10
OPERATION
TO STOP ENGINE
• To stop engine, move throttle control lever to STOP
position. Wait until blade and all moving parts have
stopped and turn fuel valve to OFF position if you do
not intend to re start the engine soon.
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 14)
NOTE: Due to protective coatings on the engine, a small
amount of smoke may be present during the initial use of
the product and should be considered normal.
1. Be sure fuel valve is in the ON po si tion.
2. To start a cold engine, move handle mounted throttle/
choke con trol le ver to CHOKE position.
3. Pull starter handle quickly. Do not allow starter rope
to snap back.
4. Slowly move throttle control lever to FAST position
after engine starts.
• To start a warm engine, move throt tle control lever to
FAST position, then follow steps above.
NOTE: Allow a cold engine to warm up for one minute
before starting the blade. See “BLADE CONTROL” in this
section of this manual.
FUEL
VALVE
LEVER
FIG. 14
ON
OFF
MOWING TIPS
CAUTION: Do not use de-thatcher
blade attachments. Such attachments
are hazardous, will damage your mower
and could void your warranty.
• Under certain conditions, such as very tall grass, it
may be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce
pushing effort and to keep from overloading the engine
and leaving clumps of grass clippings. It may also be
necessary to reduce ground speed and/or run the
lawn mower over the area a second time.
• For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the width of cut
by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly.
• For better grass bagging and most cutting conditions,
the engine speed should be set in the fast position.
• Pores in cloth grass catchers can become filled with
dirt and dust with use and catchers will collect less
grass. To prevent this, regularly hose catcher off with
water and let dry before using.
• Keep top of engine around starter clear and clean of
grass clippings and chaff. This will help engine air
flow and extend engine life.
MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP MOWER
HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND TRASH. SEE
“CLEANING” IN MAINTENANCE SECTION OF THIS MANUAL.
• The special mulching blade will recut the grass clip-
pings many times and reduce them in size so that
as they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into the
grass and not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass
will biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for the
lawn. Always mulch with your highest engine (blade)
speed as this will provide the best recutting action of
the blades.
• Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet. Wet grass tends
to form clumps and interferes with the mulching action.
The best time to mow your lawn is the early afternoon.
At this time the grass has dried, yet the newly cut area
will not be exposed to direct sunlight.
• For best results, adjust the lawn mower cutting height
so that the lawn mower cuts off only the top one-third
of the grass blades (See Fig. 15). If the lawn is over-
grown it will be necessary to raise the height of cut to
reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloading
the engine and leaving clumps of mulched grass. For
extremely heavy mulching, reduce your width of cut
by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly.
• Certain types of grass and grass conditions may require
that an area be mulched a second time to completely
hide the clippings. When doing a second cut, mow
across (perpendicular) to the first cut path.
• Change your cutting pattern from week to week. Mow
north to south one week then east to west the next week.
This will help prevent matting and graining of the lawn.
FIG. 15
MAX 1/3