Poulan PR20PH42STB owner manual Purge Transmission, Mulching Mowing Tips

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OPERATION

PURGE TRANSMISSION

CAUTION: Never engage or disengage freewheel lever while the engine is

running.

To ensure proper operation and performance, it is recom- mended that the transmission be purged before operating tractor for the first time. This procedure will remove any trapped air inside the transmission which may have devel- oped during shipping of your tractor.

I M P O R T A N T : S H O U L D Y O U R T R A N S M I S S I O N REQUIRE REMOVAL FOR SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT, IT SHOULD BE PURGED AFTER REINSTALLATION BEFORE OPERATING THE TRACTOR.

Place tractor safely on level surface with engine off and parking brake set.

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

Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine is running, move throttle control to slow position. Disengage parking brake

Depress forward drive pedal to full forward position, hold for five (5) seconds and release pedal. Depress reverse drive pedal to full reverse position, hold for five

(5) seconds and release pedal. Repeat this procedure three (3) times.

NOTE: During this procedure there will be no movement of drive wheels. The air is being removed from hydraulic drive system.

Shut- off engine and set parking brake.

Engage transmission by placing freewheel control in driving position (See “TO TRANSPORT” in this section of manual).

Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine is running, move throttle control to half (1/2) speed. Disengage parking brake.

Drive tractor forward for approximately five feet then backwards for five feet. Repeat this driving procedure three times.

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

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. 10).

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. 10

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. 11). 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

15

FIG. 11

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Contents PR20PH42STB Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers Safety Rules Table of Contents Keys Unassembled PartsSteering Wheel SeatTo Remove Tractor from Carton AssemblyTools Required for Assembly HOW to SET UP Your TractorInstall Seat See Fig To SET UP Your Mower for Mulching Install Mulcher Plate See FigTo Convert to Bagging or Discharging Check Brake System Check Tire PressureCheck Mower Levelness Check for Proper Position of ALL BeltsOperation Battery Reverse Forward FastKnow Your Tractor HOW to USE Your Tractor To Transport See Figs To Adjust Gauge Wheels See FigTo Operate Mower See Fig To Operate on HillsTo Start Engine See Fig Before Starting the EngineCheck Engine OIL Level ADD GasolinePurge Transmission Mowing TipsMulching Mowing Tips General Recommendations Service DatesLubrication Chart Customer ResponsibilitiesTires Blade Care BatteryTractor Brake OperationEngine Engine OIL Filter CleaningMuffler Spark PlugsService and Adjustments To Install Mower See FigTo Remove Mower See Fig To Level Mower Housing To Replace Mower Blade Drive Belt See FigBelt Removal To Replace Motion Drive Belt See Fig To Adjust Brake See FigTransmission REMOVAL/REPLACEMENT To Adjust Steering Wheel AlignmentTo Attach Jumper Cables To Start Engine with a Weak Battery See FigReplacing Battery See Fig To Remove Wheel for Repairs See FigTo Replace Headlight Bulb Interlocks and RelaysTo Replace Fuse To Adjust Carburetor Engine OIL StorageOther Fuel SystemProblem Cause Correction Troubleshooting PointsOFF Tractor Model Number PR20PH42STB SchematicIgnition Switch Wiring Insulated Clips PTO SwitchElectrical 175688 KEY Part DescriptionChassis and Enclosures Bracket Fender Drive Repair PartsTransaxle Order parts from Steering Assembly 180657 Engine Optional EquipmentKEY Part NO. NO. Description Seat Assembly Wheels & Tires DecalsMower Lift Mower Deck Bar Adjusting Gauge Wheel Service Notes Service Notes Limited Warranty Only Ride UP and Down Hill Not Across Hill Degrees MAX Suggested Guide for Sighting Slopes for Safe OperationParts and Service