Poulan PD20PH42STA User Manual - Page 14

OPERATION AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP • Before driving the unit in cold weather, the transmission should be warmed up as follows: • Be sure the tractor is on level ground. • Release the parking brake and let the 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 be used during the engine warm- up period after the transmission has been warmed up and may require the choke control be pulled out slightly. 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. PURGE TRANSMISSION CAUTION: Never engage or disengage freewheel lever while the engine is running. 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 been cut. Have the cut area to the right of the machine. 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 (See Fig. 11). 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 • REMOVAL FOR SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT, IT SHOULD BE PURGED AFTER REINSTALLATION BEFORE OPERATING 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 "TO TRANSPORT" in this • section of manual). • Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine is running, move throttle control to slow position. Disengage parking brake • Depress forward drive pedal to full forward position, • hold for five (5) seconds and release pedal. Depress reverse drive pedal to full reverse position, hold for five (5) seconds and release pedal. Repeat this procedure three (3) times. NOTE: During this procedure there will be no movement of drive wheels. The air is being removed from hydraulic drive system. • Shut- off engine and set parking brake. • Engage transmission by placing freewheel control in engaged position (See "TO TRANSPORT" in this section of manual). • Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine is running, move throttle control to half (1/2) speed. Disengage parking brake. • Drive tractor forward for approximately five feet then backwards for five feet. Repeat this driving procedure three times. Your transmission is now purged and now ready for normal operation. 14 FIG. 11 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. 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.