SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER
Gas and Oil Fill-Up
WARNING: Never fill fuel tank indoors, or when engine is running or hot. Do not smoke when filling up the fuel tank.
•Service the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your mower. Read the instructions carefully.
Before Starting Mower
•Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain the metal cap on the end of the spark plug wire is fastened securely over the metal tip on the spark plug.
Starting Engine
WARNING: Be sure no one other than the operator is standing near the lawn mower while starting engine or operating mower.
WARNING: Never run engine indoors or in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.
WARNING: Keep hands, feet, hair and loose clothing away from any moving parts on engine and lawn mower.
•Push the primer three times. Wait two seconds between each push. In temperatures below 55° F, prime five times. Do not prime to restart a warm engine after a short shutdown.
•Standing behind the mower, depress the blade control handle and hold it against the upper handle.
•Grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly until engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this point). Let the rope rewind slowly. Pull rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. Keeping a firm grip on the starter handle, let the rope rewind slowly.
•Once the engine has started, squeeze the lower bail handle and the blade control handle against the upper handle to run the mower.
Stopping Engine
•Release blade control handle to stop the engine and the blade.
•Disconnect spark plug wire and move away from spark plug to prevent accidental starting.
Using Your Lawn Mower
•Do not operate the mower without the mulching cover, the grass catcher bag, or the discharge chute properly installed.
•Be sure that the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or other objects which could damage lawn mower or engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator and others.
•For best results, do not cut wet grass because it tends to stick to the underside of the mower, preventing proper discharge of grass clippings, poor mulching conditions, and could cause you to slip and fall. New grass, thick grass, or wet grass may require a narrower cut.
•For a healthy lawn, always cut off
WARNING: If you strike a foreign object, stop the engine. Remove spark plug wire from spark plug, thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the damage before restarting and operating the mower. Extensive vibration of the mower during operation is an indication of damage. The unit should be promptly inspected and repaired.
Adjusting Cutting Height
Refer to page 14 for instruction on how to adjust the handle height and the cutting height.
•For best results in mowing, keep the cutting height position high until you have determined which cutting height is preferred.
Bagging Grass Clippings
You can use the grass catcher bag to collect clippings while you are operating the mower.
•Attach the grass catcher following instructions on page 8 of this manual. The grass clippings will automatically collect in the bag as you run the mower.
•Operate the mower till the grass bag is full.
•Stop the engine completely by releasing the control handle.
•Make sure that the unit has come to a complete stop.
•Lift discharge door and pull grass bag up and away from the mower to dispose of the grass clippings.
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