Operation, Before starting the engine – Poulan 194604 User Manual
Page 14

14
OPERATION
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of fi ller neck. Do not overfi ll.
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 fl ame.
TOWING CARTS AND OTHER AT
TACH -
MENTS
Tow only the attachments that are recommended by and 
comply with specifi cations of the manufacturer of your trac-
tor. Use common sense when towing. Too heavy of a load, 
while on a slope, is dangerous. Tires can lose traction with 
the ground and cause you to lose control of your tractor.
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES 
BELOW32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE 
GAS O LINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER 
START ING.
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called 
gas o hol or using ethanol or methanol) can at-
tract 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 
sea son. See Storage In struc tions for additional 
information. Never use engine or carburetor 
cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent 
damage may occur.
TO TRANSPORT
• Raise attachment lift to highest position with at tach ment
lift control.
• When pushing or towing your tractor, be sure gearshift
lever is in neutral (N) position.
• Do not push or tow tractor at more than fi ve (5)
MPH.
NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transporting 
your tractor on a truck or a trailer, be sure hood is closed 
and secured to tractor. Use an appropriate means of tying 
hood to tractor (rope, cord, etc.).
• If slowing is necessary, move throttle control lever to
slower position.
• If stopping is absolutely necessary, push clutch/brake
pedal quickly to brake position and engage parking 
brake.
• Move gearshift lever to 1st gear and range shift lever
to low (L) position. Be sure you have allowed room for 
tractor to roll slightly as you restart movement.
• To restart movement, slowly release parking brake and
clutch/brake pedal.
• Make all turns slowly.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL
The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the 
factory, already fi lled with sum mer weight oil. 
• Check engine oil with tractor on level ground. 
• Remove oil fi ll 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 
“FULL” mark on dipstick is reached. Do not overfi ll.
• For cold weather operation you should change oil for
easier starting (See “OIL VISCOSITY CHART” in the 
Maintenance sec tion of this manual). 
• To change engine oil, see the Maintenance section in
this manual.
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 8)
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.
• Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake 
pedal and set parking brake.
• Place gear shift lever in neutral (N) position.
• Move attachment clutch to “DISENGAGED” position.
• Move throttle control to fast position
• Pull choke control out for a cold 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.
• 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 
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 control out and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50° F and above)
• 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)
• 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 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.
