Craftsman Mower 50 Owners Manual - Page 9

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or ADD OIL Your lawnmower is shipped without oil in the engine. For type and grade of oil to use, see "ENGINE" in the Maintenance section of this manual. CAUTION: DO NOT overfill engine with oil, or it will smoke heavily from the muffler on startup. 1. Be sure lawnmower is level. 2. Remove oil dipstick from oil fill spout. 3. You receive a container of oil with the unit. Slowly pour the entire container down the oil fill spout into the engine. NOTE: Initial oil fill requires only 18 oz. due to residual oil in engine from the manufacturers 100% quality testing. When changing oil you may need 20 oz. fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame. CAUTION: 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. Empty 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. 4. Insert and tighten dipstick. IMPORTANT: • Check oil level before each use. Add oil if needed. Fill to full line on dipstick. Engine oil cap • Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation or each season. You may need to change the oil more often under dusty, dirty conditions. See "TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL" in the Mainte- nance section of this manual. ATTACH FUEL CAP CARTRIDGE Your mower is equipped with a special Gasoline filler cap FRESH STARTTM fuel cap and continuous fuel preserver cartridge. See the infor- Primer mation and instructions packed with the FRESH STARTTM cartridge. 1. Snap cartridge into bottom of fuel cap. TO STOP ENGINE NOTE: Do not remove the silver foil seal • To stop engine, release operator pres- on the side of cartridge that snaps into ence control bar. fuel cap. 2. Grasp the white peel tab and pull to remove the entire seal. 3. Screw fuel cap onto fuel tank after fill- ing tank with gasoline. Replace cartridge when empty (about once a season). Check preserver level visually. DANGER: Cartridge fluid is HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED. Avoid contact to eyes, skin, or clothing. Do not take internally. Do not inhale fluid vapor. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, call a physician immediately. TO START ENGINE NOTE: Due to protective coatings on the engine, a small amount of smoke may be present during the initial use of the product and should be considered normal. 1. To start a cold engine, push primer three (3) times before trying to start. Use a firm push. This step is not usually necessary when starting an engine which has already run for a few minutes. 2. Hold operator presence control bar down to the handle and pull starter handle quickly. Do not allow starter ADD GASOLINE rope to snap back. • Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck. NOTE: In cooler weather it may be neces- Do not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular sary to repeat priming steps. In warmer unleaded gasoline with a minimum of weather over priming may cause flooding 87 octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline. and engine will not start. If you do flood Purchase fuel in quantities that can be engine, wait a few minutes before attempt- used within 30 days to assure fuel fresh- ing to start and do not repeat priming ness. 9 steps.