Poulan 96092001000 - Manuel (Page 10)

10
OPERATION
TILLING HINTS (See Fig. 15)
CAUTION: Until you are accustomed to
handling your tiller, start actual field use
with throttle in slow position (mid-way
between “FAST” and “IDLE”).
• Tilling is digging into, turning over, and breaking up
packed soil before planting. Loose, unpacked soil helps
root growth. Best tilling depth is 4" to 6" (10-15 cm).
A tiller will also clear the soil of unwanted vege ta tion.
The de com po si tion of this vegetable mat ter enriches
the soil. Depending on the climate (rain fall and wind),
it may be advisable to till the soil at the end of the
growing season to further condition the soil.
• You will find tilling much easier if you leave a row un-
tilled between passes. Then go back between tilled
rows. (See Fig. 14) There are two reasons for doing
this. First, wide turns are much easier to negotiate than
about-faces. Sec ond, the tiller won’t be pulling itself,
and you, toward the row next to it.
• Soil conditions are important for proper tilling. Tines will
not readily penetrate dry, hard soil which may con trib ute
to excessive bounce and difficult handling of your tiller.
Hard soil should be mois tened before tilling; however,
extremely wet soil will “ball-up” or clump during tilling.
Wait until the soil is less wet in order to achieve the
best results. When tilling in the fall, re move vines and
long grass to prevent them from wrapping around the
tine shaft and slowing your tilling operation.
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: Fill to within 1/2 inch of top
of fuel tank to prevent spills and to allow
for fuel expansion. If gasoline is ac-
ci den tal ly spilled, move machine away
from area of spill. Avoid creating any
source of ignition until gasoline vapors
have disappeared.
Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not
store, spill or use gasoline near an
open flame.
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES
BELOW32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE
GAS O LINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER
START ING.
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called
gas o hol or using ethanol or methanol) can at-
tract 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
sea son. See Storage In struc tions for additional
information. Never use engine or carburetor
cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
TO START ENGINE
CAUTION: Keep tine control in “OFF” po si tion
when starting engine.
When starting engine for the first time or if engine has
run out of fuel, it will take ex tra pulls of the recoil starter
to move fuel from the tank to the engine.
1. Make sure spark plug wire is prop er ly connected.
2. Place throttle control in “FAST” position.
3. Move choke control to full “CHOKE” po si tion. Grasp
recoil starter handle with one hand and grasp tiller
handle with other hand. Pull rope out slowly until
engine reaches start of com pres sion cy cle (rope will
pull slightly harder at this point).
4. Pull recoil starter handle quickly. Do not let starter
handle snap back against starter. Repeat if neces-
sary.
NOTE: If engine fires but does not start, move choke
control to half choke position. Pull recoil starter handle
en gine_
art_7
1
Choke
Con trol
Spark Plug
Recoil Starter
Throttle
Control
until engine starts.
5. When engine starts, slowly move choke control to
“RUN” position as engine warms up.
NOTE: A warm engine requires less chok ing to start.
6. Move throttle control to desired running position.
7. Allow engine to warm up for a few min utes before
engaging tines.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (3000 feet) or in cold tem-
per a tures (below 32°F), the car bu re tor fuel mix ture may
need to be ad just ed for best engine per for mance. See
“TO AD JUST CARBURETOR” in the Service and Ad just-
ments section of this manual.
NOTE: If engine does not start, see trou ble shoot ing