•Unthread and remove oil fill cap/dip- stick; wipe oil off. Reinsert the dipstick into the tube and rest oil fill cap on the tube. Do not thread the cap onto the tube. Remove and read oil level. If nec- essary, add oil until UFULL" 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 Maintenance section of this manual).
•To change engine oil, see the Maintenance section in this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
•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 freshness. IMPORTANT: When operating in tempera- tures below 32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean winter grade gasoline to help insure good _l_NAweather starting.
RNING: Experience indicates that alcohol 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 emp- tied 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 informa- tion. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or perma- _nt damage may occur.
CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank filler neck. Do not overfm. V_pe 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.
•Be sure freewheel control is in the
| transmission | engaged | position. |
• | onssat | operat j | depress |
_utc_rak_ ped_andsstpaddngbrske.
•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 tum 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 posi- tion. This may require an engine warm- up period from several seconds to sev-
eral minutes, depending on the temper- ature.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
•Before ddving 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 retum 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 dur- ing the engine
NOTE: 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.
•Place motion control lever in neutral (N)
position.15