squeezed and its neutral latch lever pushed forward and engaged in the neutral lock position, the steering/brake lever is held in a position where the idler pulley is not applying pressure to the traction drive belt and the brake is not engaged.
neutral lock position
Figure 3
IMPORTANT: The neutral latch levers must be engaged in the neutral lock position before starting the engine. They should not be loose so that they will stay in the unlocked position unless moved.
Operator Presence Levers:
Located above the outer ends of the right and left handles, at least one of these operator presence levers must be held down on the handles against spring pressure in order to shift the transmission shift lever into gear or engage the blade clutch. Releasing the operator presence levers with either the transmission shift lever in gear or the blade clutch engaged will shut off the engine.
IMPORTANT: One or both operator presence levers must be depressed when in gear or mowing.
Fuel Shutoff Valve:
Located on top of the fuel tank is the fuel shutoff valve. The handle turns 90 degrees. When the handle is in a horizontal position, it will shut off the flow of fuel to the engine. When it is turned to a vertical position, it will open and allow fuel to flow to the engine. Anytime the mower is being trailered or, if the mower will not be in use for 30 minutes or more, close the fuel shutoff valve to prevent flooding the engine.
Fuel Shutoff
Valve
Figure 4
Transmission Shift Lever:
Located under the control panel. The lever has seven positions moving from the left to the right: Reverse Gear, Neutral, First Gear, Second Gear, Third Gear, Fourth Gear and Fifth Gear. The lever
must be in the Neutral position in order to start the engine. Never attempt to mow in Fifth Gear. Fifth Gear should be used for transport only.
Transmission
Shift Lever
Figure 5
IMPORTANT: DO NOT shift the transmission from one forward gear to another while unit is moving. Stop forward travel, shift gear, then resume movement.
GAS AND OIL FILL-UP
Oil
IMPORTANT: The mower is shipped with motor oil in the engine; however, you MUST check the oil level before operating. Oil should be changed once after the first five hours of operation and every 40 hours of operation thereafter. Use the grade of engine oil specified in the Maintenance section.
•Remove oil fill dipstick from the oil fill tube.
•Check that the level of oil is up to the FULL mark on the dipstick. If needed, pour oil slowly into the oil fill tube until a FULL oil level is achieved.
•Replace oil fill dipstick and tighten.
Gasoline
•Remove fuel cap from the fuel tank.
•Make sure the container from which you will pour the gasoline is clean and free from rust or foreign particles. Never use gasoline that may be stale from long periods of storage in its container. Gasoline that has been sitting for any period longer than four weeks should be considered stale.
•Fill fuel tank with clean, fresh, unleaded regular gasoline (87 ROM) only no more than one inch below bottom of filler neck to provide space for fuel expansion. Replace fuel cap.
•To avoid engine problems, the fuel system should be emptied before storage for 30 days or longer. Drain the fuel by shutting off the fuel valve and running the engine until it stops. Use fresh fuel next season. See STORAGE section for additional information.
DANGER: Never refuel or drain the fuel system indoors, or operate or store near an open flame, spark, or ignition source.
•Check the fuel level periodically to avoid running out of gasoline while operating the mower.
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