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 quanti-
ties that can be used within
30 days to
assure
fuel freshness.
_f:I, C AUTION:
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 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 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.
Be sure freewheel
control
is in the
transmission
engaged
position.
2.
Sit on seat in operating
position,
depress
brake
pedal and set parking
brake.
3.
Move attachment
clutch
to disengaged
position.
4.
Move throttle
control
to choke
position.
NOTE:
Before
starting,
read the warm
and cold starting
procedures
below.
5.
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,
move throttle
control
to fast
position,
wait a few minutes
and try
again.
If engine
still does
not start,
move the throttle
control
back to the
choke
position
and retry.
WARM
WEATHER
STARTING
(50 ° F/10°C
and above)
6.
When
engine
starts,
move the throttle
control
to the fast position.
• 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/10°C
and below)
7.
When
engine
starts,
leave throttle
control
in choke
position
until engine
warms
up and begins
to run roughly.
Once
rough
running
begins,
immedi-
ately move the throttle
control
to the
fast position.
Engine
warm-up
may
take from
several
seconds
to several
minutes
(the colder
the temperature,
the longer
the warm-up).
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
WARM UP
Before
driving
the unit in cold weather,
the transmission
should
be warmed
up as
follows:
1.
Be sure the tractor
is on level ground.
2.
Release
the parking
brake
and let the
brake
slowly
return
to operating
posi-
tion.
3.
Allow
one minute
for transmission
to
warm
up. This can be done during
the engine
warm
up period.
• The attachments
can also be used dur-
ing the engine
warm-up
period
after the
transmission
has been warmed
up.
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).
RGE
TRANSMISSION
CAUTION:
Never
engage
or disen-
gage freewheel
lever while
the engine
is
running.
To ensure
proper
operation
and per-
formance,
it is recommended
that the
transmission
be purged
before
operating
tractor
for the first time.
This procedure
will
remove
any trapped
air inside the trans-
mission
which
may have
developed
during
shipping
of your tractor.
14