Dixon D15KH30, Operator'S Manual

13

OPERATION

ADD GASOLINE 

•  Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do not overfill.  

Use fresh, clean, regular gasoline with a minimum of 

87 octane.  Do not mix oil with gasoline.  Purchase fuel 

in quantities 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 

GASOLINE TO HELP ENSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER 

STARTING.

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.  Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable alternative 

in minimizing the formation of fuel gum deposits 

during stor age.  Add stabilizer to gasoline in fuel 

tank or storage container.  Always follow the mix 

ratio found on stabilizer container.  Run engine at 

least 10 minutes after adding stabilizer to allow the 

stabilizer to reach the carburetor.  Do not empty 

the gas tank and carburetor if using fuel stabilizer.

TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 5)

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.
• 

Ensure freewheel control is in the transmission en gaged 

position.

•  Sit on seat in operating position, depress brake pedal 

and set parking brake.

•  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.

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.
•  Release 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 also be used during the engine 

warm-up period after the transmission has been warmed 

up.