14
OPERATION

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 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 Instructions for additional information.
Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur.
CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank
filler neck. 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. 7)

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.
•Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake
pedal and set parking brake.
•Place motion control lever in neutral (N) position.
•Move attachment clutch to “DISENGAGED” position.
•Move throttle control to fast position
•Pull choke control out for a cold engine start attempt.
For a warm engine start attempt the choke control may
not be needed.
NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting
procedures below.
•Insert key into ignition and turn 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, push choke control in, wait a few
minutes and try again. If engine still does not start, pull
the choke control out and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50° F and above)
•When engine starts, slowly push choke control in until
the engine begins to run smoothly. If the engine starts
to run roughly, pull the choke control out slightly for a few
seconds and then continue to push the control in slowly.
•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, slowly push choke control in until
the engine begins to run smoothly. Continue to push the
choke control in small steps allowing the engine to
accept small changes in speed and load, until the choke
control is fully in. If the engine starts to run roughly, pull
the choke control out slightly for a few seconds and then
continue to push the control in slowly. This may require
an engine warm-up period from several seconds to
several minutes, depending on the temperature.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
•Before driving 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 return to operating position.
•Allow one minute for transmission to warm up. This
can be done during the engine warm up period.
•The attachments can be used during the engine warm-
up period after the transmission has been warmed up
and may require the choke control be pulled out slightly.
NOTE: If 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.
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
Customer Responsibilities section of this manual).
•To change engine oil, see the Customer Responsibili-
ties section in this manual.