Operator`s manual

Section4: Operation
12
a. To adjust cuttingheight,pullthe
CuttingHeightLever(A, Figure4-6)
awayfrom the mowerto releasethe
tab from the slot. Besure to grip the
leverfirmly to preventthe mowerdeck
from dropping down rapidly.
Figure4-6: Cuttingheightadjustment.
b. While pulling the leverawayfrom
the mower, movethe levertowardsthe
backofthe mower(B, Figure4-6) for a
highercut or towards the front of the
mower (C)for a lower cut.
c. Seatthe lever'stab squarelyinto
the slot.
IMPORTANT:Themoweris equipped
with asafetyflap locatedonthe rearof
the mowerdeck.Aftersettingthe cutting
height,becertainthattheflap hangs
freelyand is notcaughtunderthedeck.
6. PrepareEngine-
• Checkoil level- If this is a new mower,
addmotor oil asdescribedinthe Engine
Owner'sManual;otherwise,checkoil
levelandaddasrecommendedin the
EngineOwner'sManual.
GASOLINEIS HIGHLYFLAMMABLEAND
ITSVAPORSAREEXPLOSIVE.
Follow the gasolinesafety rules in this
Manual (Section 1) and in the separate
EngineOwner'sManual.
Failureto followgasolinesafetyinstruc-
tions can result in serious personal
injuryandpropertydamage.
• Addfuel - Fill the fuel tank with gasoline
accordingto the directionsin the
separateEngineOwner'sManual.
Followall instructionsand Safetyrules
carefully.
• Checkair filter - Theengineis
equippedwith anair filtration system.
When clogged,it causesstartingdiffi-
culties andoperatesinefficiently. See
the EngineOwner'sManualfor infor-
mationon howto maintainthe air
filter system.
OPERATING THE MOWER
Thefollowing proceduresexplainhowto
start, stopand operatethe mower.
Startingthe Engine
Do not operate the engine in an
enclosedarea. Engineexhaustcontains
carbonmonoxide,a deadly gas that is
odorless, colorless and tasteless.
Always run the engine outdoors and
makesurethereisadequateventilation.
1. Openthe fuel shut-off valve,if so
equipped.
2. Primethe engineby pushingthe
primerbulbfirmly 3 times.
NOTE:Priming maynot benecessary
whenrestartinga warmengine.
However,cool weathermay require
priming again. Seethe EngineOwner's
Manualfor priming information.
To avoid injury or property damage,
thoroughlyinspectarea wheremoweris
to be used and remove all stones,
sticks, wires, bones, nails and other
foreignobjects.
3. Standbehindthe mower handlebar
andpull the OperatorPresenceControl
Bail(A,Figure3-1) backagainstthe
handlebarandhold.
4. Checkbehindyou for obstacles,then
slowly pull the recoil rope (E,Figure3-1)
until resistanceis felt. Pullthe ropeout
rapidlyto start engine. Let the rope
return slowly. If the enginefails to start
afterthreepulls, repeatsteps 2-4.
Stoppingthe
EngineandMower Blade
1. ReleasetheOperatorPresenceControl
Bail(A,Figure3-1) to stopthe engineand
blade,
To avoid personal injury, keep hands
and feet clear of mowerblade or other
rotatingparts.
EmergencyStopping
Releaseall controls.Thisstops the
engine,wheelmovementandtheblade.
IMPORTANT:The mowerisequipped
with a BladeControlSystemwhich is
designedto stopthe mowerbladewithin
three (3) secondsafterreleasingthe
OperatorPresenceControlBail. This
system alsostops the engine.
If the Blade Control System does not
operate properly, the blade could
continueto rotatefor longerthan three
(3) secondsafter releasingthe Operator
PresenceControl Bail. If this occurs,
discontinueusingthemowerandimme-
diately contact your local authorized
dealer or the factory for instructions.
Do not operate the mower until the
BladeControlSystemis repaired.
Failure to do this could result in
personalinjuryorpropertydamage.
Mowing
1. Starttheengine. SeeStartingthe
Engineinthis Section.
2. Usethe WheelSpeedControlto select
awheelspeed. Themowerhasthree
wheelspeeds. Selectaslowerspeed
whenfirst starting out(or when learning
how to usethe mower),then moveinto
faster speedsif needed.
• Low Speed(1)- is engagedwhenthe
leveris pulledalltheway back. Low
speedprovidesthe most efficientcut.
• MediumSpeed(2)- isengagedwhen
the leveris movedto the middle detent
position (thecontrol leverwill click into
place). This speedis a goodcompro-
misefor speedand cutting perfor-
mance.
• High Speed(3)- isengagedwhenthe
leveris pushedallthewayforward.
High speedenablesyou to coverthe
cuttingareamorequickly, but may
result ina lessefficientcut.