BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL
The engine in your tractor has been shipped
from the factory already filled with summer
weight oil.
1. Check engine oil with tractor on level
ground.
2. 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 the oil
viscosity chart in the Maintenance section
of this manual).
• To change engine oil, see the Maintenance
section in this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do
not overfill.
Use fresh, clean, regular
gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane.
Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase
fuel in quantities that can be used within
30 days to ensure 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 tempera-
tures below 32°F (0°C), use fresh, clean
winter grade gasoline to help ensure good
cold weather starting.
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called
gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can
attract moisture which leads to separation
and formation 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
storage 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 Instruc-
tions for additional information. Never use
engine or carburetor cleaner products in the
fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.
Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable alternative in
minimizing the formation of fuel gum deposits
during storage. Add stabilizer to gasoline in
fuel tank or storage container. Always follow
the mix ratio found on stabilizer container.
Run engine at least 10 minutes after adding
stabilizer to allow the stabilizer to reach the
carburetor. Do not empty the gas tank and
carburetor if using fuel stabilizer.
RESERVE FUEL VALVE OPERATION
1. Raise seat to access reserve fuel valve.
2. In normal operation, valve should be set
to primary (as shown in view)
3. If tractor runs out of fuel, rotate valve
handle to reserve.
4. Drive tractor to be refueled.
5. After refueling, return valve to primary
position.
TO START ENGINE
The Briggs & Stratton Endurance engine
equipped with your tractor features a Ready-
Start automatic choke system to provide
simplified starting in normal conditions.
Please read the following starting instruc-
tion carefully.
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.
1. Ensure freewheel control is in the trans-
mission engaged position.
2. Sit on seat in operating position, depress
brake pedal, and set parking brake.
3. Place motion control lever in neutral
position.
4. Move attachment clutch control to
"DISENGAGED" position.
NORMAL STARTING (32°F/0°C AND
ABOVE)
5. Move throttle control to fast position
(
) and click into place.
6. Insert key into ignition and turn key
clockwise ( ) to "START" position and
release key as soon as engine starts.
7. When engine starts, the attachments
and ground drive can now be used. If
the engine does not accept the load and
shuts off, restart the engine and allow it
to warm up for one minute.
8. Leave throttle control in fast position
(
) while mowing.
14
Reserve
Fuel Valve
Reserve
Primary