8
OPERATION
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
ADD OIL (See Fig. 12)
Your lawnmower is shipped without oil in the engine. For type
and grade of oil to use, see “EN GINE” in the Maintenance
section of this manual.
CAUTION: DO NOT overfi ll engine with
oil, or it will smoke heavily from the muf-
fl er on startup.
1. Be sure lawnmower is level.
2. Remove oil fi ll cap / dipstick from oil fi ll spout.
3. Engine holds 18.5 ounces of oil. Pour oil slowly. Do
not overfi ll. Wait one minute to allow oil to settle. Use
gauge on oil fi ll cap/dipstick for checking level. Insert
dipstick into the tube and rest the oil fi ll cap on the
tube. DO NOT thread the cap into the tube when tak-
ing reading.
4. Insert and tighten oil fi ll cap / dipstick.
IMPORTANT:
• Check oil level before each use. Add oil if needed. Fill
to full line on dipstick.
• Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation or each
season. You may need to change the oil more often
under dusty, dirty conditions. See “TO CHANGE EN-
GINE OIL” in the Maintenance section of this manual.
GASOLINE
FILLER CAP
OIL FILL CAP/
DIPSTICK
LOWER
MARK
UPPER
MARK
FIG. 12
SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER
WHEN CONVERTING YOUR LAWN MOWER
FOR MULCHING -
1. Rear mulcher plug installed.
2. Mulcher door closed.
FOR REAR BAGGING -
1. Rear mulcher plug removed.
2. Grass catcher installed.
3. Mulcher door closed.
FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -
1. Rear mulcher plug installed.
2. Discharge defl ector installed.
CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower
without mulcher plug or ap proved grass
catch er in place. Nev er at tempt to op er-
ate the lawn mow er with the rear door
re moved or propped open.
TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER
(See Figs. 10 and 11)
FIG. 11
FRONT
HANDLE
REAR
HANDLE
STRAP
FIG. 10
ROUND DOOR STARTER ROPE
OPEN
FRONT HANDLE
1. Open round door of discharge chute to move starter
rope out and away from grass catcher.
2. Remove grass catcher with clippings from lawn mower
using both front and rear handles.
3. Empty clippings from grass catcher using both rear
handle and strap. The weight of the grass will open
the door.
4. Snap door shut over frame before installing grass
catcher on mower.
NOTE: Do not drag the bag when emptying; it will cause
unnecessary wear.