Section
4
Operation
WARNING
Before operating mower, be sure to read all safety, controls and operating instructions in this Manual and on decals located on machine.
Severe personal injury or property damage could result if this instruction is not followed.
BEFORE OPERATING MOWER
1. Pre-Operation Checklist
With the spark plug wire disconnected from the spark plug, perform the follow- ing checks and services before each use:
1.Review Section 1: “Safety” and Section 3, “Features and Controls” in this man- ual. Read the separate Engine Owner’s Manual provided with the unit.
2.Check unit for loose or missing hard- ware. Tighten or replace as needed.
3.With the unit on level ground, check the engine oil level according to the instructions in the Engine Owner’s Manual. The oil level should be at the FULL mark on the dipstick or up to the top of the oil fill hole on engines with- out a dipstick.
4.Check all levers for freedom of move- ment. Readjust or repair as needed before starting engine.
5.Check that all guards and shields are in place and properly secured.
6.Inspect the area to mowed and re- move any debris which could be picked up and thrown by the mower blades.
7.Check that the mulcher cover is prop- erly installed in the discharge opening (see instructions in this Section).
Remove the mulcher cover to use the
8.On electric start models, check that all wiring connections are clean and tight.
9.Check the air pressure in the rear tires
DANGER
GASOLINE IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE AND ITS VAPORS ARE EXPLOSIVE. To help prevent severe personal injury or prop- erty damage:
•Follow gasoline safety rules in Section 1: “Safety” of this Manual and in the separate Engine Owner’s Manual.
•Never remove the gasoline fill cap or add fuel when indoors or when engine is running or still hot. Allow engine to cool at least three (3) minutes before refueling.
•Keep smoking materials, sparks or flames far away from fuel tank and fuel container.
•Store gasoline in an approved fuel container and in a
•Fill tank to 1/2" below bottom of filler neck to allow for fuel expansion. Wipe up spilled gasoline immediately and move mower away from gasoline fumes before starting engine. Securely re- place caps on fuel tank and fuel container.
10.Remove the fuel cap and check the level of gasoline according to the in- structions in the Engine Owner’s Manual. Clean around fuel fill area before removing fuel cap. Do not check fuel level or add fuel while in- doors or if engine is running or hot. Allow engine to cool for three (3) minutes. Fill the tank with fresh,
clean unleaded gasoline with a mini- mum octane rating of 77. Leave 1/2" of space for fuel expansion. Do not mix oil with gasoline. Do not use gasoline which contains Methanol. See the Engine Owner’s Manual for instructions and precautions regard- ing the use of gasolines that are blended with alcohols or ethers (called oxygenated or reformulated gasolines). Securely replace caps on fuel tank and fuel container.
11.Attach spark plug wire to spark plug after completing above checklist.
2. Set Mower Cutting Height
CAUTION
To avoid personal injury, do not adjust cutting height while wheels or blades are turning. Release all handlebar controls and wait for all motion to stop before adjusting cutting height.
1.Release all controls before adjusting the cutting height.
2.Adjust the cutting height from 1 to 4 inches by rotating the Cutting Height Control lever (Figure
3.In heavy or tall grass, it is usually better to make the first cut at a higher setting and then make a second cut at the desired height. In rough terrain, a higher setting is recommended as it will minimize the chances of the blade strik- ing the ground or hidden obstructions.
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