Ariens 42" Precision Gear Tractor, Operator'S Manual

12

OPERATION

CAUTION:  Alcohol blended fuels (called gas o hol 

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 sea son.  

See Storage in struc tions for additional information.  

Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products 

in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.

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 ensure 

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 BELOW 

32°F/0°C, USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE GAS O LINE 

TO HELP ENSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER START ING.

TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 4)

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.
• 

Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake 

pedal and set parking brake.

•  Place gear shift lever in neutral position.
•  Move attachment clutch to “DISENGAGED” position.
•  Move throttle control to choke position.

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, move throttle control to fast position, 

wait a few minutes and try again. If engine still does 

not start, move the throttle control back to the choke 

position and retry.

WARM WEATHER STARTING (50°F/10°C and above)

•  When engine starts, move the throttle control to the 

fast position.

• 

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/10°C 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.

•  The attachments can also be used during the engine 

warm-up period.

NOTE:

 If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold 

temperatures (below 32° F /0°C) the carburetor fuel mixture 

may need to be adjusted for best engine performance. See 

“TO ADJUST CARBURETOR” in the Service and Adjust-

ments section of this manual.

MOWING TIPS

•  Tire chains cannot be used when the mower hous ing 

is attached to tractor.

•  Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing 

performance.  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 tractor.  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 

finished (See Fig. 8).

Fig. 8

•  If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to 

reduce load and possible fire hazard from dried clip-

 pings.  Make first 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

 ensure 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.