3.Position the red rubber boot over the positive battery terminal to help protect it from corrosion.

NOTE: If the battery is put into service after the date shown on top/side of battery, charge the battery as instructed in the Maintenance & Adjustments section your Operator’s Manual prior to operating the tractor.

Gasoline Fill-up

WARNING! Use extreme care when handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never fuel machine indoors or while the engine is hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition.

NOTE: Purchase gasoline in small quantities. Do not use gasoline left over from the previous season, to minimize gum deposits in the fuel system.

•This engine is certified to operate on unleaded gasoline. For best results, fill the fuel tank with only clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline with a pump sticker octane rating of 87 or higher. In countries using the Research method, it should be 90 octane minimum.

•Unleaded gasoline is recommended because it leaves less combustion chamber deposits and reduces harmful exhaust emissions. Leaded gasoline is not recommended and must not be used where exhaust emissions are regulated.

•Gasohol (up to 10% ethyl alcohol, 90% unleaded gasoline by volume) is an approved fuel. Other gasoline/alcohol blends are not approved.

•Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) and unleaded gasoline blends (up to a maximum of 15% MTBE by volume) are approved fuels. Other gasoline/ether blends are not approved.

The gasoline tank is under the rear fender, with the fuel fill cap located in the center of the rear fender. The fuel cap is tethered to the tractor to prevent its loss. Do not attempt to remove the cap from the tractor.

NOTE: Your tractor is shipped with motor oil in the engine. However, you MUST check the oil level before operating. Refer to the Kohler Engine Owner’s Manual provided with your tractor for instructions on checking the oil level.

Tire Pressure

WARNING! Maximum tire pressure under any circumstances is 25 psi. Equal tire pressure should be maintained at all times.

The tires on your tractor may be over-inflated for shipping purposes. Reduce the tire pressure before operating the tractor. Recommended operating tire pressure is approximately 10 p.s.i for the rear tires & 14 p.s.i. for the front tires. Check the sidewall of the tire for maximum p.s.i.

Shipping Brace Removal

WARNING! Make sure the riding mower’s engine is off, remove the ignition key, and set the parking brake before removing the shipping brace.

WARNING! The shipping brace, used for packaging purposes only, must be removed and discarded before operating your riding mower.

WARNING! The mowing deck is capable of throwing objects. Never operate the mower deck without the chute deflector in its down position. Failure to do so could result in serious personal injury and/or property damage.

Locate the shipping brace and tag, if present, between the chute deflector and the cutting deck. Holding the chute deflector fully upward, remove the shipping brace by grasping it and rotating it. Lower the chute deflector. Refer to Figure 3-3.

Shipping Brace

Shipping Tag

Figure 3-3

10Section 3— Assembly & Set-Up