Product Manual
8
Remote
throttle
control
FAST
SLOW
CHOKE
(START)
OPERATION
The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects thrown into
the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety
glasses or eye shields while operating your lawn mower or performing any
ad just ments or repairs. We recommend standard safety glasses or a wide
vision safety mask worn over spectacles.
• Reinstall wheel components in the same
order as they were before removal.
Tighten securely.
• Make sure all wheels are at same height.
MODELS WITH “QUICK ADJUST”
WHEEL HEIGHT ADJUSTERS
NOTE: For shipping purposes, the rear
wheels on your lawn mower may not be
adjusted to the same position as the front
wheels. Before operating mower adjust all
wheels to the same cutting height.
• Raise wheels for low cut and lower
wheels for high cut.
• Adjust cutting height to suit your require-
ments. Me di um position is best for most
lawns.
• To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster
lever to ward wheel. Move wheel up or
down to suit your re quire ments. Be sure
all wheels are in the same setting.
NOTE: Adjuster is properly positioned when
plate tab inserts into hole in lever. Also, 9-
position adjusters (if so equipped) allow lever
to be positioned between the plate tabs.
Bolt
Flat washer
Wheel
3/8-16
Locknut
Spacer
LEVER BACKWARD
TO LOWER MOWER
LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER
Plate tab
Lever
HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED CONTROL
MODELS WITH REMOTE THROTTLE
Engine speed is con trolled by the throttle
control located on the upper handle.
• Move lever forward to FAST engine
speed for start ing and better bagging.
• Move lever backward for SLOW engine
speed.
• Some models have engines equipped
with a choke feature. Move the lever all
the way forward to the CHOKE position
when starting a cold engine.
MODELS WITH FIXED SPEED ENGINES
Engine speed was set at the factory for
optimum per form ance. Engine speed is
not adjustable.
TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT
Adjust cutting height to suit your re quire -
ments. Me di um position is best for most
lawns. Raise wheels for low cut and lower
wheels for high cut.
MODELS WITH MANUAL ADJUST
BOLT-ON WHEELS
• Remove wheel, bolt, and hardware and
reassemble in desired adjustment hole.
17
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS
CAUTION: Before performing any service or adjustments:
• Release operator presence control bar.
• Make sure the blade and all moving parts have com plete ly stopped.
• Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it can not come in
contact with plug.
GEAR CASE
• To keep your drive system working
properly, the gear case and area around
the drive should be kept clean and free
of trash build-up. Clean under the drive
cover twice a season.
• The gear case is fi lled with lubricant to
the proper level at the factory. The only
time the lubricant needs attention is if
service has been performed on the gear
case.
GEAR CASE WITH METAL HOUSING:
• If lubricant is required, use only Texaco
Starplex Premium 1 Grease, Part No.
750369. Do not substitute.
GEAR CASE WITH PLASTIC HOUSING:
• If lubricant is required, use only ELF
Multis EP00. Do not sub sti tute.
ENGINE
Read the maintenance section of your
engine manual.
LUBRICATION
Change the oil after the fi rst two hours of
operation and every 25 hours there af ter or
at least once a year if the lawn mower is
not used for 25 hours in one year. Refer to
engine manual.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
(SEE ENGINE MANUAL)
• Be sure lawn mower is on level surface.
• Oil will drain more freely when warm.
• Catch oil in a suitable container.
• For engines without dipstick, re move
bottom oil drain plug.
• For engines with oil fi ll cap/dipstick,
remove bottom drain plug or remove en-
gine oil cap and turn mower on its side.
• After oil has drained completely, re place
oil drain plug and tighten se cure ly.
• Refi ll engine with oil. Pour slowly. Do
not overfi ll.
• Fill to top of slot inside of fi ller hole or
to “FULL” line on dipstick on models so
equipped. Keep oil at proper level.
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly and may
be damaged by using a dirty air fi lter.
Clean the element after every 25 hours
of operation or every season. Replace
the air fi lter every 100 hours of operation
or every season, whichever occurs fi rst.
Service air cleaner more often under dusty
conditions. See the maintenance section
of your engine manual.
MUFFLER
Inspect and replace corroded muffl er as it
could create a fi re hazard and/or damage.
SPARK PLUG
Replace spark plug at the beginning of
each mowing season or after every 100
hours of operation, whichever occurs fi rst.
Set spark plug gap according to engine
manual specifi cations.
CLEANING
IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep
mower housing free of grass build-up and
trash. Clean the underside of your mower
after each use.
• Clean the underside of your lawn mower
by scraping to remove buildup of grass
and trash.
• Clean engine often to keep trash from
accumulating. A clogged engine runs
hotter and shortens engine life.
• Keep fi nished surfaces and wheels free
of all gasoline, oil, etc.
We do not recommend using a garden
hose to clean your lawn mower unless the
electrical system, muffl er, air fi lter, and
carburetor are covered to keep water out.
Water in engine can shorten engine life.
GRASS CATCHER (IF SO EQUIPPED)
Grass catcher may be hosed with water
but must be dry when used.
CAUTION: Under nor mal usage, the
catch er material is subject to de te ri o ra tion
and wear and should therefore be checked
to ensure compliance with origi nal
manufacturer specifi cations.