Cub Cadet 5254 Series - Manual (Page 15)

15
WARNING: Gasoline is extremely
flammable and can be explosive in
certain conditions. Do not fill the fuel
tank when the engine is running or
while the engine is hot. Tighten the
fuel cap securely.
The fuel fill cap is located on the fender to the left of
the seat. Unscrew the fuel cap and fill tank from an
approved gasoline container. Immediately wipe up
any spilled fuel.
WARNING: Never fill the fuel tank to
the top of the filler neck. Expansion
could result in overflow through the
vents in the cap, allowing highly
flammable fuel to come in contact with
the operator.
NEW TRACTOR BREAK-IN PROCEDURES
Proper care during the first hours of operation will
help to assure optimal performance from your new
tractor.
• Never operate a new engine immediately under
full load. Allow the engine to warm up.
• Avoid operating the engine for prolonged periods
at either high or low speed with no load.
• Use the transmission’s low speed range for
heavy loads to avoid lugging, or stalling, of the
engine due to overload.
• Closely monitor the engine oil and keep filled to
the recommended level.
• After the first ten hours of operation, check the
front and rear wheel lug nuts. If necessary, re-
torque the lug nuts to 60-70 ft. lbs.
• Perform all break-in maintenance procedures
found in the MAINTENANCE section.
STARTING THE ENGINE
WARNING: Always sit in the operator’s
seat when starting the tractor, Never
attempt to start the engine while
standing beside the tractor.
• Operator must be sitting in the tractor seat.
• Pull the choke control knob out to the full choke
position. Less choking may be necessary due
to variations in temperature, grade of fuel, etc.
Little or no choking will be needed when the
engine is warm.
• Move the throttle handle to midway between
the “SLOW” and “FAST” position. Refer to
Figure 14.
• Make sure the PTO switch is in the “OFF”
position. NOTE: The PTO light on instrument
panel will flash if switch is in ON position.
Figure 14
• Either fully depress and hold the brake pedal or
engage the parking brake. NOTE: The parking
brake indicator on instrument panel will flash if
pedal is not depressed.
• Turn the ignition key clockwise to the “START”
position and release it as soon as the engine
starts; however, do not crank the engine
continuously for more than 10 seconds at a
time. If the engine does not start within this
time, turn the key to “OFF” and wait a minute to
allow the engine’s starter motor to cool. Try
again after waiting. If after a few attempts the
engine fails to start, do not keep trying to start it
with the choke closed as this will cause flooding
and make starting more difficult. Instead, fully
open the choke and start the engine.
WARNING: If the starter disengages the
engine flywheel, but the engine does
not continue to run, allow the engine to
come to a complete stop before
attempting to restart the engine. Dam-
age to the starter may result from
failure to do so.
• After the engine starts, slowly release the brake
pedal. As the engine warms up, gradually push
the choke control knob all the way in. Do not
use the choke to enrich the fuel mixture, except
as necessary to start the engine.
• After the engine has started, let the engine run
for approximately three to five minutes at mid
throttle before putting the engine under load.
• Observe the instrument panel. If the battery
indicator light, oil pressure light, or coolant
temperature light comes on, immediately stop
the engine. Have the tractor inspected by your
Cub Cadet dealer.
THROTTLE
PTO SWITCH
IN ‘OFF’
POSITION
SLOW
FAST
HANDLE