Operation - Ariens Contractor 996126 Operator's Manual

WARNING: AVOID INJURY. Read and
understand the entire Safety section before
proceeding.
SAFETY FIRST
This unit is designed and built for work, recreation and
enjoyment; however, improper and irresponsible operation
could result in serious injury or death. Since this is an
off-road vehicle, operators will seldom see road safety and
warning signs they are accustomed to seeing on highways
and public streets. This places additional responsibility on
the driver to operate this vehicle well within safe operational
limits and capabilities of the unit.
This manual contains instructions on safe and responsible
operation. Read, understand and follow all safety
instructions about this vehicle. If you do not understand any
part of this manual, contact your local dealer for additional
information and clarification. As the operator of this
equipment, you are in complete control. Only you can
prevent an accident from happening.
Operator Responsibilities
WARNING: It is the operator's responsibility to
have read this manual thoroughly and to know
how to operate this vehicle safely in all situations.
See 1. DANGER! GUARD MISSING on page 4.
Pre-Start Check List
• Lubricate vehicle as indicated in LUBRICATION
on page 28.
• Make sure engine cooling fan screen is clean of all
debris including dirt, trash and oil. Also, make sure
engine surface and cooling fins are clean. See
Engine Maintenance on page 24.
• Make sure exhaust system is clean of all dirt, trash
and oil.
• Check tire pressure as indicated in the See Tire
Inflation Chart on page 20.
• Make sure wheel lug bolts/nuts are tightened to
73 ft-lbs (99 N•m).
• All nuts, bolts, screws and fasteners should be
checked.
• Turn on headlights to make sure battery has a
charge and electrical lighting circuit is working.
• Check tail lights and brake lights.
• Step on foot brake to make sure there is plenty of
pedal and that brakes hold pressure and do not
bleed off. Add brake fluid as indicated in on
page 29 and bleed brakes if required.
• Check parking brake to make sure it will engage,
hold and release.

OPERATION

• Check steering by executing a full lock to lock turn
in each direction.
• Check to make sure neutral start feature is
working by trying to start unit with the shift selector
located in forward and reverse positions or service
brake released. (Unit should not start.)
• Check engine oil level at the dipstick. Add oil as
indicated in Engine Oil and Oil Filter on page 28 if
oil is at or below the add mark on the dipstick. Do
not overfill or plug fouling will occur.
• Check differential oil level at the differential oil
plug. Add gear lube as indicated in OIL LEVEL
CHECK on page 28.
• Check fuel level to make sure there is at least 1/8
of a tank of gas prior to performing initial starting
operations.
• Check air intake filtering system. Clean or replace
filtering system per instructions for Engine Air
Filter Maintenance on page 25 and CVT Breather
Hose on page 27.
• Make sure low engine idle speed is set between
1250 and 1350 rpm and that maximum engine
static speed does not exceed 3800 rpm.
Modifying or adjusting carburetor to increase
vehicle speed above factory set specification
is a safety violation and could void the
warranty.
General Operation
DANGER: Avoid injury or death from
entanglement in the rotating drive belt. All shields
must be in place and secure when operating.
Keep all persons away from rotating drive line.
To start the engine, follow the starting procedures noted
below.
IMPORTANT: The shifter must be in neutral and the brake
pedal needs to be pressed to start the engine.
1. Ensure that the column shifter is in Neutral.
2. Press the brake pedal.
3. Pull choke fully out and hold when engine is cold.
4. Turn ignition switch fully clockwise and hold until
engine starts.
5. Release ignition switch to run position and choke to
normal operating position immediately after engine
starts.
6. Turn ignition switch counterclockwise to stop engine.
The column-mounted shifter provides forward and reverse
direction control. The parking brake must be released before
moving the column shifter into forward or reverse or the
engine will quit.
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