BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL
•The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the factory, already filled with summer weight oil.
•Check engine oil with tractor on level ground.
•Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe clean, reinsert the dipstick and screw
cap tight, wait for a few seconds, remove and read oil level. If neces-
sary, add oil until "FULL" mark on dipstick is reached. Do not overfill.
•For cold weather operation you should
change oil for easier starting (See "OIL
VISCOSITY CHART" in the Mainte- nance section of this manual).
•To change engine oil, see the Mainte- nance section in this manual.
Oil Fill Cap/
Dipstick
ADDGASOLINE
•Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of
87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline will increase carbon and lead oxide
deposits and reduce valve life). Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used
within 30 days to assure fuel fresh- ness.
IMPORTANT: When operating in temperatures below 32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean winter grade gasoline to help insure good cold weather starting. a_coWARNING: Experience indicates that
hol blended fuels (called gasohol or
using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which leads to separation and
formation of acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage.
To avoid engine problems, 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 fresh fuel next season. See
Storage Instructions for additional information. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.
_iCAUTION: 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
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 "DISEN- GAGED" 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.
14