Poulan 403780 Lawn Mower User Manual


 
14
FIG. 9
MOWING TIPS
• Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing per-
formance. See “TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING” in the
Service and Adjustments section of this manual.
• The left hand side of mower should be used for trim-
ming.
• Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area
that has been cut. Have the cut area to the right of the
machine. This will result in a more even dis tri bu tion of
clippings and more uniform cutting.
When mowing large areas, start by turning to the right so
that clippings will discharge away from shrubs, fences,
driveways, etc. After one or two rounds, mow in the
opposite direction making left hand turns until fi nished
(See Fig. 9).
OPERATION
• If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to
reduce load and possible fi re hazard from dried clip-
pings. Make fi rst cut relatively high; the second to the
desired height.
• Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet grass will plug
mower and leave undesirable clumps. Allow grass to
dry before mowing.
Always operate engine at full throttle when mow-
ing to assure better mowing performance and proper
dis charge of material. Regulate ground speed by se-
lect ing a low enough gear to give the mower cut ting
per for mance as well as the quality of cut desired.
• When operating attachments, select a ground speed
that will suit the terrain and give best performance of
the at tach ment being used.
• 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, allow engine to run with the
throttle control in the choke position until the engine
runs roughly, then move throttle control to fast posi-
tion. This may require an engine warm-up period from
several seconds to several minutes, depending on the
tem per a ture.
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 neutral.
Re lease the parking brake and let the clutch/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 also be used during the engine
warm-up period after the transmission has been warmed
up.
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 Adjustments
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 fi rst 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.
• Place tractor safely on a level surface - that is clear
and open - with engine off and parking brake set.
• Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control
in freewheeling position (See “TO TRANSPORT” in this
section of manual).
• 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.
CAUTION: At any time, during step 4,
there may be movement of the drive
wheels.
• Move motion control lever to full forward position and
hold for fi ve (5) seconds. Move lever to full reverse
position and hold for fi ve (5) seconds. Repeat this
procedure three (3) times.
• Move motion control lever to neutral (N) position. Shut-
off engine and set parking brake.
• Engage transmission by placing freewheel control in
engaged position (See “TO TRANSPORT” in this sec-
tion of manual).
• Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine
is running, move throttle control to half (1/2) speed.
With motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly
disengage clutch/brake pedal.
• Slowly move motion control lever forward, after the
tractor moves approximately fi ve (5) feet, slowly move
motion control lever to reverse position. After the trac-
tor moves approximately fi ve (5) feet return the mo-
tion control lever to the neutral (N) position. Repeat
this procedure with the motion control lever three (3)
times.
Your transmission is now purged and now ready for normal
op er a tion.