Before Starting The Engine; Check Engine Oil Level; Add Gasoline; To Start Engine - Poulan Pro PD185H42STA Owner's Manual

OPERATION
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE •
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL
• The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the
factory, already filled with summer weight oil.
• Check engine oil with tractor on level ground.
• Remove oil fillcap/dipstick and wipe clean, reinsertthe
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 section of this manual).
• To change engine oil, see the Maintenance section in
this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do not overfill.
Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded 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 quantities that can be used within 30 daysto assure
fuel freshness.
I_ AUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
near an open flame.
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES
BELOW32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE
GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER
STARTING.
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or
using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which
leads to separation and formation 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 storage
of 30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the
engine and let it run untilthefuel lines and carburetor
are empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage
Instructions for additional information. Never use
engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur.
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 6)
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 surefreewheel controlisinthe transmission engaged
position.
Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake
pedal and set parking brake.
• Place motion control lever in neutral (N) position.
• Move attachment clutch to "DISENGAGED" position.
Move throttle control to choke position.
NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting
procedures below.
13
Insertkey intoignitionand turnkeyclockwiseto"START"
position and release key as soon as engine starts.
Do not run starter continuously for more than fifteen
seconds per minute. If the engine does not start after
several attempts, move throttlecontrol to fast position,
wait a few minutes and try again. If engine still does
not start, move the throttle controlback to the choke
position and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50 ° F and above)
• When engine starts, move the throttle control to the
fast position.
• The attachments and ground drivecan now be used. If
the engine does notaccept the load, restart the engine
and allow it to warm up for one minuteusing the choke
as described above.
COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50° F and below)
• When engine starts, allow engine to run with the
throttle control in the choke position until the engine
runs roughly, then move throttle control to fast posi-
tion. This may require an engine warm-up period from
several seconds to several minutes, depending on the
temperature.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
• Beforedrivingthe unitin coldweather,the transmission
should be warmed up as follows:
• Be sure the tractor is on level ground.
• Place the motion control lever in neutral.
Release the parking brake and let the clutch/brake
slowly return to operating position.
• Allow one minute for transmissionto warm up.This
can be done during the engine warm up period.
• The attachments can also be used during the engine
warm-up period afterthetransmission hasbeen warmed
up.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold
temperatures (below 32 F) the carburetorfuel mixture may
need to be adjusted for best engine performance. See "TO
ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the Service and Adjustments
section of this manual.
PURGE TRANSMISSION
I _lb CAUTION: Never engage or disengage I
freewheel lever while the engine is run-
ning.
To ensure proper operation and performance, it is recom-
mended 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-
veloped during shipping of your tractor.
IMPORTANT: SHOULD YOUR TRANSMISSION REQUIRE
REMOVALFOR SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT,IT SHOULD
BE PURGEDAFTER REINSTALLATION BEFOREOPERATING
THE TRACTOR.
• Place tractor safely on level surface with engine off and
parking brake set.
Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control
in freewheeling position (See"TOTRANSPORT" in this
section of manual).
• Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine
is running, move throttle control to slow position. With
motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly dis-
engage clutch/brake pedal.