Poulan HDF550L Before Starting Engine, To Transport, Fill Engine with OIL See Fig, ADD Gasoline

OPERATION

TO TRANSPORT

CAUTION: Before lifting or transporting, allow tiller engine and muffler to cool. Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain gasoline from fuel tank.

AROUND THE YARD

•Tip depth stake forward until it is held by the stake spring.

•Push tiller handles down, raising tines off the ground.

•Push or pull tiller to desired location.

AROUND TOWN

•Disconnect spark plug wire.

•Drain fuel tank.

•Transport in upright position to prevent oil leakage.

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

IMPORTANT: BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO ALLOW DIRT TO ENTER THE ENGINE WHEN CHECKING OR ADDING OIL OR FUEL. USE CLEAN OIL AND FUEL AND STORE IN APPROVED, CLEAN, COVERED CONTAINERS. USE CLEAN FILL FUNNELS.

FILL ENGINE WITH OIL (See Fig. 7)

•With engine level, remove engine oil filler plug.

•Fill engine with oil to point of overflowing. For approx- imate capacity see “PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS” on page 3 of this manual.

•Tilt tiller back on its wheels and then re-level.

•With engine level, refill to point of overflowing if nec- essary. Replace oil filler plug.

•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 of this manual.

OIL

LEVEL

OIL

FILLER

PLUG

FIG. 7

ADD GASOLINE

•Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gaso- line. (Use of leaded gasoline will increase carbon and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life.)

IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 32°F (0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN, WINTER GRADE GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER STARTING.

WARNING: 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 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 section of this manual for additional information. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.

CAUTION: Fill to within 1/2 inch of top of fuel tank to prevent spills and to allow for fuel expansion. If gasoline is accidentally spilled,move machine away from area of spill. Avoid creating any source of igni- tion until gasoline vapors have disappeared.

Do not overfill. Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame.

TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 8)

CAUTION: Keep drive control bar in “DISENGAGED” position when start- ing engine.

When starting engine for the first time or if engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra pulls of the recoil starter to move fuel from the tank to the engine.

•Make sure spark plug wire is properly connected.

•Move shift lever indicator to “N” (neutral) position.

•Place throttle control in “FAST” position.

•Turn fuel shut-off valve 1/4 turn to open position.

•Move choke control to choke position.

•Grasp recoil starter handle with one hand and grasp tiller handle with other hand. Pull rope out slowly until engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this point).

•Pull recoil starter handle quickly. Do not let starter handle snap back against starter.

•If engine fires but does not start, move choke control to half choke position. Pull recoil starter handle until engine starts.

•When engine starts, slowly move choke control to "RUN" position as engine warms up.

NOTE: A warm engine requires less choking to start.

•Move throttle control to desired running position.

•Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before engaging tines.

NOTE: If at a high altitude (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.

NOTE: If engine does not start, see troubleshooting points.

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