
16
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do
not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular
gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane.
Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase
fuel in quantities that can be used within
30 days to ensure fuel freshness.
CAUTION:Wipeoffanyspilledoilorfuel.
Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an
open flame.
IMPORTANT: When operating in tempera-
tures below 32°F (0°C), use fresh, clean
winter grade gasoline to help ensure good
cold weather starting.
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called
gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can
attract moisture which leads to separation
andformationofacidsduringstorage. Acidic
gascandamagethefuelsystemofanengine
whileinstorage. Toavoidengineproblems,
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
freshfuelnextseason. SeeStorageInstruc-
tions for additional information. Never use
engineor carburetorcleanerproductsinthe
fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.
Fuelstabilizerisanacceptablealternativein
minimizingtheformationoffuelgumdeposits
duringstorage. Addstabilizertogasolinein
fueltankorstoragecontainer. Alwaysfollow
the mix ratio found on stabilizer container.
Run engine at least 10 minutes after adding
stabilizer to allow the stabilizer to reach the
carburetor. Do not empty the gas tank and
carburetor if using fuel stabilizer.
TO START ENGINE
Whenstartingthe engine forthefirsttime 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. Ensure freewheel control is in the trans-
mission engaged position.
2. Sitonseatinoperatingposition,depress
clutch/brakepedalandsetparkingbrake.
3. Place motion control lever in neutral
position.
4. Move attachment clutch to disengaged
position.
5. Move throttle control to choke position.
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
keyassoonasenginestarts.Donotrun
startercontinuouslyformorethanfifteen
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.
WARM WEATHER STARTING
(50°F (10°C) and above)
7. When engine starts, move the throttle
control to the fast position.
• The attachments and ground drive
can now be used. If the engine does
notacceptthe load, restarttheengine
andallowittowarmupforoneminute
using the choke as described above.
COLD WEATHER STARTING
(50°F (10°C) and below)
7. Whenenginestarts,leavethrottlecontrol
in choke position until engine warms up
and begins to run roughly. Once rough
running begins, immediately move the
throttlecontroltothefastposition.Engine
warm-upmaytakefromseveralseconds
to several minutes (the colder the tem-
perature, the longer the warm-up).
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
Before driving the unit in cold weather, the
transmission should be warmed up as fol-
lows:
1. Ensure the tractor is on level ground.
2. Placethemotioncontrolleverinneutral.
Release the parking brake and let the
clutch/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 also be used
duringtheenginewarm-upperiodafter
thetransmissionhasbeenwarmedup.
PURGE TRANSMISSION
CAUTION: Neverengageordisengage
freewheel lever while the engine is running.
Toensureproperoperationandperformance,
it is recommended that the transmission be
purged before operating tractor for the first
time.Thisprocedurewillremoveanytrapped
air inside the transmission which may have
developed during shipping of your tractor.