SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER
WARNING: Keep hands and feet away from the chute area on cutting deck. The blade will be rotating whenever the engine is running.
Be sure no one other than the operator is standing near the lawn mower while starting the engine or operating the mower.
Never run engine indoors or in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.
Gas and Oil Fill-Up
•Service the mower engine with gasoline and oil following instructions in the engine manual. If your mower was shipped with oil in the engine, fill up the required amount of gasoline only. Always make sure there is adequate oil in the engine before starting the engine. Fill up as necessary.
WARNING: Never fill fuel tank indoors, with engine running or until the engine has been allowed to cool for at least two minutes after running.
Adjusting Cutting Height
•Your mower was shipped at the highest cutting height. For best results in mowing, keep the cutting height position high until it is determined which height is best for your lawn.
•Refer to height adjustments section of this manual on page 11 for instruction on how to adjust the cutting height and the handle height.
Before Starting
•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.
First Time Starting Engine
NOTE: Use recoil starter rope to start engine for the very first time. The mower is shipped with the safety key in the locked position and the self starter in the de- energized mode, follow instructions as follows.
1.Place lawn mower on a level surface outdoors.
2.Remove clear plastic packaging under fuel cap.
3.Check oil level.
4.Add fuel.
5.Open shut off valve (if equipped) 1/4 turn.
6.Push spark plug wire firmly on spark plug.
7.Turn safety key 1/4 turn clockwise to RUN position.
8.Firmly push primer bulb 3 times.
9.While standing in the operating position, depress the starter control button fully with the thumb of your right hand.
10.Using your left hand, pull the control handle all the way toward the upper handle. See Figure 7.
11.Release the button.
12.Grasp the recoil rope starter handle with your right hand and slowly pull towards you until you feel a slight resistance, then pull firmly until your arm is fully extended.
13.If engine does not start by the second pull, repeat steps 8, 9, 10,11 and 12.
Second Time Starting Engine
NOTE: Follow these instructions if the self starter is already in the energized mode.
WARNING: NEVER assume starter is in the
Blade Control | Starter Control |
Button | |
Handle |
|
Figure 7
1.Check oil level and add fuel, if necessary.
2.Open shut off valve (if equipped) 1/4 turn.
3.Turn safety key 1/4 turn clockwise to RUN position.
4.Firmly push primer bulb 3 times (For a cold engine only!).
5.While standing at upper handle, depress the starter control button with the thumb of your right hand.
6.Using your left hand, pull the blade control handle all the way toward the upper handle. See Figure 7. Starter will
(NOTE: If engine does not start, release the blade control handle and follow steps 8, 9, 10,11 and 12 in the “First Time Starting Engine” instructions.)
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