Poulan PRK17G42STA owner manual TO START ENGINE See Fig, Mulching Mowing Tips, Operation

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TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 6)

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 (MOWING TIPSMULCHING MOWING TIPSManual background) 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 (Manual backgroundManual backgroundManual background) 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 (Manual backgroundManual backgroundManual background) 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 LAWN TRACTOR IMPORTANT MANUALAlways Wear Eye Protection During Operation PRK17G42STASafe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers SAFETY RULESTABLE OF CONTENTS CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONSSteering Wheel CONTENTS OF HARDWARE PACKSeat KeysTOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY ASSEMBLYHOW TO SET UP YOUR TRACTOR CHECK BATTERY See FigINSTALL SEAT See Fig TO SET UP YOUR MOWER FOR MULCHING CHECKLISTTO INSTALL MULCHER PLATE See Fig TO CONVERT TO BAGGING OR DISCHARGINGOPERATION HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT KNOB - Used to adjust the mower cutting height KNOW YOUR TRACTORTO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT See Fig HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTORTO SET PARKING BRAKE See Fig STOPPING See FigBEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS See FigTO TRANSPORT TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTSTO START ENGINE See Fig MOWING TIPSMULCHING MOWING TIPS MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE LUBRICATION CHARTCUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONSTRACTOR BATTERYBRAKE OPERATION TIRESCLEAN AIR INTAKE/COOLING AREAS CLEAN AIR SCREENENGINE V-BELTSAIR FILTER See Fig CLEANINGMUFFLER SPARK PLUGSTO INSTALL MOWER See Fig SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTSTO REMOVE MOWER See Fig TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING TO REPLACE MOWER BLADE DRIVE BELT See Fig TO ADJUST BRAKE See FigTO REPLACE MOTION DRIVE BELT See Fig WITH PARKING BRAKETO 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 Figs. 28 andTO REPLACE HEADLIGHT BULB INTERLOCKS AND RELAYSTO ADJUST CARBURETOR TO ADJUST THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE See FigCABLE CLAMP SCREW SPEED CONTROL BRACKET THROTTLE LEVER OTHER STORAGEFUEL SYSTEM ENGINE OILPROBLEM TROUBLESHOOTING POINTSCAUSE CORRECTIONEngine continues to run TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PRK17G42STA SCHEMATICELECTRICAL REPAIR PARTSKEY PART NO. NO.DESCRIPTION 114 REPAIR PARTSCHASSIS AND ENCLOSURES TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PRK17G42STAScrew Hex Wshd 8-18 x 7/8 CHASSIS AND ENCLOSURESDRIVE TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PRK17G42STA STEERING ASSEMBLY Washer Flat .781 x 1-1/2 x Adaptor Wheel StrgSEAT ASSEMBLY WHEELS AND TIRES DECALSBearing Flange Front Wheel Only OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT Spark Arrester ENGINETRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PRK17G42STA MOWER DECK TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER PRK17G42STA MOWER LIFT Washer 11/32 x 1-1/2 10 Ga Page LIMITED WARRANTY LIMITED WARRANTIES FOR NEW PEERLESS GEAR POWER TRAIN COMPONENTS WARRANTYC. Securing Warranty Service E. No Dealer WarrantySIGHTING GUIDE SUGGESTED GUIDE FOR SIGHTING SLOPES FOR SAFE OPERATIONONLY RIDE UP AND DOWN HILL, NOT ACROSS HILL SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH SKY LINE OR TREE 15 MAXFOR SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT PARTS PARTS AND SERVICE