SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER

WARNING: Read, understand, and follow all instructions and warnings on the machine and in this manual before operating.

NOTE: For shipping purposes your mower is set with the wheels in a low cutting height position. For best results, raise the cutting position until it is determined which height is best for your lawn. See the Adjustment Section for details.

Gas & Oil Fill-Up

•Check oil level and add oil if necessary. Follow relevant instructions in the engine manual for this.

•Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in the engine manual.

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

Before Starting Mower

•Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain the metal cap on the end of the spark plug wire (inside the rubber boot) is fastened securely over the metal tip on the spark plug.

•Check for proper drive clutch operation using the neutral adjustment test described below.

WARNING: Be sure no one other than the operator is standing near the lawn mower while starting engine or operating mower.

WARNING: Never run engine indoors or in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.

WARNING: Keep hands, feet, hair and loose clothing away from any moving parts on engine and lawn mower.

WARNING: When starting the unit for the first time, face the mower against a wall or a fence. Start the unit and if it shows any signs of motion while the drive clutch control is still disengaged, shut engine off immediately.

•Recoil Start: Grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly until engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this point). Let the rope rewind slowly. Pull rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. Keeping a firm grip on the starter handle, let the rope rewind slowly.

Stopping Engine

•Release blade control handle to stop the engine and the blade.

•Disconnect spark plug wire and move away from spark plug to prevent accidental starting.

Neutral Adjustment Test

To perform the neutral adjustment test, answer the following questions.

•With the drive clutch control released, push mower forward and pull it backward. Does it move freely?

•Squeeze the drive clutch control and pull the mower backward. Do the rear wheels lock?

•Is the drive clutch control cable free of kinks or sharp bends?

•If you answered “yes” to all three questions, your mower passed the test and you can start your mower.

•If you answered “no” to any of the three questions, you will have to adjust the drive clutch control as instructed in the ADJUSTMENT SECTION.

Starting Engine

•Push primer once. Do not prime to restart a warm engine after a short shutdown.

•Standing behind the mower, depress the blade control handle and hold it against the upper handle.

Using Your Lawn Mower

WARNING: Never operate the mower unless the hooks on the grasscatcher are seated in the slots on the handle bracket assemblies, and the rear discharge door rests firmly against the top of the grasscatcher.

•Do not operate the mower without any one of the mulching baffle, discharge chute or grass catcher properly installed.

WARNING: Be sure that the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or other objects which could damage lawn mower or engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator and others.

•For best results, do not cut wet grass. It may stick to the underside of the mower, preventing proper discharge of grass clippings, and could cause you

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