Full Product Manual

10 Section 3 — controlS & operation
Blade Control
The blade control is attached to the
upper handle of the mower on all mower
configurations. Depress and squeeze it against
the upper handle to operate the unit. Release it
to stop engine and blade.
WARNING: The blade control is
a safety device. Never attempt to
bypass its operations.
Single Lever Drive Control
(If Equipped)
The single lever drive control is located on top
of the upper handle and is used to engage the
drive. Squeeze it against the upper handle to
engage the drive; release it to slow down or
stop mower from propelling.
Dual Lever Drive Controls
(If Equipped)
The dual lever drive controls are located on top
of the upper handle and are used to engage
the drive. Squeeze the right, left, or both right
and left controls against the upper handle to
engage the drive; release it/them to slow down
or stop mower from propelling.
Premium Drive Control
(If Equipped)
The premium drive control is located on the
upper handle and is used to engage the drive.
Pushing the control forward will engage
the drive. The farther the control is pushed
forward, the faster the mower will propel. Once
pressure is released from the control it will
return to the neutral position and the drive will
be disengaged.
Speed Control (If Equipped)
The speed control is located on the variable
speed control housing on the upper handle.
This control is used to select the forward speed
of the mower.
IMPORTANT: Move the speed control only
when the engine is running. Changing the
speed control setting with the engine OFF can
damage the mower.
Cutting Height Adjustment Lever
There are three cutting height adjustment
configurations.
Single Lever
The cutting height adjustment lever is located
above the rear left wheel. To adjust the cutting
height, refer to Cutting Height Adjustment on
page 7.
Dual Lever
The dual lever cutting height adjustment levers
are located above the front and rear left wheel.
To adjust the cutting height, refer to Cutting
Height Adjustment on page 8.
Rear Wheel/ Caster Wheels
The rear wheel cutting height adjustment lever
is located above the rear left wheel. The caster
wheels adjust by moving the wheel bolts to the
desired position. To adjust the cutting height,
refer to Cutting Height Adjustment on
page 8.
Grass Catcher (If Equipped)
The grass catcher, located at the rear of the
mower, is used to bag the grass clippings for
disposal. Once the bag is full, remove it up
through the handles using the grass catcher
handle and empty it.
Mulch Plug (If Equipped)
The mulch plug is used for mulching purposes.
Instead of collecting the grass clippings in
a grass catcher or using the side discharge
chute, some mower models have the option
of recirculating the clippings back to the lawn.
This is called mulching.
Side Discharge Chute
(If Equipped)
Your mower may be shipped as a mulcher.
To discharge the grass clippings to the side,
follow the instructions in the Side Discharge
Chute section on page 7 to attach the side
discharge chute.
WARNING: Keep hands and feet
away from the chute area on
cutting deck. Refer to warning
label on the unit.
Side Discharge Blower
(If Equipped)
To blow leaves, grass clippings and debris to
the side, follow the instructions on page 11
in the Using Side Discharge Blower section to
attach the side discharge blower.
Deck Wash (If Equipped)
Your mower’s deck may be equipped with a
fast attach deck wash nozzle on its surface
as part of its deck wash system. Use the deck
wash to rinse grass clippings from the deck’s
underside.
Recoil Starter
The recoil starter is attached to the right upper
handle. Stand behind the unit and pull the
recoil starter rope to start the unit.
Electric Starter Push Key
(If Equipped)
The electric starter push key is located on
the right side of the upper handle. It is both
a removable key and push button and is only
provided on electric start models.
Starting & Stopping Engine
Refer to the Engine Operator’s Manual for
instructions on starting and stopping the
engine.
Using Your Lawn Mower
Be sure lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire,
or other objects which could damage lawn
mower or engine. Such objects could be
accidently thrown by the mower in any
direction and cause serious injury to the
operator, others, or the equipment.
There are three drive control configurations.
Refer to Figure 3-1 .
Single Lever Drive Control
1. Once the engine is running, squeeze
the single lever drive control against the
upper handle to propel mower.
2. Release the single lever drive control
to slow down or stop mower from
propelling.
Dual Lever Drive Controls
1. Once the engine is running and while
continuing to hold the blade control
down, squeeze either (or both) drive
controls against the upper handle to
propel mower. See Figure 3-2.
Engage the right, the left, or
both the right and left control
levers to propel the mower.
Figure 3-2
2. To change speed, move speed control to
the desired speed.
NOTE: When selecting a drive speed,
use the first speed until you are
comfortable and familiar with the
operation of the mower.