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Section 4: Operation
4. To start engine using recoil starter:
A. Stand on left side (as viewed from
behind handlebars) of machine. Be
sure your feet are safely away from
the underside of the mower deck and
all mower controls are released.
Place one foot on top of tire.
B. Grasp starter rope handle (Figure 3-
7) and pull slowly until rope pulls
slightly harder. Let rope rewind
slowly. Then pull rope with a rapid,
full arm stroke. Let rope return
slowly. If engine fails to start after
three pulls, repeat instructions start-
ing with Step 2 (try setting throttle at
fast setting).
C. When engine starts, operate in fast
throttle setting (move throttle from
choke setting to fast setting).
5. To start engine using electric starter:
A. Stand behind the handlebars and re-
lease all mower controls.
B. Turn ignition key (F, Figure 4-2) fully
clockwise to crank engine. To avoid
damage to starter motor, do not
crank engine for longer than five sec-
onds at a time. Also, allow 15 sec-
onds between each start attempt. If
engine fails to start after three at-
tempts, repeat instructions starting
with Step 2 (try setting throttle at fast
setting).
C. When engine starts, release key and it
will return to the run (middle) posi-
tion.
D. Operate engine at fast throttle setting
(move throttle from choke setting to
fast setting).
NOTE: If the electric start system is not
functioning, the engine can be started
with the recoil starter. To do so, first put
the ignition key in the run (middle) posi-
tion. Then follow Steps 1-4 above.
Leave the key in the run position during
engine operation.
To Stop the Engine
1. Release all mower controls to stop
wheels or mower blade.
2. Move throttle control down to slow
(turtle) position. (Whenever possible,
gradually reduce engine speed before
stopping engine.)
3. Move Throttle Control all the way
down to stop position (Non-electric Start
Models Only) or turn ignition key (elec-
tric start models) fully counterclockwise
to stop position.
4. On electric start models, remove the
ignition key before leaving the mower
unattended.
ENGAGING THE BLADES
To Engage the Blades
1. Start engine as described in “To Start
the Engine” instructions. Put engine
throttle in fast speed setting.
2. Press and hold Operator Presence
Control (A, Figure 4-2) against handle-
bar grip.
3. Slowly push Blade Drive Control (B,
Figure 4-2) fully forward until it stays in
the engaged position. The blades are
now rotating.
To Stop the Blades
To stop the blades, release the Operator
Presence Control.
TO ENGAGE THE WHEELS
1. Start engine as described in “To
Start the Engine” instructions.
2. FOR FORWARD TRAVEL:
A. Press and hold Operator Presence
Control (A, Figure 4-2) against han-
dlebar grip.
B. Put the Gear Select Lever (C, Figure
4-2) into one of the numbered set-
tings (1 - Slow, 2 and 3 - Medium, 4
- Fast). When first practicing with
the mower, put lever in No. 1 setting.
Select forward speeds according to
mowing conditions and terrain. Use
slower speeds on rough terrain or
when grass is heavy or thick. The
forward speed can be increased on
smooth terrain or if the grass cover
is light. Allow the wheels to stop
completely before shifting from one
forward speed into another.
C. To start the wheels, slowly squeeze
the Wheel Drive Control (D, Figure 4-
2). The harder you squeeze, the
faster the wheels will turn. To avoid
sudden acceleration, slowly squeeze
the lever.
D. TO STOP THE WHEELS:
• To stop drive power to the wheels,
release the Wheel Drive Control. The
wheels will gradually slow to a stop.
• To quickly stop the wheels, release
both the Wheel Drive Control and
the Operator Presence Control.
3. FOR REVERSE TRAVEL:
A. Stop the mower blades and wheels by
releasing the Operator Presence
Control (A, Figure 4-2).
B. Press and hold Operator Presence
Control against handlebar grip.
To avoid injury from rotating blades,
keep face, hands and feet clear of
mower blades at all times.
DANGER
To avoid injury or property damage:
• Look behind the mower before
and during reverse operation.
• Stop the mower blades before operat-
ing in reverse.
WARNING
Before engaging the Wheel Drive Lever
for the very first time, check that the
neutral (N) position on the Gear Select
Lever is properly adjusted. See
“Neutral Adjustment” in Section 5:
Maintenance for the procedure to
follow.
Failure to follow this instruction could
result in personal injury or property
damage.
WARNING
• To avoid damaging the transmission,
do not shift gears while in motion.
• To avoid damaging the wheel brake
mechanism, do not engage the Wheel
Drive Control without first engaging the
Operator Presence Control.
CAUTION
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