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4.2.2 Refer to Maintenance and Adjustment Section 5 and perform all of the necessary
inspection and maintenance steps.
4.2.3 Familiarize yourself with the controls and operation of unit. See Controls section
4.1 and Operating Instructions section 4.3.
4.3 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
4.3.1 Refer to Engine Owner’s Manual for detailed operating instructions regarding the
engine.
4.3.2 Starting Engine: Operator must have PTO disengaged and speed control lever
in neutral.
Lock drive levers in neutral and engage park brake.
Open fuel shut-off valve.
NOTE: A cold weather starting kit has been added for ease of starting in either
cold weather or when the unit has not been run for a period of time.
To use cold start kit: (Manual start units only)
a) Pull split ring straight out the side of the unit, and hook the ring over the
lower rear hydro control shield bolt.
b) Start engine. Refer to the following guidelines for further starting
suggestions.
To engage pump drive (disengage cold start kit)
a) Pull chain straight out from the side of the unit until the split ring can be
removed from the bolt.
SLOWLY release tension on chain.
On a cold engine, pull out the choke control.
For a 15 & 17 HP Kawasaki manual start engine, turn key to “Run” position. Pull
recoil rope to start engine.
For a 17HP Kawasaki Electric start engine, OPC levers must be depressed, turn
ignition switch to the “start” position. Release the switch when the engine starts.
After the engine starts and warms up, gradually push down on the choke control
and place the throttle control in the full throttle position
IMPORTANT: For electric start models, do not crank the engine continuously
for more than ten (10) seconds at a time. If the engine does not start, allow a
60 second starter cool-down period between starting attempts. Failure to
follow these guidelines can burn out the starter motor.
On a warm engine, place the throttle control midway between the “Slow” and
“Fast” positions.
NOTE: Kawasaki engines generally need to be “choked” even when warm.
4.3.3 Stopping Engine: Disengage blade drive, position speed control lever in neutral,
lock the drive levers in neutral and engage the park brake. Move throttle to the
“Slow” position. Allow engine to idle for one minute to allow cool down. Turn the
key to the “Off” position.
4.3.4 Drive Lever/Neutral Lock Latch Operation:
For Standard Pistol Grip Handles: To lock the drive levers in neutral, squeeze
the drive levers back to the neutral position (Do Not squeeze the drive levers all
the way back as this will cause the drive wheels to go into full reverse direction).
Place thumbs on the upper portion of the neutral lock latches and move them to
the rear. Release drive levers (See Figure 7).