10
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
If you are not completely familiar with the Safety Instruction
Manual read it now before proceeding with the operation of the
mower. REMEMBER THERE ARE CERTAIN PRECAUTIONS
LISTED IN THIS MANUAL THAT YOU MUST NOW TAKE BEFORE
STARTING THE MOWER.
Inspect Mower Before Each Use
Inspection of Mower:
Do not use the mower if
any parts are not maintained in good operating
condition. Examine all moving parts prior to each
use. Look for excessive wear, bald drive tires or
worn out front tires (normally smooth), cracks in
parts, loose or missing bolts, cotter, linchpin or
“hair” pins or cable yoke pins and replace before
operating the mower. Make sure all safety
equipment provided with the mower is in good
operating order, including all warning decals and
the operator-presence device which stops the
engine and blades when the foot-operated
Operator Presence Control (OPC) switch is
released. To test the OPC, follow the instructions
given later in this manual. Inspect the two anti-tip
rollers and their respective bolts at the rear of the
mower for tightness and proper operation. Ensure
that all parts of the Quad-Lever™ control system
are tight and secure. This is to reduce the
possibility that the mower could have a loss of
control or safety.
Basic Operation:
The following procedures are
to guide you through the basic operation of the
mower. You should be a qualified mower operator
according to the safety section of this manual. If
this is your first time, operation should only be
done with the assistance of your dealer on a level
area. You should go through each step, in the
order indicated, every time you start the mower.
How to start the mower
Before starting the engine
• Move mower to an open, well ventilated area.
• Make sure the control levers are in the exact
neutral position.
• Apply the parking brake if it is not already set.
• Turn OFF the blade engaging switch if it is on.
• Check the engine oil.
• Turn fuel valve to the “ON” position.
Starting the engine
• Start the engine according to the engine
manufacturer’s recommendation, see engine
manual. Set the throttle control lever near mid
throttle, pull out on the choke control knob and
turn the key to the start position. Do not
engage the starter for more than ten (10)
seconds at a time. This may overheat the
starter and the wiring systems. Wait ten (10)
seconds between attempts. If the engine does
not start after several attempts or stalls
frequently, take the mower in for service.
After starting the engine according to the engine
manufacturer’s recommendation, push in on the
choke control knob to open the choke valve, let the
engine run for several minutes to get the hydraulic
fluid circulating through the pumps, etc. and to
allow the engine to warm up. Do not over-rev a
cold engine.
Unusual noises or irregular operation:
As you drive the mower, listen for any unusual
noises and test for irregular operation and adjust or
service as necessary.
How to drive the mower
While standing, both feet should be firmly placed
on the foot platform. Set the engine speed about a
fourth of the way from idle. Release the parking
brake. Now try moving the hand control levers,
one at a time, very slightly, forward and backward.
Check to see if the wheels move forward and
backward according to the position of the levers. If
not, check to see that the pump release valves are
closed. With both feet still firmly placed on the foot
platform, increase the engine speed to about half
of the way from idle speed. Release the parking
WARNING
WARNING
CALIFORNIA
Proposition 65 Warning
The engine exhaust from this product
contains chemicals known to the state of
California to cause cancer, birth defects or
other reproductive harm.