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CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or
using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which
leads to sep a ra tion and for ma tion 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
In struc tions for additional information. Never use
engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur.
OPERATION
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do not overfill. Use
fresh, clean, regular un lead ed 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 quan ti ties 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
GAS O LINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER
START ING.
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 3)
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 en gaged
position.
• Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake
pedal and set parking brake.
• Place motion control lever in neutral (N) position.
• 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 sec onds 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 sec onds to
several minutes, depending on the temperature.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
• Before driving the unit in cold weather, the trans mis sion
should be warmed up as follows:
• Be sure the tractor is on level ground.
• Place the motion control lever in neu tral.
Re lease the parking brake and let the clutch/brake
slowly return to operating po si tion.
• 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 con trol be pulled out slight ly.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold
temperatures (below 32 F) the carburetor fuel mixture may
need to be adjusted for best engine performance. See “TO
ADJUST CARBURETOR” in the Service and Ad just ments
section of this manual.
PURGE TRANSMISSION
CAUTION: Never engage or disengage
freewheel lever while the engine is run-
ning.
To ensure proper operation and performance, it is rec om -
mend ed that the transmission be purged before operating
tractor for the first time. This procedure will remove any
trapped air inside the transmission which may have de-
vel oped during shipping of your tractor.
IMPORTANT: SHOULD YOUR TRANSMISSION RE QUIRE
REMOVAL FOR SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT, IT SHOULD
BE PURGED AFTER REINSTALLATION BEFORE OPERATING
THE TRACTOR.
1. Place tractor safely on a level surface - that is clear and
open - with engine off and parking brake set.
2. Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control
in freewheeling position (See “TO TRANSPORT” in this
section of manual).
3. Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine
is running, move throttle control to slow position. With
motion control lever in neutral (N) po si tion, slowly dis-
engage clutch/brake pedal.