Poulan PKGTH2554 User Manual - Page 15

OPERATION COLD WEATHER STARTING (50° F and below) • When engine starts, slowly push choke control in until the engine begins to run smoothly. Continue to push the choke control in small steps allowing the engine to accept small changes in speed and load, until the choke control is fully in. If the engine starts to run roughly, pull the choke control out slightly for a few seconds and then continue to push the control in slowly. This may require an engine warm-up period from several seconds to several minutes, depending on the temperature. NOTE:In extreme cold conditions, if engine will not start, you may need to disengage the motion drive belt as follows: • Be sure parking brake is engaged. • Remove retainer spring from the drive belt tension handle to relieve belt tension. • Start engine and allow it to warm up for three (3) minutes. • Shut-off engine and engage parking brake. • Engage drive belt tension handle and replace the retainer spring. 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. • Place the motion control lever in neutral. 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. NOTE: During this procedure there will be no movement of drive wheels. The air is being removed from hydraulic drive system. • Move motion control lever to neutral (N) position. Shutoff engine and set parking brake. • Engage transmission by placing freewheel control in driving 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. • Slowly move motion control lever forward, after the tractor moves approximately five (5) feet, slowly move motion control lever to reverse position. After the tractor moves approximately five (5) feet return the motion control lever to the neutral (N) position. Repeat this procedure with the motion control lever three (3) times. • Your tractor is now purged and now ready for normal operation. MOWING TIPS • Tire chains cannot be used when the mower housing is attached to tractor. • 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 tractor. 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. 13). PURGE TRANSMISSION CAUTION: Never engage or disengage freewheel lever while the engine is running. To ensure proper operation and performance, it is recommended 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 developed 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 • Move motion control lever to full forward position and hold for five (5) seconds. Move lever to full reverse • position and hold for five (5) seconds. Repeat this procedure three (3) times. 15 FIG. 13 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.