil (with engine warm) and replace
with clean engine oil. (See "ENGINE" in
the Maintenance section of this manual).
CYLINDER(S)
1. Remove spark plug(s).
2. Pour one ounce of oil through spark
plug hole(s) into cylinder(s).
3. Tum ignition key to start position for a
few seconds to distribute oil.
4. Replacewith new spark plug(s).
OTHER
• Do not store gasoline from one season
to another.
• Replace your gasoline can if your can
starts to rust. Rust and/or dirt in your
gasoline will cause problems.
• If possible, store your tractor indoors
and cover it to give protection from dust
and dirt.
• Cover your tractor with a suitable pro-
tective cover that does not retain mois-
ture.
Do not use plastic. Plastic cannot
breathe which allows condensation to
form and will cause your tractor to rust.
IMPORTANT: Never cover tractor while
engine and exhaust areas are still warm.
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART:
See appropriate section in manual unless directed to Sears service center
PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION
Will not start 1. Out of fuel. 1. Fill fuel tank.
2. Engine not "CHOKED" 2. See "TO START ENGINE" in
properly. Operation section.
3. Engine flooded. 3. Wait several minutes before
4. Bad spark plug.
attempting to start.
4. Replace spark plug.
5. Weak or dead battery. 5. Recharge or replace battery.
6. Dirty air filter. 6. Clean/replace air filter.
7. Dirty fuel filter. 7. Replace fuel filter.
8. Water in fuel. 8. Empty fuel tank and carbure-
tor, refill tank with fresh gas-
oline and replace fuel filter.
9. loose or damaged wiring. 9. Check all wiring.
10. Carburetor out of adjListment. 10. See "To Adjust Carburetor"
in Service and Adjustments
section.
11. Engine valves out of 11. Contact a Sears or other
adjustment. qualified service center.
Hard to start
.
1. Dirty air filter. 1. Clean/replace air filter.
2. Bad spark plug. 2. Replace spark plug.
3. Weak or dead battery. 3. Recharge or replace battery.
4. Dirty fuel filter. 4. Replace fuel filter.
.
5. Stale or dirty fuel. 5. Empty fuel tank and refill tank
with fresh, clean gasoline.
6. loose or damaged wiring. 6. Check all wiring.
7. Carburetor out of adjustment. 7. See "To Adjust Carburetor" in
Service and Adjustments
section.
8. Engine valves out of 8. Contact a Sears or other
adjustment. qualified service center.
Engine will not 1. Brake pedal not depressed. 1. Depress brake pedal.
turn over 2. Attachment clutch is engaged. 2. Disengage attachment clutch.
3. Weak or dead battery. 3. Recharge or replace battery.
4. Blown fuse. 4. Replace fuse.
5. Corroded battery terminals. 5. Clean battery terminals.
6. loose or damaged wiring. 6. Check all wiring.
7. Faulty ignition switch. 7. Check/replace ignition switch.
8. Faulty solenoid or starter. 8. Check/replaCe solenoid or
starter.
9. Faulty operator presence 9. Contact a Sears or other
switch(es). qualified service center.
Engine clicks but 1. Weak or dead battery. 1. Recharge or replace battery.
will not start 2. Corroded battery terminals. 2. Clean battery terminals. .
3. loose or damaged wiring. 3. Check all wiring.
4. Faulty solenoid or starter. 4. Check/replace solenoid or
starter.
Loss of power 1. Cutting too much grass/too 1. Raise cutting height/reduce
fast. speed.
2. Throttle in "CHOKE" position. 2. Adjust throttle control.
3. Build-up of grass, leaves and 3. Clean underside of mower
trash under mower. housing.
4. Dirty air filter. 4. Clean/replace air filter.
5. low oil level/dirty oil. 5. Check oil level/change oil.
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