
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL
The engine in your tractor has been shipped,
from the factory, already filled with summer
weight oil.
1. Check engine oil with tractor on level
ground.
2. Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe
clean, reinsert the dipstick and screw cap
tight, wait for afew 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 the oil
viscosity chart in the Maintenance section
of this manual).
, To change engine oil, see the Maintenance
section in this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
•Fill fuel tank to bottom offiller 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 below 32°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
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.
1. Be sure freewheel control is in the trans-
mission engaged position.
2. Sit on seat in operating position, depress
brake pedal and set parking brake.
3. Move attachment clutch to disengaged
position.
4. Move throttle control to fast position
5. Pull choke control outforacold enginestart
attempt. For awarm engine start attempt
the choke control may not be needed.
NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and
cold starting procedures below.
6. 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, push
choke control in, wait a few minutes and
try again. If engine still does not start,
pull the choke control out and retry.
WARM WEATH E R STARTING (50 °F& above)
7. When engine starts, slowly push choke
control in until the engine begins to run
smoothly. 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.
, 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.
CO LD WEATH E R STARTI NG (50 ° F & below)
7. 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.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
Before driving the unit in cold weather, the
transmission should bewarmed up as follows:
1. Be sure the tractor is on level ground.
2. Release the parking brake and let the
brake slowly return to operating position.
3. 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 transmis-
sion has been warmed up and may require
the choke control be pulled out slightly.
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