7
4. Pull back on the blade control lever and hold it against the
handlebar.
5. Pull the starter grip lightly
until you feel resistance,
then pull briskly. Return
the starter grip gently.
Keep your hands and feet
away from the mower deck
at all time when starting
and running the engine.
Continue to hold the blade
control lever against the
handlebar; the engine
stops when the blade
control lever is released.
6. PDA, SDA: If the CHOKE
position was used during
starting, move the throttle
lever away from the
CHOKE position as soon as the engine warms up enough to run
smoothly without using the choke. Set the throttle lever at FAST to
mow or at SLOW to idle.
OPERATING THE CONTROLS FOR MOWING

Throttle Lever

PDA, SDA: For best cut quality,
always mow with the throttle
lever in the FAST position. When
the blade(s) rotate at the preset
fast speed, it creates a strong fan
action that lifts and cuts grass
more efficiently.
Do not try to increase the preset
engine speed; the blade(s) could
fracture and come apart.
VKA: This model has an automatic throttle that always runs at FULL
throttle setting.

Blade Control Lever

The lever must be pulled back
against the handlebar to start
and run the engine. The blade(s)
start to rotate when the lever is
pulled back against the
handlebar and the recoil starter
grip is pulled.
Continue to hold the lever
against the handlebar to keep
the engine running and the
blade(s) rotating.
Release the lever to stop the
engine and blade rotation whenever you need to leave the mower.

Clutch Lever

(SDA)

Push the clutch lever forward and hold
it against the handlebar to propel the
mower forward.
Release the clutch lever to stop the
mower’s forward movement.
Always release the clutch lever before
starting the engine. If the clutch is
engaged, the mower will move
forward when you operate the starter.
Operate the clutch lever with a quick
and complete motion, so the clutch is
either fully engaged or fully released. Hold the clutch lever against the
handlebar during self-propelled mowing. This will help to extend the
service life of the clutch mechanism.

Smart Drive Control

(VKA)

The Smart Drive control
can be adjusted up or down
into any one of five
positions (page 6).
With the engine running
and the blades rotating,
slowly push the Smart
Drive control to propel the
mower forward.
Ground speed will increase
as more pressure is applied to the Smart Drive control. After
maximum ground speed is obtained, applying additional pressure will
not further increase ground speed. Apply only enough pressure to
achieve the desired speed.
Ground speed control sensitivity will vary with such factors as terrain,
grass height, slope, and grass bag weight. For example, achieving a
very slow ground speed on smooth level terrain requires very light
pressure be applied to the Smart Drive control. However, additional
pressure may be required to achieve the same ground speed on
slopes, in tall grass, or uneven terrain. The Smart Drive control is
designed to allow you to move the control to maintain the desired
ground speed under constantly changing mowing conditions.
Release the Smart Drive control to disengage (stop) the rear wheels.
(SDA)(VKA)
BLADE CONTROL LEVER
STARTER
GRIP
FAST
THROTTLE LEVER
BLADE CONTROL LEVER
CLUTCH LEVER (SDA)
CONTROL
™
SMART DRIVE CONTROL