Poulan 96042012500 User Manual

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. 3)

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.

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.

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.

BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE

CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL

The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the fac-

tory, already filled with sum mer weight oil.
• Check engine oil with tractor on level ground.
•

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

“FULL” mark on dipstick is reached. Do not overfill.

• 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.

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 servicing. 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 ignition key is in

any position but "STOP". For accurate reading, be sure key

remains in the "STOP" position when engine is not running.