Poulan Pro PP17538HP LAWN TRACTOR - Manual (Page 14)

14
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do not overfill.
Use fresh, clean, regular un lead ed 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 ti ties that can be used within 30 days to assure
fuel freshness.
CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
near an open flame.
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES BELOW
32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE GAS O LINE
TO HELP ENSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER START ING.
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or
using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which
leads to sep a ra 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.
OPERATION
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 5)
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 en gaged
position.
• Sit on seat in operating position, depress brake pedal
and set parking brake.
• Move attachment clutch to “DISENGAGED” position.
• Move throttle control to choke position.
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
sec onds 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)
• 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.
PURGE TRANSMISSION
CAUTION: Never engage or disengage
freewheel lever while the engine is run ning.
To ensure proper operation and performance, it is rec om -
mend ed that the transmission be purged before operating
tractor for the first time. This procedure will remove any
trapped air inside the transmission which may have de-
vel oped during shipping of your tractor.
IMPORTANT: SHOULD YOUR TRANSMISSION RE QUIRE
REMOVAL FOR SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT, IT SHOULD
BE PURGED AFTER REINSTALLATION BEFORE OPERATING
THE TRACTOR.
1. Place tractor safely on a level surface - that is clear
and open - with engine off and parking brake set.
2. Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control
in freewheeling position (See “TO TRANSPORT” in
this section of manual).
3. Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the en-
gine is running, move throttle control to slow position.
Dis en gage parking brake
CAUTION: At any time, there may be
movement of the drive wheels.
4. Depress forward drive pedal to full forward position,
hold for five (5) seconds and release pedal. Depress
reverse drive pedal to full reverse position, hold for five
(5) seconds and release pedal. Repeat this procedure
three (3) times.
COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50° F/10° C and below)
• When engine starts, allow engine to run with the
throttle control in the choke position until the engine
runs roughly, then move throttle control to fast posi-
tion. This may require an engine warm-up period from
several seconds to several minutes, depending on the
tem per a ture.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
• Before driving the unit in cold weather, the trans mis sion
should be warmed up as follows:
• Be sure the tractor is on level ground.
• Release the parking brake and let the 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 also be used during 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.