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Assembly Instructions
21
PREOPERATING CHECKLIST
Before operating the mower for the first time, and as
a routine before daily operations, it is important to
make sure the mower is properly prepared and
ready for operation. The following is a list of items to
be checked. (For a mower with frequent operation,
some of these items will not need to be checked ev-
ery day, but the operator should be aware of the
condition of each.)
For proper fuels and lubricants refer to Specifica-
tions.
FILL FUEL TANK
Fill the fuel tank using clean, fresh automotive
grade unleaded gasoline (87 octane rating mini-
mum).
IMPORTANT: DO NOT permit dirt or other foreign
matter to enter the fuel tank. Wipe dirt from around
the filler cap before removing. Use a clean fuel stor-
age container and funnel.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT mix oil with gasoline. Al-
ways use fresh, automotive grade gasoline. DO
NOT use premium, white, or high-test gasoline. DO
NOT use additives, such as carburetor cleaners, de-
icers, or moisture removing agents. DO NOT use
gasoline blended with methyl alcohol.
CHECK ENGINE CRANKCASE OIL LEVEL
Check the engine crankcase oil level before use and
after each 5 hours of continuous operation. Refer
to LUBRICATION for
Checking Engine Crankcase
Oil Level
in Maintenance Instructions.
CHECK AND SERVICE ENGINE AIR CLEAN-
ER SYSTEM
• Check air restriction gauge to make sure there is
no red indication showing.
• Check condition, cleanliness, and security of the
complete air cleaner system (clean primary air
filter every 100 hours). For detailed proce-
dures, refer to CLEANING the Engine Air
Cleaner System in Maintenance Instructions.
ADJUST CARBURETOR (Initial Start-up Only)
Refer to ADJUSTMENTS of Carburetor in Mainte-
nance Instructions.
CHECK ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Check that the engine cooling air intake screen is
free of obstruction by grass clippings or debris and
clean if required. Also, cylinder head cooling fins
should be inspected and cleaned if any build-up of
debris is noted [remove two (2) cylinder head ac-
cess panels to inspect and clean].
Check performance of the cooling system by start-
ing the engine, holding a hand adjacent to the cylin-
der heads, and feeling the cooling airflow.
DANGER
Handle gasoline with care. Gasoline is
highly flammable and its vapors are ex-
plosive. Use safe refueling procedures:
• DO NOT fill fuel tank with the engine run-
ning.
• If the engine is hot, allow to cool before
refueling.
• Use an approved fuel container.
• Fuel the mower outdoors.
• DO NOT smoke while refueling.
• Avoid spilling fuel; use a funnel or
spout.
• DO NOT overfill the fuel tank; fill up to
about 1 in. (25 mm) below the top of tank.
DANGER
Make sure to keep hands clear of exhaust
pipe, muffler, and moving parts when
checking airflow.