ADD GASOLINE
•Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck. Do not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline. Pur- chase fuel in quantities that can be used
within 30 days to assure fuel freshness. 
CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame.
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which leads to separation and formation of acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage. To avoid engine problems, the fuel system should be emptied before storage of 30 days or longer. Empty the gas tank, start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage Instructions for additional information. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.
TO STOP ENGINE
•To stop engine, release operator pres- ence control bar.
TO START ENGINE
NOTE: Due to protective coatings on the engine, a small amount of smoke may be present during the initial use of the prod- uct and should be considered normal.
1.To start a cold engine, push primer three (3) times before trying to start. Use a firm push. This step is not usually necessary when starting an engine which has already run for a few minutes.
2.Hold operator presence control bar down to the handle and pull starter handle quickly. Do not allow starter rope to snap back.
NOTE: In cooler weather it may be necessary to repeat priming steps. In warmer weather over priming may cause flooding and engine will not start. If you do flood engine, wait a few minutes before attempting to start and do not repeat priming steps.
MOWING TIPS
CAUTION: Do not use
•Under certain conditions, such as very tall grass, it may be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloading the engine and leaving clumps of grass clip- pings. It may also be necessary to re- duce ground speed and/or run the lawn mower over the area a second time.
•For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the width of cut by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly.
•For better grass bagging and most cut- ting conditions, the engine speed should be set in the FAST position.
•Pores in cloth grass catchers can be- come filled with dirt and dust with use and catchers will collect less grass. To prevent this, regularly hose catcher off with water and let dry before using.
•Keep top of engine around starter clear and clean of grass clippings and chaff.This will help engine air flow & extend engine life.
MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep mower housing free of
•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, yet the newly cut area will not be exposed to direct sunlight.
•For best results, adjust the lawn mower cutting height so that the lawn mower cuts off only the top
MAX 1/3
•Certain types of grass and grass conditions may require that an area be mulched a sec- ond time to completely hide the clippings. When doing a second cut, mow across (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
8graining of the lawn.
