Husqvarna TS 142X, Operator'S Manual

12

OPERATION

BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE

CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL

The engine in your tractor has been shipped from the fac-

tory already 

fi

 lled with sum mer weight oil.

• 

Check engine oil with tractor on level ground.

• Remove 

oil 

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 ll 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 over

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 ll.

• 

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.

ADD GASOLINE 

•  Fill fuel tank to bottom of 

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 ller neck. Do not over

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 ll.  

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 

fl

 ame.

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. 3)

The Briggs & Stratton Endurance engine equipped with 

your tractor features a Ready-Start automatic choke system 

to provide simpli

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 ed starting in normal conditions.  Please 

read the following starting instruction carefully.
When starting the engine for the 

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 rst 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 control to “DISENGAGED” 

position.

NORMAL STARTING (32°F/0°C and above)
• 

Move throttle control to fast position (

) and click into 

place.

•  Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise

 ( ) 

to 

“START” position and release key as soon as engine 

starts. 

• 

When engine starts, the attachments and ground drive 

can now be used. If the engine does not accept the 

load and shuts off, restart the engine and allow it to 

warm up for one minute.

• 

Leave throttle control in fast position (

) while mowing.

COLD WEATHER STARTING (32°F/0°C and below)
• 

Move throttle control beyond fast position into the cold 

weather starting position (

).

CAUTION:  Do not run starter continuously for more 

than 

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 fteen sec onds per minute.  If the engine does 

not start after several attempts, wait a few minutes 

and try again. 

• 

Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to “START” 

position and release key as soon as engine starts. 

• 

When the engine starts, move the throttle control back 

to the fast position (

) to warm-up.  The time required 

for warm-up will vary from a few seconds to a minute 

depending upon conditions and temperature.

• 

Leave throttle control in fast position (

) while mowing.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP

• 

Before driving the unit in cold weather, the trans mis sion 

should be warmed up as follows:

•  Ensure 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.