Briggs & Stratton MB (18 HP) Operating Instructions, Engine Choke, Engine Throttle, PTO Switch

Operating Instructions

Engine Choke

The choke control lever (black knob) is located on the left side of the seat. To start a cold engine, move the choke control forward to the ON position. After engine starts, move choke control toward the OFF position, keeping enough choke to allow the engine to run smoothly as it warms up. As soon as possible, move the choke to the OFF position. A warm engine requires little or no choke for starting.

IMPORTANT: Make sure the choke is in the OFF position during normal engine operation; running with the choke in the ON position CAN damage the engine.

Engine Throttle

The throttle control lever (red knob) is located on the left side of the seat and is used to control engine speed. Moving the lever forward toward the FAST position increases engine speed; moving it back- ward toward the IDLE position decreases engine speed.

ThrottleChoke

Choke and Throttle Location

Forward Speed Control (FSC)

Forward Speed Control (FSC) has two functions: One is to set forward travel speed, and the other is to establish the NEUTRAL-PARKposition. When the FSC lever is moved into the FORWARD position, a friction lock holds any forward speed setting from 0 to 7 mph (0 to 11.3 km/h). The ground speed is pro- portional to the lever position; the further the lever is advanced forward, the faster the tractor moves. It is not necessary to hold the FSC in position since the friction lock maintains the selected lever position. Pulling back on the steering levers overrides the FSC setting and slows or stops forward travel. Releasing the steering levers allows the tractor to resume forward travel at the speed set by the FSC lever. To stop and park the machine, the FSC lever is moved backward to the NEUTRAL-PARKposition.

Steering Levers

Each drive wheel is controlled by its own indepen- dent steering lever, for both steering function and FORWARD/REVERSE motion. The FSC lever sets the maximum forward speed, and also sets the for- ward position of the steering levers. The steering levers operate only with a backward pulling move- ment of the lever, which causes the drive wheel for that lever to first slow down, stop, and then reverse with a full backward lever stroke. The levers are released to the FORWARD position for “straight- ahead” ground travel.

NOTE: Pushing forward on the steering levers will not cause any change in tractor motion - there will be no steering lever reaction and there will be no machine damage.

PTO Switch

The PTO toggle switch is located on the RH front of the body and has two positions: ON (ENGAGE) and OFF (DISENGAGE) - positioning switch "ON" acti- vates the electromagnetic blade drive clutch while the blade brake is applied when the switch is moved to "OFF".

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