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.
1.
Check
engine
oil with tractor
on level
ground.
2.
Remove
oil fill cap/dipstick
and wipe
clean,
reinsert
the dipstick
and screw
cap tight, wait for a few seconds,
re-
move 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 the
oil viscosity
chart
in the Maintenance
section
of this manual).
• To change
engine
oil, see the Mainte-
nance
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 quan-
tities that can be used within
30 days to
assure
fuel freshness.
ACAUTION:
Wipe
off any spilled
oil or
fuel.
Do not store,
spill or use gasoline
near an open flame.
IMPORTANT:
When
operating
in temper-
atures
below
32°F(0°C),
use fresh,
clean
winter
grade
gasoline
to help insure
good
cold weather
starting.
CAUTION:
Alcohol
blended
fuels
(called
gasohol
or using ethanol
or methanol)
can
attract
moisture
which
leads to separa-
tion 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.
TO START
ENGINE
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.
1.
Sit on seat in operating
position,
depress
clutch/brake
pedal and set
parking
brake.
2.
Place
gear shift
lever in neutral
posi-
tion.
3.
Move attachment
clutch
to disengaged
position.
4.
Move throttle
control
to fast position
5.
Pullchokecontrol
outfor a cold enginestart
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.
6.
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)
7.
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)
8.
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 isfully in. If the
engine starts to run roughly, pull the choke
control
out slightly
for a few seconds
and
then continueto
push the control in slowly.
This
may
require
an engine
warm-up
period
from
several
seconds
to several
minutes,
depending
on the temperature.
• The attachments
can be used during
the
engine
warm-up
period
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).
14