BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
Read the engine manual packed with your mower.
FILL ENGINE WITH OIL
Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in the engine.
•Be sure mower is level and area around oil fill is clean.
•Remove engine oil filler plug (oil fill cap/ dipstick on models so equipped).
•Slowly add oil. For type and grade of oil to use, see “ENGINE” in the Mainte- nance section of this manual.
•Fill to the top of slot in filler hole (to “FULL” line on dipstick on models so equipped). Do not overfill.
•Replace plug (oil fill cap/dipstick on models so equipped) and tighten.
•Check oil level before each use. Add oil as needed.
•To change oil, see Maintenance section of this manual.
FILL GASOLINE TANK
•Fill gasoline tank with fresh, clean, un- leaded gasoline. DO NOT USE PRE-
MIUM GASOLINE. BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERFILL TANK.
WARNING: 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 fuel tank, start the engine and let it run until fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage Instructions for additional information. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.
TO START ENGINE
CAUTION: The mower blade rotates whenever the engine is running.
•Move engine speed control to FAST position (or to CHOKE/START position on models equipped with choke feature).
•If your mower has a primer, to start a cold engine, push primer as many times as instructed in the engine manual packed with your mower. Use a firm push. This step is not usually necessary when starting an engine which has already run for a few minutes.
•Hold operator presence control bar down against handle.
MODELS WITH RECOIL STARTER
•Pull starter handle quickly. Do not allow starter rope to snap back.
MODELS WITH ELECTRIC STARTER
•Push the engine start button (or turn the key on models so equipped).
IMPORTANT: Do not crank engine more than five continous seconds each time you try to start. Wait 5 to 10 seconds between each attempt.
ALL MODELS
•For engines equipped with choke, slowly move engine speed control lever to FAST after engine starts.
TO STOP ENGINE
•To STOP engine, release operator pres- ence control bar.
NOTE: For engines with a primer, it may be necessary to repeat priming steps
in cooler weather. In warmer weather, overpriming may cause flooding and engine will not start. If you do flood engine, wait a few minutes before attempting to start and DO NOT repeat priming steps.
FOR MULCHING MOWERS ONLY | MULCHER PLUG BUILT INTO REAR DOOR |
Most mulching mowers are shipped ready to be used as a mulcher.
“REAR DISCHARGE ONLY” MOWERS
Some models have a seperate mulcher plug, other models have the mulcher plug built into the rear door. To convert to bag- ging or discharging, the plate or plug (if so equipped) must be removed from the discharge opening of the lawn mower.
• Open rear door and remove mulcher plate or plug (if so equipped). Store mulcher plate or plug in a safe place.
•You can now install grass catcher or optional clipping deflector accessory.
•To return to mulching operation, install mulcher plate or plug into discharge opening of mower.
CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower without mulcher plate/plug in place or ap- proved clipping deflector or grass catcher in place. Never attempt to operate the lawn mower with the rear door removed or propped open.
| “SIDE DISCHARGE ONLY” MOWERS | ||
MULCHER "PLATE" | MULCHER PLATE TYPE | ||
To convert to bagging or discharging, | |||
| |||
| mulcher plate must be removed from un- | ||
| derside of lawn mower. | ||
| • Remove the four (4) screws and lock nuts | ||
|
| securing the mulcher plate to the mower. | |
| • | Store mulcher plate and hardware in a | |
|
| safe place. | |
| • | Mower can now be used for side | |
|
| discharging or optional grass catcher | |
|
| accessory can be attached. | |
| • To return to mulching operation, simply | ||
Slots |
| reinstall mulcher plate and tighten hard- | |
| ware securely. | ||
Mulcher | Screw and | |
lock nut | ||
plate tabs | ||
| ||
MULCHER "PLUG" |
|
Operator presence control bar
Recoil starter handle
12
| Mulcher plate |
Mulcher plug | 9 |