Poulan Pro 279370, Owner'S Manual

13

OPERATION

BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE

CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL

•      The engine in your tractor  has been shipped, from the 

factory, already fi lled with sum mer weight oil.  

•      Check engine oil with tractor on level ground.  
•         Remove oil fi 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 overfi 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 fi ller neck. Do not overfi ll.  

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:  Wipe off any spilled oil or 
fuel.  Do not store, spill or use gasoline 
near an open fl ame.

IMPORTANT:

  WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES 

BELOW32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE 
GAS O LINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER 
START ING.

CAUTION:  Alcohol blended fuels (called 
gas o hol or using ethanol or methanol) can at-
tract 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.

TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 5)

When starting the engine for the fi 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.
•      Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake 

pedal and set parking brake.

•      Place gear shift  lever in neutral (N) position.
•      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 
fi fteen 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 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 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.

•         The attachments can be used during the engine warm-

up period 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) the carburetor fuel mixture may 
need to be adjusted for best engine performance. See “TO 
ADJUST CARBURETOR” in the Service and Adjustments 
section of this manual.