Poulan 178500 owner manual HOW to USE Your Tractor

OPERATION

The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields while operating your tractor or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend a wide vision safety mask over spectacles or standard safety glasses.

HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR

TO SET PARKING BRAKE (See Fig. 9)

Your tractor is equipped with an operator presence sensing switch. When engine is running, any attempt by the operator to leave the seat without first setting the parking brake will shut off the engine.

•Depress clutch/brake pedal into full “BRAKE” position and hold.

•Place parking brake lever in “ENGAGED” position and release pressure from clutch/brake pedal. Pedal should remain in “BRAKE” position. Make sure parking brake will hold tractor secure.

	PUSH IN TO		ATTACHMENT CLUTCH
CHOKE			SWITCH	PULL OUT TO
	“DISENGAGE”
CONTROL			“ENGAGE”
THROTTLE
CONTROL
LEVER
		IGNITION
		KEY PARKING BRAKE
			“ENGAGED” POSITION
				“DISENGAGED”
				POSITION
				GEAR
CLUTCH/BRAKE		HEIGHT		SHIFT
PEDAL “BRAKE” “DRIVE”		ADJUSTMENT		LEVER
POSITION	POSITION KNOB

FIG. 9

STOPPING (See Fig. 9)

MOWER BLADES -

•To stop mower blades,move attachment clutch switch to “DISENGAGED” position.

GROUND DRIVE -

•To stop ground drive, depress clutch/brake pedal into full “BRAKE” position.

•Move gearshift lever to neutral (N) position.

ENGINE -

•Move throttle control to slow position.

NOTE: Failure to move throttle control to slow position and allowing engine to idle before stopping may cause engine to “backfire”.

•Turn ignition key to “OFF” position and remove key. Always remove key when leaving tractor to prevent unauthorized use.

•Never use choke to stop engine.

IMPORTANT: LEAVING THE IGNITION SWITCH IN ANY POSITION OTHER THAN "OFF" WILL CAUSE THE BATTERY TO BE DISCHARGED, (DEAD).

NOTE: Under certain conditions when tractor is standing idle with the engine running, hot engine exhaust gases may cause “browning” of grass. To eliminate this possibility, always stop engine when stopping tractor on grass areas.

CAUTION: Always stop tractor com- pletely, as described above, before leav- ing the operator's position; to empty grass catcher, etc.

TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL (See Fig. 9)

Always operate engine at full throttle.

•Operating engine at less than full throttle reduces the battery charging rate.

•Full throttle offers the best bagging and mower perfor- mance.

TO USE CHOKE CONTROL (See Fig. 9)

Use choke control whenever you are starting a cold engine. Do not use to start a warm engine.

•To engage choke control, pull knob out. Slowly push knob in to disengage.

TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD (See Fig. 9)

The direction and speed of movement is controlled by the gearshift lever.

•Start tractor with clutch/brake pedal depressed and gearshift lever in neutral (N) position.

•Move gearshift and range shift levers to desired posi- tion.

•Slowly release clutch/brake pedal to start movement.

IMPORTANT: BRING TRACTOR TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE SHIFTING OR CHANGING GEARS. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL SHORTEN THE USEFUL LIFE OF YOUR TRANSAXLE.

TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT (See Fig. 9)

The cutting height is controlled by turning the height adjust- ment knob in desired direction.

•Turn knob clockwise () to raise cutting height.

•Turn knob counterclockwise () to lower cutting height.

The cutting height range is approximately 1-1/2" to 4-1/2". The heights are measured from the ground to the blade tip with the engine not running. These heights are approximate and may vary depending upon soil conditions, height of grass and types of grass being mowed.

•The average lawn should be cut to approximately 2-1/2 inches during the cool season and to over 3 inches during hot months. For healthier and better looking lawns, mow often and after moderate growth.

•For best cutting performance, grass over 6 inches in height should be mowed twice. Make the first cut

12relatively high; the second to desired height.