Poulan CO185H42STB User Manual - Page 16

Once rough running begins, immediately move the throttle control to the fast position. Engine warm-up may take from several seconds to several minutes (the colder the temperature, the longer the warm-up). AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP Before driving the unit in cold weather, the transmission should be warmed up as follows: 1. Be sure the tractor is on level ground. 2. Place the motion control lever in neutral. Release the parking brake and let the clutch/brake slowly return to operating position. 3. 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. 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). MOWING TIPS • Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing performance. See "TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual. • The left hand side of mower should be used for trimming. • Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area that has already been cut. Have the cut area to the right of the tractor. This will result in a more even distribution of clippings and more uniform cutting. • When mowing large areas, start by turning to the right so that clippings will discharge away from shrubs, fences, driveways, etc. After one or two rounds, mow in the opposite direction making left hand turns until finished. • Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet grass will plug mower and leave undesirable clumps. Allow grass to dry before mowing. • Always operate engine at full throttle when mowing to assure better mowing performance and proper discharge of material. Regulate ground speed by selecting a low enough gear to give the mower cutting performance as well as the quality of cut desired. • When operating attachments, select a ground speed that will suit the terrain and give best performance of the attachment being used. MULCHING MOWING TIPS IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep mower housing free of built-up grass and trash. Clean after each use. • The special mulching blade will recut the grass clippings many times and reduce them in size so that as they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass and not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass will biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn. Always mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed as this will provide the best recutting action of the blades. • Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet. Wet grass tends to form clumps and interferes with the mulching action. The best time to mow your lawn is the early afternoon. At this time the grass has dried, yet the newly cut area will not be exposed to direct sunlight. • For best results, adjust the mower cutting height so that the mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass blades. For extremely heavy grass, reduce your width of cut on each pass and mow slowly. MAX 1/3 mulcher_9 00272 • If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to reduce load and possible fire hazard from dried clippings. Make first cut relatively high; the second to the desired height. • Certain types of grass and grass conditions may require that an area be mulched a second time to completely hide the clippings. When doing a second cut, mow across (perpendicular) to the first cut path. • Change your cutting pattern from week to week. Mow north to south one week then change to east to west the next week. This will help prevent matting and graining of the lawn. 16