Poulan PKGTH2554 User Manual - Page 14

OPERATION • If stopping is absolutely necessary, push brake pedal quickly to brake position and engage parking brake. IMPORTANT: THE MOTION CONTROL LEVER RETURNS TO NEUTRAL (N) POSITION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS FULLY DEPRESSED. • To restart movement, slowly release parking brake and brake pedal. • Slowly move motion control lever to slowest setting. • Make all turns slowly. TO TRANSPORT (See Figs. 8 and 12) When pushing or towing your tractor, be sure to disengage transmission by placing freewheel control in freewheeling position. Free wheel control is located at the rear drawbar of tractor. • Raise attachment lift to highest position with attachment lift control. • Pull freewheel control out and into the slot and release so it is held in the disengaged position. • Do not push or tow tractor at more than two (2) MPH. • To reengage transmission, reverse above procedure. NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transporting your tractor on a truck or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and secured to tractor. Use an appropriate means of tying hood to tractor (rope, cord, etc.). 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: Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame. 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. TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 8) 02219 FIG. 12 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. TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACH- • Sit on seat in operating position, depress brake pedal and set parking brake. MENTS • Move attachment clutch to "DISENGAGED" position. 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 • Move throttle control to fast position • Pull choke control out for a cold engine start attempt. For a warm engine start attempt the choke control may not be needed. the ground and cause you to lose control of your tractor. NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE procedures below. • Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL "START" position and release key as soon as engine starts. Do not run starter continuously for more than The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the factory, already filled with summer weight oil. • Check engine oil with tractor on level ground. fifteen seconds per minute. If the engine does not start after several attempts, push choke control in, wait a few minutes and try again. If engine still does not start, pull the choke control out and retry. • Unthread and remove oil fill cap/dipstick; wipe oil off. Reinsert the dipstick into the tube and rest oil fill cap on WARM WEATHER STARTING (50° F and above) the tube. Do not thread the cap onto the tube. Remove • When engine starts, slowly push choke control in until the and read oil level. If necessary, add oil until "FULL" engine begins to run smoothly. If the engine starts to run mark on dipstick is reached. Do not overfill. roughly, pull the choke control out slightly for a few seconds • For cold weather operation you should change oil for and then continue to push the control in slowly. easier starting (See "OIL VISCOSITY CHART" in the • The attachments and ground drive can now be used. If Maintenance section of this manual). the engine does not accept the load, restart the engine • To change engine oil, see the Maintenance section in this manual. 14 and allow it to warm up for one minute using the choke as described above.