Poulan PRK17G42STB owner manual To Start Engine See Fig, Mulching Mowing Tips

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OPERATION

CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame.

TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 6)

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.

Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake pedal and set parking brake.

Place gear shift lever in neutral (N) position.

Move attachment clutch to “DISENGAGED” position.

Move throttle control to choke () position.

NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting procedures below.

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, 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 and above)

When engine starts, move the throttle control to the fast position.

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 position. This may require an engine warm-up period from several seconds to several minutes, depending on the tempera- ture.

The attachments can also be used during the engine warm-up period.

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.

MOWING TIPS

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 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 finished (See Fig. 9).

If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to reduce load and possible fire 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 mowing to assure better mowing performance and proper dis- charge of material. Regulate ground speed by selecting a low enough gear to give the mower cutting perfor- mance 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.

FIG. 9

MULCHING MOWING TIPS

IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP MOWER HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND TRASH. CLEAN AFTER EACH USE.

The special mulching blade will recut the grass clippings many times and reduce them in size so that as they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass and not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass will biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn. Always mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed as this will provide the best recutting action of the blades.

Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet. Wet grass tends to form clumps and interferes with the mulching action. The best time to mow your lawn is the early afternoon. At this time the grass has dried and the newly cut area will not be exposed to the direct sun.

For best results, adjust the mower cutting height so that the mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass blades (See Fig. 10). For extremely heavy mulching, reduce your width of cut on each pass and mow slowly.

Certain types of grass and grass conditions may require that an area be mulched a second time to completely hide the clippings. When doing a second cut, mow across or perpendicular to the first cut path.

Change your cutting pattern from week to week. Mow north to south one week then change to east to west the next week. This will help prevent matting and graining of the lawn.

MAX 1/3

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FIG. 10

 

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Contents PRK17G42STB Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers Safety RulesTable of Contents Customer Responsibilities Product SpecificationsContents of Hardware Pack HOW to SET UP Your Tractor Tools Required for AssemblyTo Remove Tractor from Carton Before Removing Tractor from SkidInstall Seat See Fig To Convert to Bagging or Discharging To SET UP Your Mower for MulchingCheck Tire Pressure Check Deck LevelnessSee Safety Rules Section Battery Reverse Forward FastEngine on Engine OFF OIL Pressure Lights on LightKnow Your Tractor HOW to USE Your Tractor To Transport Before Starting the EngineTowing Carts and Other Attachments ADD GasolineTo Start Engine See Fig Mowing TipsMulching Mowing Tips General Recommendations Lubrication ChartBefore Each USE Tractor Engine Muffler CleaningSpark Plugs Engine OIL FilterTo Remove Mower See Fig To Install Mower See FigFRONT-TO-BACK Adjustment See Figs To Level Mower HousingBelt Installation To Adjust Brake See FigTo Replace Mower Blade Drive Belt See Fig To Replace Motion Drive Belt See FigTo Adjust Steering Wheel Alignment Transaxle Gear Shift Lever Neutral Adjustment See FigTo Start Engine with a Weak Battery See Fig Front Wheel TOE-IN/CAMBERTo Remove Hood and Grill Assembly See Fig Replacing Battery See FigsTo Replace Headlight Bulb Interlocks and RelaysTo Adjust Carburetor To Adjust Throttle Control Cable See FigFuel System OtherEngine OIL CylindersTroubleshooting Points OFF Tractor - Model Number PRK17G42STB Schematic2122 ElectricalKEY Part NO. NO.DESCRIPTION 142 174619 Chassis and Enclosures176554 Drive 175765 17541073900600 175578Steering Assembly 177876 175121175146 175118Seat Assembly Wheels and Tires Decals178108 178109Engine 170805 Control Th/ch Flag Mower Deck 174493 Mower Lift 159460 Wire Asm Inner/Sprg W/plunger LT Service Notes Limited Warranty Policy Sighting Guide Suggested Guide for Sighting Slopes for Safe OperationParts and Service