SERVICE
REMINDER/HOUR
METER
Service
reminder
shows
the total
number
of hours the engine
has run and flashes
to
indicate
that the engine
or mower
needs ser-
vicing.
When service
is required,
the service
reminder
will flash for two hours.
To service
engine
and
mower,
see the
Maintenance
section
of this manual.
NOTE:
Service
reminder
runs when the igni-
tion key is in any position
but "STOP".
For
accurate
reading,
be sure key remains
in the
"STOP"
position
when engine
is not running.
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, remove and read
oil level. If necessary, add oil until "FULE'
mark on dipstick is reached. Do notoverfill.
• 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, seethe Maintenance
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.
Purchasefuel
in quantities
thatcan
be used
within
30 days to assure
fuel freshness.
_CAUTION:
Wipe
offany
spilled
oil or fuel.
Do not store,
spill or use gasoline
near an
open flame.
IMPORTANT:
When
operating
in tempera-
tures below32°
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 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.
Usefresh
fuel next season.
See Storage
Instructions
foradditional
information.
Never use engine
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 trans-
mission
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 fast position
5.
Pull choke control out for acold 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.
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,
pullthe
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)
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 engine
to accept
small
changes
in speed
and
load, until the choke control is fully in. If the
engine startsto
run roughly, pullthechoke
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 bewarmed up asfollows:
or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank
or permanent
damage may occur.
14