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4
Operating
Your Lawn
Mower
WARNING
The operation of any
lawn mower can result
in foreign objects being
thrown into the eyes,
which can damage your
eyes severely. Always
wear safety glasses
while operating the
mower or while perform-
ing any adjustments or
repairs on it.
Be sure no one other
than the operator is
standing near the
lawn mower while
starting engine or
operating mower. Never
run engine indoors or
in enclosed, poorly
ventilated areas. Engine
exhaust contains carbon
monoxide, an odorless
and deadly gas. Keep
hands, feet, hair and
loose clothing away
from any moving parts
on engine and lawn
mower.
Figure 4-2: Starting the Briggs & Stratton engine.
any direction and cause serious personal injury to the
operator and others.
WARNING: If you strike a foreign
object, stop the engine. Remove
wire from the spark plug, thoroughly
inspect mower for any damage, and
repair damage before restarting and operating.
Extensive vibration of mower during operation is an
indication of damage. The unit should be promptly
inspected and repaired.
Using as Mulcher
For mulching grass, remove the grass catcher and side
discharge chute from the mower. For effective mulching,
do not cut wet grass. If the grass has been allowed to
grow in excess of four inches, mulching is not recom-
mended. Use the grass catcher to bag clippings instead.
Using Grass Catcher
You can use the grass catcher to collect clippings while
you are operating the mower. Refer to setup section for
instructions on attaching the grass catcher.
Starting Engine
WARNING: Be sure no one other than
the operator is standing near the lawn
mower while starting engine or operat-
ing mower. Never run engine indoors or
in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust
contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly
gas. Keep hands, feet, hair and loose clothing away
from any moving parts on engine and lawn mower.
Follow the set of instructions pertaining to your unit.
Refer to engine manual for help with the engine.
Briggs & Stratton/ Kawasaki Engine:
1. If equipped, push primer three times (Kawasaki - one
time). Wait about two seconds between each push.
See Figure 4-2. In temperature around 55° F or below,
prime five times. Do not prime to restart a warm
engine.
2. Standing behind the mower, squeeze the blade control
against upper handle. See Figure 4-2.
3. Holding these two handles together firmly, grasp recoil
starter handle and pull rope out with a rapid, continu-
ous, full arm stroke. See Figure 4-2. Keeping a firm
grip on the starter handle, let the rope rewind slowly.
Repeat until engine cranks. Let the rope rewind each
time slowly.
Honda Engine:
1. Place the fuel valve lever found on the left side of the
engine into the ON (OPEN) position. See Figure 4-3.
2. Move the choke lever (if equipped) all the way
backward into the choke position.
3. Standing behind the mower, squeeze the blade control
against upper handle. See Figure 4-3. The choke will
now begin to slowly return to the off choke position
after activating the blade control. Therefore, quickly
move onto step four below.
4. Holding these two handles together firmly, grasp recoil
starter handle and pull rope out with a rapid, continu-
ous, full arm stroke. See Figure 4-3. Keeping a firm
grip on the starter handle let the rope rewind slowly.
Repeat until engine cranks. Let the rope rewind each
time slowly.
WARNING: Wait for the blade to stop
completely before performing any work
on the mower or to remove the grass
catcher.
Stopping Engine
1. Release blade control to stop the engine and blade.
2. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and
ground against the engine.
Using Your Lawn Mower
Be sure lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or other
objects which could damage lawn mower or engine.
Such objects could be accidently thrown by the mower in
Figure 4-3: Starting the Honda engine.
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ON
OFF
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