Dixon D2246YT, Operator'S Manual

13

SERVICE REMINDER/HOUR METER

Service reminder shows the total number of hours the engine 

has run and flashes to indicate that the engine or mower 

needs servicing. When service is required, the service 

reminder will flash for two hours. To service engine and 

mower, see the Maintenance section of this manual.

NOTE

: Service reminder runs when the ignition key is in 

any position but "STOP". For accurate reading, be sure key 

remains in the "STOP" position when engine is not running. 

BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE

CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL

The engine in your tractor  has been shipped, from the 

factory, already filled with sum mer weight oil.  
•  Check engine oil with tractor on level ground.  
• 

Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe clean, reinsert the 

dipstick and screw cap tight, wait for a few seconds, 

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 sec tion of this manual).   

•  To change engine oil, see the Maintenance section in 

this manual.

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.

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:  Alcohol blended fuels (called gas o hol 

or using ethanol or methanol) can attract mois-

ture 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.

OPERATION

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 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 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/10°C 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/10°C 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.
•  Release the parking brake and let the 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 /0°C) 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.