17
TO START ENGINE
When starting the engine for the fi rst 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
trans mis sion en gaged position.
2. Sit on seat in operating position,
depress brake pedal and set parking
brake.
3. Move attachment clutch to dis en gaged
po si tion.
4. Move throttle control to fast position
5. Pull choke control out for a cold engine
start attempt. For a warm engine start
attempt the choke con trol may not be
needed.
NOTE:
Before starting, read the warm and
cold starting procedures below.
6. Insert key into ignition and turn key
clock wise to start position and release
key as soon as engine starts. Do
not run starter con tin u ous ly for more
than fi fteen sec onds 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 con-
trol 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 en gine 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 en gine and
allow it to warm up for one minute using
the choke as de scribed above.
COLD WEATHER STARTING (50° F and
below)
7. 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 en-
gine 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
sec onds to several minutes, depending
on the temperature.
NOTE:
In extreme cold conditions, if
engine will not start you may need to dis-
engage the motion drive belt as follows:
1. Be sure parking brake is engaged.
2. Remove retainer spring from the drive
belt tension handle to relieve belt ten-
sion.
3. Start engine and allow it to warm up for
three (3) minutes.
4. Shut-off engine and engage parking
brake.
5. Engage drive belt tension handle and
replace the retainer spring.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
Before driving the unit in cold weath er,
the trans mis sion should be warmed up as
follows:
1. Be sure the tractor is on level ground.
2. Place the motion control lever in
neu tral. Release the parking brake and
let the brake slowly return to operating
position.
3. Allow one minute for trans mis sion to
warm up. This can be done during the
en gine warm up period.
• The attachments can be used during
the engine warm-up period after the
trans mis sion has been warmed up and
may require the choke con trol be pulled
out slight ly.
NOTE:
If at a high altitude (above 3000
feet) or in cold temperatures (below 32 F)
the car bu re tor fuel mixture may need to
be adjusted for best engine performance
(see “TO ADJUST CARBURETOR” in the
Service and Ad just ments section of this
manual).
CAUTION
: Alcohol blended fuels (called
gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can
attract moisture which leads to separa-
tion and for ma tion 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 stor age 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 In struc tions for
additional information. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur.
