• For cold weather operation
you should
change oil for easier starting (See oil
viscosity chart
in the Maintenance
section of this manual).
• To change engine oil, see the Mainte-
nance section in this manual.
Oil Fill _
_o_,
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank.
Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded
gasoline.
(Use of leaded
gasoline
will increase
carbon and lead
oxide deposits and reduce valve life.)
IMPORTANT:
When operating
in tem-
peratures
below 32°F(0°C),
use fresh,
clean, winter grade gasoline to help
insure good cold weather starting.
_I:_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 section of this manual for
additional information.
Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur.
_I_CAUTION:
Fill to within 1/2 inch of top
of fuel tank to prevent spills and to allow
for fuel expansion.
If gasoline is acciden-
tally spilled, move machine away from
area of spill. Avoid creating any source of
ignition until gasoline vapors have
disappeared.
Do not overfill. Wipe off any spilled oil or
fuel.
Do not store, spill or use gasoline
near an open flame.
TO START
ENGINE
A, CAUTION:
Keep tine control in "OFF"
position when starting engine.
When starting engine for the first time or if
engine has run out of fuel, it will take
extra pulls of the recoil starter to move
fuel from the tank to the engine.
1. Make sure spark plug wire is properly
connected.
2. Move shift lever indicator to "N"
(neutral)
position.
3. Place throttle control in "FAST"
position.
4. Turn fuel shut-off valve 1/4 turn to
open position.
5. Push stop switch to "ON" position.
6. Move choke control to "CHOKE"
position.
7. Grasp recoil starter handle with one
hand and grasp tiller handle with
other hand. Pull rope out slowly until
engine reaches start of compression
cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at
this point).
8. Pull recoil starter handle quickly.
Do
not let starter handle snap back
against starter.
NOTE: If engine fires but does not start,
move choke control to half choke position.
Pull recoil starter handle until engine
starts.
9. When engine starts, slowly move
choke control to "RUN" position as
engine warms
up.
NOTE:
A warm engine requires less
choking to start.
10. Move throttle control to desired
running
position.
11 .Allow engine to warm up for a few
minutes before engaging
tines.
NOTE:
If at a high altitude (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.
NOTE:
If engine does not start, see
troubleshooting
points.
Fuel shut-off
Choke controls
11
Rewind starter
_