15
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.
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.
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 disengaged position (See “TO TRANSPORT” in this
section of manual).
3. Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the en-
gine is running, move throttle control to slow position.
Dis en gage parking brake
CAUTION: At any time, during step 4, there
may be movement of the drive wheels.
4. Depress forward drive pedal to full forward position,
hold for five (5) seconds and release pedal. Depress
reverse drive pedal to full reverse position, hold for five
(5) seconds and release pedal. Repeat this procedure
three (3) times.
5. Shut- off engine and set parking brake.
6. Engage transmission by placing freewheel control in
engaged position (See “TO TRANSPORT” in this sec-
tion of manual).
7. Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine
is running, move throttle control to half (1/2) speed.
Disengage parking brake.
8. Drive tractor forward for approximately five feet then
backwards for five feet. Repeat this driving procedure
three times.
Your transmission is now purged and now ready for normal
op er a tion.
OPERATION
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 16)
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.
