Before Mowing CHECK THE MOWER
For your safety and the service life of your equipment, always inspect your mower
before using it. Before beginning your pre-operation check, be sure:
l
The mower is parked on a level surface.
l
The blade control lever is disengaged and the transmission shift lever is in
NEUTRAL.
l
The ignition switch is off and the key is removed.
Walk around the mower and check its general condition. Look around and
underneath it for signs of fluid leaks. Remove any excessive dirt and debris,
especially around moving components. Look for signs of damage. Check nuts,
bolts, screws, and pins for tightness.
Never operate the mower with the safety interlock system inoperative. Do not
attempt to bypass or defeat the system.
Keep all shields and covers in place while operating the mower. If you find any
problems or defects, have them repaired before mowing.
Blades
Before each use, check each mower blade for damage or abnormal wear. See
page 38 for details.
Belts
Check the blade, deck, and transmission belts for wear and correct tension. See
page 40 for details.
Engine Oil
Check the level on the dipstick. Running the engine with a low oil level will cause
engine damage. See page 29 for details.
Fuel
Remove the cap on the tank and check the fuel level. See page 28 for refueling
details.
Air Filter
Check that the air cleaner elements are clean and in good condition. See page 27
for information on servicing the air cleaner.
Cutting Height
The cutting height of your mower should be set for the mowing conditions and
should be in the same position, front and rear. See page 37 to adjust cutting
height.
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