Mowing Tips, Purge Transmission | Poulan 404040, 96012005300

OPERATION

•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.

COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50° F and below)

•When engine starts, allow engine to run with the throttle control in the choke position until the engine runs roughly, then move throttle control to fast posi- tion. 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 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 clutch/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 also be used during the engine warm-up period after the transmission has been warmed up.

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 run-

ning.

To ensure proper operation and performance, it is recom- mended that the transmission be purged before operating tractor for the ﬁ rst 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 a level surface - that is clear and open - with engine off and parking brake set.

•Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control in freewheeling position (See “TOTRANSPORT” in this section of manual).

•Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine is running, move throttle control to slow position. With motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly dis- engage clutch/brake pedal.

CAUTION: At any time, during step 4, there may be movement of the drive wheels.

•Move motion control lever to full forward position and hold for ﬁ ve (5) seconds. Move lever to full reverse position and hold for ﬁ ve (5) seconds. Repeat this procedure three (3) times.

•Move motion control lever to neutral (N) position. Shut- off engine and set parking brake.

•Engage transmission by placing freewheel control in engaged position (See “TO TRANSPORT” in this sec- tion of manual).

•Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine is running, move throttle control to half (1/2) speed. With motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly disengage clutch/brake pedal.

•Slowly move motion control lever forward, after the tractor moves approximately ﬁve (5) feet, slowly move motion control lever to reverse position. After the trac- tor moves approximately ﬁve (5) feet return the mo- tion control lever to the neutral (N) position. Repeat this procedure with the motion control lever three (3) times.

Your transmission is now purged and now ready for normal operation.

MOWING TIPS

•Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing per- formance. See “TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING” in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

•The left hand side of mower should be used for trim- ming.

•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 ﬁ nished (See Fig. 9).

FIG. 9

•If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to reduce load and possible ﬁ re hazard from dried clip- pings. 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 mow- ing to assure better mowing performance and proper discharge of material. Regulate ground speed by se- lecting 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.