Read and keep this book for future reference. This book contains important information on SAFETY, PREPARATION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE. MODEL 461000x8A PRODUCT INFORMATION The owner must be certain that all the product information is included with the unit. This information includes the INSTRUCTION BOOKS, the REPLACEMENT PARTS and the WARRANTIES. This information must be included to make sure state laws and other laws are followed. RECORD THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR UNIT.
TABLE OF CONTENTS WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SAFETY RULES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . INTERNATIONAL PICTORIALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 3 9 10 PARTS BAG – CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OWNER’S INFORMATION This instruction book is for several different models. The instructions are written for a person with some mechanical ability. Like most service books, not all the steps are described. Steps on how to loosen or tighten fasteners are steps anyone can follow with some mechanical ability. Read and follow these instructions before you use the unit. Know your product: If you understand the unit and how the unit operates, you will get the best performance.
OWNER’S INFORMATION b. Limit loads to those you can safely control. c. Do not turn sharply. Use care when backing. d. Use counterweights or wheel weights when suggested in the Instruction Book. 19. Do not operate this machine if you are taking drugs or other medication which can cause drowsiness or affect your ability to operate this machine. 20. Do not use this machine if you are mentally or physically unable to operate this machine safely. 21.
SAFE MOWING GUIDE Each person that operates power equipment must learn to use correct and safe mowing procedures. To help you learn, carefully read the following pages. Most of the time the operator was not correctly shown or did not read the instructions on the unit or in the Instruction Book before using the unit. Also, some operators do not have enough experience. The result is unsafe use, endangering the operator, bystanders and the equipment. Another result can be a poor appearance of the area mowed.
SAFE MOWING GUIDE mower was completely assembled at the store, you must still check the mower according to the assembly instructions. Make sure the mower is correctly assembled and that all fasteners are tight. Make sure the engine has the correct amount of oil. Check these items often during the life of the mower. Your mower has a gasoline engine. Gasoline is a dangerous fuel. Keep gasoline only in an approved safety gasoline container. Do not keep large amounts of gasoline.
SAFE MOWING GUIDE Also, the grass bagger will function better when the engine is operating at maximum speed. On slopes, decrease the ground speed and use care making sure the mower feels safe to operate. feel new or excessive vibration, immediately stop the engine and check for the problem. Vibration can be a warning of a problem. Keep all nuts, bolts and screws tight. If the weather conditions are bad, do not mow. If weather conditions become bad, stop cutting and finish later.
STEPS TO FOLLOW BEFORE MOWING F Be sure to dress correctly. Wear hard shoes, not sandals or tennis shoes. F Examine the blade. A blade that is bent, cracked, or damaged must be replaced with a factory replacement blade. F Fill the fuel tank outside. Clean off spilled fuel. F Read and follow the Owner’s Manual, the instructions with the engine, and the instructions with any attachments. Owner’s Manual instructions are for your safety and the safety of others. F Exhaust fumes are dangerous.
INTERNATIONAL PICTORIALS INTERNATIONAL PICTORIALS IMPORTANT: Some of the following pictorials are located on your unit or on literature supplied with the product. Before you operate the unit, learn and understand the purpose for each pictorial. Safety Warning Pictorials 1 2 3 4 Warning Shield Eyes. Explosive Gases Can Cause Blindness Or Injury. No Sparks, Flames or Smoking. Sulphuric Acid Can Cause Blindness Or Severe Burns 5 Flush Eyes Immediately With Water. Get Medical Help Fast.
ASSEMBLY ASSEMBLY WARNING: Before doing any assembly or maintenance to the mower, remove the wire from the spark plug. Read and follow the assembly and adjustment instructions for your mower. All fasteners are in the parts bag. Do not discard any parts or material until the unit is assembled. NOTE: In this instruction book, left and right describe the location of a part with the operator on the seat. PARTS BAG – CONTENTS The fasteners and other loose parts are shown below.
ASSEMBLY 3. HOW TO INSTALL THE SEAT 1. Carefully remove the plastic bag from the seat. Use the fasteners shown below to install the seat. The fasteners are shown at full size. Check the operating position of the seat. If the seat needs to be adjusted, loosen the two wing bolts. Slide the seat forward or backward along the seat adjusting holes as shown. Tighten the wing bolts (A).
ASSEMBLY MAINTENANCE FREE BATTERY 3. IMPORTANT: Before you attach the battery cables to the battery, check the battery date. The battery date tells if the battery must be charged. Use a 12 volt battery charger to charge the battery. Charge at a rate of 6 amperes for one hour. If you do not have a battery charger, have an authorized service center charge the battery. 4. Install the battery and battery tray. Make sure the positive (+) terminal is on the left side. 1.
ASSEMBLY IMPORTANT! BEFORE YOU START MOWING - Check the engine oil. WARNING: Before doing any assembly or maintenance to the mower, remove the wire from the spark plug. - Fill the fuel tank with gasoline. - Check the level of the mower housing. - Check the air pressure of the tires. NOTE: In this instruction book, left and right describe the location of a part with the operator on the seat. - Make sure the battery cables are attached.
OPERATION Throttle Control Lever Blade Rotation Control Clutch / Brake Pedal Shift Lever Lift Lever Figure 4 LOCATION OF CONTROLS BLADE ROTATION CONTROL: Use the blade rotation SHIFT LEVER: Use the shift lever to change the speed of the control to start and stop the rotation of the blades. unit. CLUTCH / BRAKE PEDAL: The pedal has two functions. LIFT LEVER: Use the lift lever to change the height of cut. The first function is a clutch. The second function is a brake.
OPERATION ATTACHMENTS Disengage Position This unit can use many different attachments. See the attachment page in this book. This unit can pull attachments like a lawn sweeper, a lawn aerator, a hopper spreader or a small trailer. For all pull–behind attachments or trailers, the maximum gross weight is 300 pounds. Gross weight is the weight of the attachment or trailer and any load that might be on or in it.
OPERATION HOW TO SET THE PARKING BRAKE 1. 2. 3. 4. Completely push the clutch/brake pedal forward. Lift the parking brake lever (Figure 6). Remove your foot from the clutch/brake pedal and then release the parking brake lever. Make sure the parking brake will hold the unit. To release the parking brake, completely push the clutch/brake pedal forward. The parking brake will automatically release. WARNING: Before you leave the operator’s position, move the shift lever to the neutral (N) position.
OPERATION HOW TO OPERATE WITH THE MOWER HOUSING WARNING: The deflector is a safety device. Do not remove the deflector. The deflector forces the discharged material toward the ground. Always keep the deflector in the down position. If the deflector is damaged, replace the deflector with an original equipment part from an authorized service center. 1. Start the engine. 2. Move the lift lever to a height of cut position. 6.
OPERATION CAUTION: A mixture of alcohol (ethanol or methanol) and gasoline (called gasohol), will attract moisture and cause acid deposits during storage. While the unit is in storage, the acids in the fuel can damage the fuel system. BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE CHECK THE OIL NOTE: The engine was shipped from the factory filled with oil. Check the level of the oil. Add oil as needed. See the engine manufacturer’s instructions for the type of gasoline and oil to use.
OPERATION OPERATING TIPS 1. Check the blade rotation control for correct adjustment. For the blade(s) to disengage correctly, the adjustment must be correct. 5. Before you make an inspection, adjustment (except for the carburetor) or repair, make sure the wire from the spark plug is disconnected. 2. Before you use the unit, check the oil in the engine and add oil if necessary. 6. For longer life of the battery on electric start models, charge the battery every three months. 3.
OPERATION HOW TO CHANGE THE MULCHER PLATE Deflector Bracket Deflector WARNING: To prevent the engine from starting, disconnect the wire from the spark plug. Make sure the blade rotation control is in the DISENGAGE position. The mulcher plate lets you mulch the grass for a clean, fine cut. To discharge the grass out the side or into a grass bagger, remove the mulcher plate as follows. B How To Remove The Mulcher Plate 1. Raise the deflector.