OPERATION
TO OPERATE ON HILLS
CAUTION: Do not drive up or down hills with slopes greater than 15° and do not drive across any slope.
•Choosethelowestspeed beforestartingupordownhills.
•Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills.
•If slowing is necessary, move throttle control lever to slower position.
•If stopping is absolutely necessary, push clutch/brake pedalquicklytobrakepositionandengageparkingbrake.
•Move motion control lever to neutral position.
IMPORTANT: THE MOTION CONTROL LEVER DOES NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL POSITION WHEN THE CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
•To restart movement, slowly release parking brake and clutch/brake pedal.
•Slowly move motion control lever to slowest setting.
•Make all turns slowly.
TO TRANSPORT (See Fig. 12)
When pushing or towing your tractor, be sure to disengage transmission by placing freewheel control in freewheeling position. Free wheel control is located at the rear drawbar of tractor.
•Raise attachment lift to highest position with attachment lift control.
•Pull freewheel control out and into the slot and release so it is held in the disengaged position.
•Do not push or tow tractor at more than two (2) MPH.
•To reengage transmission, reverse above procedure.
NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transporting your tractor on a truck or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and secured to tractor. Use an appropriate means of tying hood to tractor (rope, cord, etc.).
TRANSMISSION ENGAGED
TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED
Fig. 12
TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS
Tow only the attachments that are recommended by and comply with specifications of the manufacturer of your trac- tor. Use common sense when towing. Too heavy of a load, while on a slope, is dangerous. Tires can lose traction with the ground and cause you to lose control of your tractor.
SERVICE REMINDER/HOUR METER
Service reminder shows the total number of hours the engine has run and flashes to indicate that the engine or mower needs servicing. When service is required, the service reminder will flash for two hours. To service engine and mower, see the Maintenance section of this manual.
NOTE: Service reminder runs when the ignition key is in any position but "STOP". For accurate reading, be sure key remains in the "STOP" position when engine is not running.
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 necessary, 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 Maintenance section of this manual).
•To change engine oil, see the Maintenance section in this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
•Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do not overfill. 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.
CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame.
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE GASOLINE TO HELP ENSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER STARTING.
CAUTION: 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 sys- tem 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.
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