Poulan DRT65 User Manual - Page 10

OPERATION 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 days to assure fuel freshness. CAUTION: Fill to within 1/2 inch of top of fuel tank to prevent spills and to allow for fuel expansion. If gasoline is accidentally spilled, move machine away from area of spill. Avoid creating any source of ignition until gasoline vapors have disappeared. Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame. • If engine fires but does not start, move choke control to half choke position. Pull recoil starter handle until engine starts. • When engine starts, slowly move choke control to "RUN" position as engine warms up. NOTE: A warm engine requires less choking to start. • Move throttle control to desired running position. • Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before engaging tines. NOTE: If at a high altitude (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. NOTE: If engine does not start, see troubleshooting points. 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 until the fuel 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. CHOKE CONTROL RUN CHOKE RECOIL STARTER HANDLE FIG. 14 TILLING HINTS (See Fig. 15) CAUTION: Until you are accustomed to handling your tiller,start actual field use with throttle in slow position (mid-way between "FAST" and "IDLE"). TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 14) • CAUTION: Keep drive control bar in "DISENGAGED" position when starting engine. When starting engine for the first time or if engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra pulls of the recoil starter to move fuel from the tank to the engine. • • Make sure spark plug wire is properly connected. • Move shift lever indicator to "N" (neutral) position. • Place throttle control in "FAST" position. • Turn fuel shut-off valve 1/4 turn to open position. • Move choke control to choke position. • • Grasp recoil starter handle with one hand and grasp tiller handle with other hand. Pull rope out slowly until engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this point). • Pull recoil starter handle quickly. Do not let starter handle snap back against starter. 10 Tilling is digging into, turning over, and breaking up packed soil before planting. Loose, unpacked soil helps root growth. Best tilling depth is 4" to 6" (10-15 cm). A tiller will also clear the soil of unwanted vegetation. The decomposition of this vegetable matter enriches the soil. Depending on the climate (rainfall and wind), it may be advisable to till the soil at the end of the growing season to further condition the soil. You will find tilling much easier if you leave a row untilled between passes. Then go back between tilled rows. (See Fig. 14) There are two reasons for doing this. First, wide turns are much easier to negotiate than about-faces. Second, the tiller won't be pulling itself, and you, toward the row next to it. Soil conditions are important for proper tilling.Tines will not readily penetrate dry, hard soil which may contribute to excessive bounce and difficult handling of your tiller. Hard soil should be moistened before tilling; however, extremely wet soil will "ball-up" or clump during tilling. Wait until the soil is less wet in order to achieve the best results. When tilling in the fall, remove vines and long grass to prevent them from wrapping around the tine shaft and slowing your tilling operation.