Poulan 159759 - Manual (Page 15)

OPERATION
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 seconds to several minutes, depending
on the temperature.
HYDROSTATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP
• Before driving the unit in cold weather, the transmis­
sion should be warmed up as follows:
• Be sure the tractor is on level ground.
• Place the motion control lever in neutral.
Release the parking brake and let the clutch/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 be used during the engine warm­
up period after the transmission has been warmed up
and may require the choke control be pulled out slightly.
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
PURGE TRANSMISSION
A
CAUTION: Never engage or disengage
freewheel lever while the engine is run­
ning.
To ensure proper operation and performance, it is recom­
mended 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 devel­
oped during shipping of your tractor.
IMPORTANT: SHOULD YOUR TRANSMISSION REQUIRE
REMOVAL
FOR SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT, IT
SHOULD BE PURGED AFTER R EIN STALLATIO N
BEFORE OPERATING THE TRACTOR.
• Place tractor safely on level surface with engine off and
parking brake set.
• Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control
in freewheeling position (See “TO TRANSPORT’ in
this section of manual).
• Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. Afterthe engine
is running, move throttle control to slow (*A) position.
With motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly
disengage clutch/brake pedal.
• Move motion control lever to full forward position and
hold for five (5) seconds. Move lever to full reverse
position and hold for five (5) seconds. Repeat this
procedure three (3) times.
NOTE: During this procedure there wili be no movement of
drive wheels. The air is being removed from hydraulic drive
system.
• Move motion control leverto neutral (N) position. Shut­
off engine and set parking brake.
• Engage transmission by placing freewheel control in
driving position (See “TO TRANSPORT” in this section
of manual).
• Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. Afterthe engine
is running, move throttle control to half (1/2) speed.
With motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly
disengage clutch/brake pedal.
• Slowly move motion control lever forward, after the
tractor moves approximately five (5) feet, slowly move
motion control lever to reverse position. After the
tractor moves approximately five (5) feet return the
motion control lever to the neutral (N) position. Repeat
this procedure with the motion control lever three (3)
times.
• Your tractor is now purged and now ready for normal
operation.
MOWING TIPS
• Tire chains cannot be used when the mower housing is
attached to tractor.
• Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing
performance. See “TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING” in
the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.
• The left hand side of mower should be used for trim­
ming.
• Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area
that has been cut. Have the cut area to the right of the
tractor. This will result in a more even distribution of
clippings and more uniform cutting.
• When mowing large areas, start by turning to the right
so that clippings will discharge away from shrubs,
fences, driveways, etc. After one or two rounds, mow
in the opposite direction making left hand turns until
finished (See Fig. 10).
• If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to
reduce load and possible fire hazard from dried clip­
pings. Make first cut relatively high; the second to the
desired height.
• Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet grass wili plug
mower and leave undesirable clumps. Allow grass to
dry before mowing.
• Always operate engine at full throttle when mowing to
assure better mowing performance and proper dis­
charge of material. Regulate ground speed by select­
ing a low enough gear to give the mower cutting
performance as well as the quality of cut desired.
• When operating attachments, select a ground speed
that will suit the terrain and give best performance of
the attachment being used.