Yard Machines 690 Thru 699 Operating Your Lawn Tractor, Gas And Oil Fill-Up, Starting Engine

SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR

WARNING: Go up and down slopes, not across. Avoid sudden turns. Do not operate the unit where it could slip or tip over. If the tractor stops while going uphill, stop the blade(s) and reverse down the hill slowly.

Do not mow when children or others are around. Never carry children. Look down and behind the tractor before and while backing. Keep the pathway of the tractor free of obstructions.

Keep safety devices like guards, shields and switches in place and fully functional.

Make sure that the blade(s) and the engine have stopped completely before you put hands or feet near the blade(s).

Gas And Oil Fill-Up

•Check the oil level and add if necessary. Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your tractor. Read instructions carefully.

IMPORTANT: Your tractor is shipped with oil; however you must check the oil level always before operating. Be careful not to overfill.

Starting Engine

IMPORTANT: This unit is equipped with a safety interlock system for your protection. The purpose of the safety interlock system is to prevent the engine from cranking or starting unless the clutch-brake pedal is depressed and the lift lever is in the BLADES STOP position. In addition, the lift lever must be in the BLADES STOP position when the unit is put into reverse or the engine will shut off. If the operator leaves the seat with the lift lever engaged and/or without setting the parking brake, the engine will shut off.

WARNING: Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning because it is a safety device, designed for protection.

•Place the lift lever in the BLADES STOP position.

•Depress clutch-brake pedal and set parking brake.

•Place the hydrostatic control lever in the NEUTRAL

(N) position.

•Set the throttle control in the FAST position.

•Pull out the choke control (a warm engine may not require choking).

•Turn the ignition key to the right to the START position. After the engine starts, release the key. It will return to the ON position.

NOTE: Protect the starter’s life by using short starting cycles of several seconds. Cranking more than 15 seconds per minute can damage the starter motor.

•Push choke knob gradually. Move the throttle control to desired engine speed.

Stopping Engine

•Turn the ignition key to the left to the OFF position. Remove the key to prevent accidental starting.

IMPORTANT:If you strike a foreign object, stop the engine. Remove wire from spark plug, thoroughly inspect the unit for any damage, and repair the damage before restarting and operating the mower.

WARNING: Before leaving the operator’s position, disengage blade(s), place shift lever in neutral, engage brake lock, shut off engine and remove key.

Operating Lawn Tractor

•Move throttle control to full throttle to prevent strain on the engine and to operate the cutting blades.

•Depress the clutch-brake pedal while pushing down on the parking brake knob so the parking brake is released, and then release the clutch- brake pedal.

•Place the hydrostatic control lever in either the FORWARD or the REVERSE position. The farther forward you move the lever, the faster you will travel. Look to the rear before reversing.

•To stop the lawn tractor, pull the hydrostatic control lever into NEUTRAL (N) or depress the clutch- brake pedal.

•Be sure that the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or other objects which could damage lawn tractor or engine. For best results and to insure more even grass distribution, do not mow when the lawn is excessively wet.

•Before leaving the operator’s position for any reason, disengage the blades, place the hydrostatic control lever in neutral, engage the parking brake, shut engine off and remove the key.

•Follow the same procedure when stopping the unit to empty a grass bag. This procedure will also eliminate ‘‘browning’’ of the grass, which is caused by exposure to hot exhaust gases from engine.

13