CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame.
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 9)
When starting the engine for the first time or if the engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move fuel from the tank to the engine.
•Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake pedal and set parking brake.
•Place gear shift lever in neutral (N) position.
•Move attachment clutch to “DISENGAGED” position.
•Move throttle control to fast position
•Pull choke control out for a cold engine start attempt. For a warm engine start attempt the choke control may not be needed.
NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting procedures below.
•Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to “START” position and release key as soon as engine starts. Do not run starter continuously for more than fifteen seconds per minute. If the engine does not start after several attempts, push choke control in, wait a few minutes and try again. If engine still does not start, pull the choke control out and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50° F and above)
•When engine starts, slowly push choke control in until the engine begins to run smoothly. If the engine starts to run roughly, pull the choke control out slightly for a few seconds and then continue to push the control in slowly.
•The attachments and ground drive can now be used. If the engine does not accept the load, restart the engine and allow it to warm up for one minute using the choke as described above.
COLD WEATHER STARTING (50° F and below)
•When engine starts, slowly push choke control in until the engine begins to run smoothly. Continue to push the choke control in small steps allowing the engine to accept small changes in speed and load, until the choke control is fully in. If the engine starts to run roughly, pull the choke control out slightly for a few seconds and then continue to push the control in slowly. This may require an engine warm-up period from several seconds to several minutes, depending on the temperature.
•The attachments can be used during the engine warm- up period and may require the choke control be pulled out slightly.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold temperatures (below 32 F) the carburetor fuel mixture may need to be adjusted for best engine performance. See “TO ADJUST CARBURETOR” in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.
MOWING TIPS
•Tire chains cannot be used when the mower housing is attached to tractor.
•Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing performance. See “TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING” in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.
•The left hand side of mower should be used for trimming.
•Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area that has been cut. Have the cut area to the right of the tractor. This will result in a more even distribution of clippings and more uniform cutting.
•When mowing large areas, start by turning to the right so that clippings will discharge away from shrubs, fences, driveways, etc. After one or two rounds, mow in the opposite direction making left hand turns until finished (See Fig. 12).
•If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to reduce load and possible fire hazard from dried clip- pings. Make first cut relatively high; the second to the desired height.
•Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet grass will plug mower and leave undesirable clumps. Allow grass to dry before mowing.
•Always operate engine at full throttle when mowing to assure better mowing performance and proper dis- charge of material. Regulate ground speed by selecting a low enough gear to give the mower cutting perfor- mance as well as the quality of cut desired.
•When operating attachments, select a ground speed that will suit the terrain and give best performance of the attachment being used.
FIG. 12
MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP MOWER HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND TRASH. CLEAN AFTER EACH USE.
•The special mulching blade will recut the grass clippings many times and reduce them in size so that as they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass and not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass will biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn. Always mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed as this will provide the best recutting action of the blades.
•Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet. Wet grass tends to form clumps and interferes with the mulching action. The best time to mow your lawn is the early afternoon. At this time the grass has dried and the newly cut area will not be exposed to the direct sun.
•For best results, adjust the mower cutting height so that the mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass blades (See Fig. 13). For extremely heavy mulching, reduce your width of cut on each pass and mow slowly.
•Certain types of grass and grass conditions may require that an area be mulched a second time to completely hide the clippings. When doing a second cut, mow across or perpendicular to the first cut path.
•Change your cutting pattern from week to week. Mow north to south one week then change to east to west the next week. This will help prevent matting and graining of the lawn.
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