Fill Fuel Tank

Assembly Instructions

PREOPERATING CHECKLIST

Before operating the mower for the first time, and as a routine before daily operations, it is important to make sure the mower is properly prepared and ready for operation. The following is a list of items to be checked. (For a mower with frequent opera- tion, some of these items will not need to be checked every day, but the operator should be aware of the condition of each.)

For proper fuel and lubricants refer to Specifications.

Fill the fuel tank using clean, fresh automotive grade unleaded gasoline (87 octane rating minimum).

DANGER

Handle gasoline with care. Gasoline is highly flammable and its vapors are explo- sive. Use safe refueling procedures:

•DO NOT fill fuel tank with the engine run- ning.

•If the engine is hot, allow to cool before refueling.

•Use an approved fuel container.

•Fuel the mower outdoors.

•DO NOT smoke while refueling.

•Avoid spilling fuel; use a funnel or spout.

•DO NOT overfill the fuel tank; fill up to about 1 in. (25 mm) below the top of tank.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT permit dirt or other foreign matter to enter the fuel tank. Wipe dirt from around the filler cap before removing. Use a clean fuel stor- age container and funnel.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT mix oil with gasoline. Al- ways use fresh, automotive grade unleaded gaso- line. DO NOT use premium, white, or high-test gas- oline. DO NOT use additives, such as carburetor cleaners, deicers, or moisture removing agents. DO NOT use gasoline blended with methyl alcohol.

CHECK ENGINE CRANKCASE OIL LEVEL

Check the engine crankcase oil level before use and after each 8 hours of continuous operation. Refer to LUBRICATION for Checking Engine Crankcase Oil Level in Maintenance Instructions.

CHECK AND SERVICE ENGINE AIR CLEAN- ER SYSTEM

•Check air filter restriction gauge to make sure the yellow indicator disk is in the safe operating (green) range.

•Check condition, cleanliness, and security of the complete air cleaner system (inspect paper ele- ment every 100 hours). For detailed proce- dures, refer to CLEANING the Engine Air Cleaner System in Maintenance Instructions.

CHECK ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM

Check that the engine cooling air intake screen is free of obstruction by grass clippings or debris and clean if required. Also, cylinder head cooling fins should be inspected and cleaned if any build-up of debris is noted [remove two (2) cylinder head ac- cess panels to inspect and clean]. Refer to CLEAN- ING the Cylinder Head Cooling Fins in the Mainte- nance Instructions for this procedure.

CHECK GEAR AXLE OIL LEVEL

Refer to LUBRICATION for Gear Axle Lubrication

in Maintenance Instructions.

INSPECT FOUR (4) DRIVE BELTS

Engine PTO Drive, Jackshaft Drive, Hydrostatic Ground Drive, and GHS Blower Drive.

CHECK HYDROSTATIC TRANSMISSION OIL LEVEL

Refer to LUBRICATION for Checking Hydrostatic Transmission Fluid Level in Maintenance Instruc- tions.