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12
OPERATION
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 5)
When starting the engine for the first time or if the engine
has run out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move
fuel from the tank to the engine.
• Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake
pedal and set parking brake.
• Place gear shift lever in neutral position.
• Move attachment clutch to “DISENGAGED” position.
• Move throttle control to choke ( ) position.
NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting
pro ce dures below.
• Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to “START”
position and release key as soon as engine starts.
Do not run starter continuously for more than fifteen
sec onds per minute. If the engine does not start after
several attempts, move throttle control to fast position,
wait a few minutes and try again. If engine still does
not start, move the throttle control back to the choke (
) position and retry.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do not overfill. Use
fresh, clean, regular un lead ed gasoline with a minimum
of 87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline will increase
carbon and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life).
Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quan ti ties
that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.
CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
near an open flame.
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES
BELOW32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE
GAS O LINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER
START ING.
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called
gas o hol or using ethanol or methanol) can at-
tract moisture which leads to sep a ra tion and
for ma tion of acids during storage. Acidic gas
can damage the fuel system of an engine while
in storage. To avoid engine problems, the fuel
system should be emptied before stor age of
30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start
the engine and let it run until the fuel lines
and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next
sea son. See Storage In struc tions for additional
information. Never use engine or carburetor
cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
• Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe clean, reinsert the
dipstick and screw cap tight, wait for a few seconds,
remove and read oil level. If necessary, add oil until
“FULL” mark on dipstick is reached. Do not overfill.
• For cold weather operation you should change oil for
easier starting (See “OIL VISCOSITY CHART” in the
Maintenance sec tion of this manual).
• To change engine oil, see the Maintenance section in
this manual.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50° F and above)
• When engine starts, move the throttle control to the
fast position.
• The attachments and ground drive can now be used. If
the engine does not accept the load, restart the engine
and allow it to warm up for one minute using the choke
as described above.
COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50° F and below)
• When engine starts, allow engine to run with the throttle
control in the choke (
) position until the engine runs
roughly, then move throttle control to fast position. This
may require an engine warm-up period from several sec-
onds to several minutes, depending on the tem per a ture.
• The attachments can also be used during the engine
warm-up period.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold
tem per a tures (below 32 F) the carburetor fuel mixture may
need to be adjusted for best engine performance. See “TO
ADJUST CAR BU RE TOR” in the Service and Adjustments
section of this manual.
MOWING TIPS
• Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing per-
for mance. See "TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the
Service and Adjustments section of this manual.
• The left hand side of mower should be used for trim ming.
• Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area
that has been cut. Have the cut area to the right of the
machine. This will result in a more even distribution of
clippings and more uniform cutting.
• When mowing large areas, start by turning to the right
so that clippings will discharge away from shrubs,
fences, drive ways, etc. After one or two rounds, mow
in the opposite direction making left hand turns until
finished (See Fig. 7).
FIG. 7
• If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to
reduce load and possible fire hazard from dried clip -
pings. Make first cut relatively high; the second to the
desired height.
• Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet grass will plug
mower and leave undesirable clumps. Allow grass to
dry before mowing.
• Always operate engine at full throttle when mow-
ing to assure better mowing performance and proper
dis charge of ma te ri al. Regulate ground speed by se-
lect ing a low enough gear to give the mower cutting
per for mance as well as the quality of cut desired.
• When operating attachments, select a ground speed
that will suit the terrain and give best performance of
the attachment being used.