Troy-Bilt 13A-344-563 manual Operating Your Rider Mower

SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR RIDER MOWER

Using Throttle/Choke Control

The throttle/choke control is used to increase or decrease the speed of the engine.The FAST and the SLOW positions are marked with illustrations of a rabbit and a turtle respectively. See Figure 9.

•For normal operation and when using a grass catcher, move the throttle/choke control to the FAST position.

•For maximum charging of the battery and also for a cooler engine while running, move the throttle/ choke control to the FAST position.

•For transport and to tow pull-behind attachments, move the throttle/choke control to the SLOW position.

NOTE: Do not adjust the governor to increase or decrease the engine speed. The governor is set at the factory for maximum engine performance, and should not be altered.

Using Parking Brake

To engage parking brake

•Completely push the brake pedal down and stop the unit.

•With your right foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever to the neutral position.

•Continuing to hold down the brake pedal with your right foot, pull up the parking brake knob. Make sure the parking brake holds the unit.

•Release the brake pedal. Stop the engine and remove the ignition key. Now your rider mower is parked.

To release the parking brake

•Depress the brake pedal. The parking brake will be automatically disengaged.

The battery is located under the hood assembly above the left rear wheel. Refer to Figure 3 .

Starting Engine

•Attach the wire to the spark plug.

•Depress the brake pedal with your right foot.

•Set throttle/choke control in the CHOKE position (all the way forward).

•Place the shift lever in the NEUTRAL position.

•Turn the ignition key to the START position. As soon as the engine starts, let the key return to the ON position.

•Move throttle/choke control out of CHOKE position and into FAST throttle position.

NOTE: If engine floods, set choke to OPEN/RUN position, place throttle in FAST and crank until engine starts.

Starting Mower

•Depress the brake pedal so that the parking brake is disengaged.

•Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit) position. Keep the throttle in the FAST position for optimal use of the riding mower and blade engagement.

•Place the shift lever in either the FORWARD or the REVERSE position as you desire. Look to the rear and check before backing up.

•Release the brake pedal.

•Depress the "Go" Pedal.

•To stop, release the "Go" Pedal and depress the brake pedal.

•Press the blade engagement pedal downward until the blade is turning.The blade can be engaged either while the mower is in motion or while it is standing.

Before Starting

Service the engine with oil and gasoline as described in the engine manual. Check the oil level.

WARNING: Never fill fuel tank indoors, or when engine is running or hot. Do not smoke while filling up the gasoline tank.

Battery

Ordinarily the battery is charged and ready for use; so you will not have to charge it before starting. However, if the battery is put into service for the first time after the date shown on the side of the battery, you will have to charge it for a minimum of one hour at 4-6 amps. Refer to the battery supplement sheet for instructions on charging the battery.

NOTE: Your rider mower is equipped with a blade lock to keep the blade engaged without the operator having to depress the blade pedal continuously. See Figure 8.

•To engage the blade lock: While pressing down on the blade pedal, push the blade lock down with your heel. It should click into the “blade engaged” position. To disengage the blade lock, simply push down on the blade pedal and the lock will release itself.

WARNING: When the blades are engaged, keep feet and hands away from the discharge opening, the blades or any part of the deck.

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