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SECTION6: OPERATINGYOURGARDENTRACTOR
MaintainingSafety
WARNING: As with any type of power
equipment, carelessness or error on the part
of the operator can result in serious injury.
Read and follow the instructions in this
manual very carefully. Avoid serious injury or
death by mishandling the equipment.
0o:
• Go up and down slopes, not across; avoid sudden
turns.
• If machine stops going uphill, stop blade(s) and
back downhill slowly.
• Look down and behind before and while backing.
• Keep safety devices (guards, shields, and
switches) in place and working.
• Remove objects that could be thrown by the
blade(s).
• Know location and function of all controls. Refer to
earlier section on page 14.
• Be sure blade(s) and engine are stopped before
placing hands or feet near blade(s).
• Before leaving operator's position, disengage
blade(s), place the shift lever in neutral, engage
brake lock, shut engine offand remove key.
DoNot:
• Do not operate the unit where it could slip or tip.
• Do not mow when children or others are around.
• Never carry children on the tractor, even with the
blades off.
Gasand011Fill-Up
• Check oil level and add if necessary. Service the
engine with gasoline as instructed inthe separate
engine manual packed with your tractor. Read
instructions carefully.
IMPORTANT:Your tractor is shipped with oil;however,
you must check the oil level before operating. Be
careful not to overfill.
• The fuel tank is located under the seat. The filler
neck is behind the seat. Fill up with the required
amount of gasoline. However, do not overfill.
,_ WARNING; Never fill fuel tank indoors,
with engine running or while engine is hot.
StartingEngine
IMPORTANT: This unit is equipped with a safety
interlock system for your protection. The safety
interlock system is to prevent the engine from cranking
or starting unless the clutch-brake pedal is depressed
and the PTO lever is inthe disengaged position. In
addition, the Pro lever must be in the disengaged
position when the unit isput into reverse orthe engine
will shut off. If the operator loaves the seat with the PTO
lever engaged and/or without setting the parking brake,
the engine willautomatically shut off.
WARNING: Do not operate the tractor if the
interlock system is malfunctioning because it
is a safety device, designed for protection.
• Place the PTO lever in the disengaged (down)
position.
• Depress the clutch-brake pedal and set the parking
brake.
• Place the shift lever in the NEUTRAL position.
• Set the throttle control inthe FAST position.
• Pull out the choke control (a warm engine may not
require choking).
• Turn the ignitionkey to the right to the START
position. After the engine starts, release the key. It
will return to the ON position.
• Slowly push inthe choke as the engine warms up.
StoppingEngine
• Turn the ignitionkey to the left to the OFF position.
Remove the key to prevent accidental starting.
IMPORTANT: Ifthe tractor strikes a foreign object, stop
the engine. Remove wire from spark plug, thoroughly
inspect the unitfor any damage, and repair the damage
before restarting and operating the equipment.
NOTE: If any problems are encountered, refer to the
Trouble Shooting Guide.
SettingCuffingHeight
• Select the positionfor the tractor liftlever which
gives the desired cutting height. Then move the
wheels on the deck so that the wheels are 1/4 to 1/2
inch above the ground.
NOTE: To obtain uniform cut, the deck is designed to
be suspended from the tractor at the desired cutting
height. The deck wheels or deck roller should be just off
the ground to smooth out the cut and guard against
gouging.
OperatingtheTractor
• Start the engine as instructed previously.
• Move throttle controlto full throttle to prevent strain
on the engine and to operate attachments.
16