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14
OPERATION
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do not overfill. 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.
CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
near an open flame.
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES
BELOW32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE
GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER
STARTING.
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called
gasohol or using ethanol or methanol)
can attract moisture which leads to sepa-
ration 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.
TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS
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.
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 7)
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 engaged
position.
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.
• Check engine oil with tractor on level ground.
• 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
Maintenance section of this manual).
• To change engine oil, see the Maintenance section in
this manual.
• Sit on seat in operating position, depress brake pedal
and set parking brake.
• Move attachment clutch to “DISENGAGED” position.
• Move throttle control to fast position
• Pull choke control out for a cold engine start attempt. For
a warm engine start attempt the choke control may not
be needed.
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 seconds per minute. If the engine does not start
after several attempts, push choke control in, wait a few
minutes and try again. If engine still does not start, pull
the choke control out and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50° F and above)
• When engine starts, slowly push choke control in until
the engine begins to run smoothly. If the engine starts
to run roughly, pull the choke control out slightly for a few
seconds and then continue to push the control in slowly.
• 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, slowly push choke control in until
the engine begins to run smoothly. Continue to push the
choke control in small steps allowing the engine to
accept small changes in speed and load, until the choke
control is fully in. If the engine starts to run roughly, pull
the choke control out slightly for a few seconds and then
continue to push the control in slowly. This may require
an engine warm-up period from several seconds to
several minutes, depending on the temperature.
NOTE: In extreme cold conditions, if engine will not start,
you may need to disengage the motion drive belt as follows:
• Be sure parking brake is engaged.
• Remove retainer spring from the drive belt tension
handle to relieve belt tension.
• Start engine and allow it to warm up for three (3) minutes.
• Shut-off engine and engage parking brake.
• Engage drive belt tension handle and replace the re-
tainer spring.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
• Before driving the unit in cold weather, the transmission
should be warmed up as follows:
• Be sure the tractor is on level ground.
• Place the motion control lever in neutral. Re-
lease the parking brake and let the 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 be used during the engine warm-
up period after the transmission has been warmed up
and may require the choke control be pulled out slightly.