Poulan 184314 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. 8)

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 brake pedal into full “BRAKE” position and hold.

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

CHOKE		ATTACHMENT
CONTROL		CLUTCH LEVER
THROTTLE		PULL OUT TO
	IGNITION	“ENGAGE”
CONTROL
	KEY	PUSH IN TO
HEIGHT		“DISENGAGE”
ADJUSTMENT		REVERSE
KNOB
		PEDAL
“BRAKE”		FORWARD
POSITION
		PEDAL
		CRUISE
		CONTROL
		LEVER
BRAKE PEDAL	“DISENGAGED”	PARKING BRAKE
“DRIVE” POSITION	POSITION	“ENGAGED”

POSITION

FIG. 8

STOPPING (See Fig. 8)

MOWER BLADES -

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

GROUND DRIVE -

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

IMPORTANT: FORWARD AND REVERSE DRIVE PEDALS R E T U R N T O N E U T R A L P O S I T I O N W H E N N O T DEPRESSED.

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.

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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. 8)

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. 8)

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. 8)

The direction and speed of movement is controlled by the forward and reverse drive pedals.

•Start tractor and release parking brake.

•Slowly depress forward or reverse drive pedal to begin movement. Ground speed increases the further down the pedal is depressed.

TO USE CRUISE CONTROL (See Fig. 8)

The cruise control feature can be used for forward travel only.

SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS

The cruise control should only be used while mowing or transporting on relatively smooth, straight surfaces. Other conditions such as trimming at slow speeds may cause the cruise control to disengage. do not use the cruise control on slopes, rough terrain or while trimming or turning.

•With forward drive pedal depressed to desired speed, move cruise control lever forward to “SET” position and hold while lifting your foot off the pedal, then release the cruise control lever.

•To disengage the cruise control, pull the lever backward to “OFF” position, or fully depress the brake pedal.

TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT (See Fig. 8)

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". 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.