Operation
Pre-Start
Fill fuel tank on level ground. For best results use only clean, fresh regular grade unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher.
Important: Never use methanol, gasoline containing methanol, gasohol containing more than 10% ethanol, premium gasoline, or white gas because the fuel system could be damaged.
Do Not add oil to gasoline.
Do Not overfill fuel tank. Fill the fuel tank to the bottom of the filler neck. The empty space in the tank allows gasoline to expand. Overfilling may result in fuel leakage or damage to the engine or emission system.
Make sure you understand the controls, their locations, their functions, and their safety requirements.
Refer to the Maintenance section and perform all the necessary inspection and maintenance steps.
Operating Instructions
Open the Fuel Shut-Off Valve
Rotate the valve 1/4 turn counterclockwise to turn fuel on.
Starting the Engine
Note: Always engage the left and right neutral lock/park brake latches in the “park brake” position when starting the engine
1.On a cold engine, place the throttle midway between the “Slow” and “Fast” positions and place the choke in the “On” position. On a warm engine, place the throttle lever midway between “Slow” and “Fast” positions and leave the choke in the “Off ” position.
2.Turn ignition switch to “Run” position. Pull the recoil rope to start engine.
3.On a cold engine, gradually return choke to the “Off ” position after engine starts and warms up.
Note: Kawasaki engines generally need to be “choked” even when warm.
PTO Engagement
DANGER
The rotating blades under the mower deck are dangerous. Blade contact can cause serious injury or kill you.
Do Not put hands or feet under the mower or mower deck when the blades are engaged.
DANGER
An uncovered discharge opening will allow objects to be thrown in an operator’s or bystander’s direction. Also, contact with the blade could occur. Thrown objects or blade contact can cause serious injury or death.
Never operate the mower with the discharge deflector raised, removed, or altered unless there is a grass collection system or mulch kit in place and working properly.
The PTO switch engages the cutting blades. Be sure that all persons are clear of mower deck and discharge area before engaging the PTO.
1.Set throttle to “MIDWAY” position.
2.Push the PTO lever forward to engage blades.
3.Place the throttle in the “FAST” position to begin mowing.
Disengaging the PTO
1.Set throttle to “MIDWAY” position.
2.Pull the blade engagement lever to the full rearward position to disengage the blades
Stopping the Engine
1.Bring the unit to a full stop.
2.Lock drive levers in “park brake” position.
3.Disengage the PTO.
4.Move transmission shift lever to “neutral”.
5.Place the throttle midway between the “SLOW” and “FAST” positions.
6.Allow the engine to run for a minimum of 15 seconds, then turn the ignition switch to the “OFF” position to stop the engine.
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