Poulan PB185H42LT User Manual - Page 13

OPERATION Transmission Engaged Transmission Disengaged FIG. 7 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. TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 4) Tow only the attachments that are recommended by and comply with specifications of the manufacturer of your tractor. Use common sense when towing. Too heavy of a load, while on a slope, is dangerous. Tires can lose traction with the ground and cause you to lose control of your tractor. 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 sure freewheel control is in the transmission engaged position. BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE • Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake pedal and set parking brake. CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL • The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the factory, already filled with summer weight oil. • Place motion control lever in neutral (N) position. • Move attachment clutch to "DISENGAGED" position. • Move throttle control to choke position. • Check engine oil with tractor on level ground. • Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe clean, reinsert the 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. NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting procedures below. • Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to"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 throttle control to fast position, wait a few minutes and try again. If engine still does not start, move the throttle control back to the choke position and retry. 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. WARM WEATHER STARTING (50° F and above) • When engine starts, move the throttle control to the fast position. • The attachments and ground drive can now be used. If the engine does not accept the load, restart the engine and allow it to warm up for one minute using the choke as described above. COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50° F and below) • When engine starts, allow engine to run with the CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or throttle control in the choke position until the engine fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline runs roughly, then move throttle control to fast posi- near an open flame. tion. This may require an engine warm-up period from several seconds to several minutes, depending on the IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES temperature. BELOW32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP STARTING. • Before driving the unit in cold weather, 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 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 13 up.