Poulan HDF550 User Manual - Page 8

OPERATION TO TRANSPORT CAUTION: Before lifting or transporting, allow tiller engine and muffler to cool. Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain gasoline from fuel tank. AROUND THE YARD • Tip depth stake forward until it is held by the stake spring. • Push tiller handles down, raising tines off the ground. 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. • Push or pull tiller to desired location. AROUND TOWN • Disconnect spark plug wire. IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES BELOW32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER STARTING. • Drain fuel tank. • Transport in upright position to prevent oil leakage. BEFORE STARTING ENGINE IMPORTANT: BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO ALLOW DIRT TO ENTER THE ENGINE WHEN CHECKING OR ADDING OIL OR FUEL. USE CLEAN OIL AND FUEL AND STORE IN APPROVED, CLEAN, COVERED CONTAINERS. USE CLEAN FILL FUNNELS. FILL ENGINE WITH OIL (See Fig. 7) • With engine level, remove engine oil filler plug. • Fill engine with oil to point of overflowing. For approx- imate capacity see "PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this manual. 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. • Tilt tiller back on its wheels and then re-level. • With engine level, refill to point of overflowing if necessary. Replace oil filler plug. • For cold weather operation you should change oil for easier starting (See "OIL VISCOSITY CHART" in the Maintenance section of this manual). TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 8) CAUTION: Keep drive control bar in "DISENGAGED" position when starting engine. • To change engine oil, see the Maintenance section of this manual. 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. OIL LEVEL • Place throttle control in "FAST" position. • Turn fuel shut-off valve 1/4 turn to open position. • Move choke control to choke position. engine_art_4 FIG. 7 OIL FILLER PLUG • 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. • If engine fires but does not start, move choke control to half choke position. Pull recoil starter handle until engine starts. ADD GASOLINE • When engine starts, slowly move choke control to • Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do not overfill. "RUN" position as engine warms up. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline with a NOTE: A warm engine requires less choking to start. minimum of 87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline will • Move throttle control to desired running position. increase carbon and lead oxide deposits and reduce • Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before valve life). Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel engaging tines. in quantities that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness. 8