9
CAUTION
: Alcohol blended fuels
(called gasohol or using ethanol or metha-
nol) can attract moisture which leads to
separation and for ma tion of acids during
storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel
system of an engine while in storage. To
avoid engine problems, the fuel system
should be emptied before stor age of 30
days or longer. Empty the gas tank, start
the engine and let it run until the fuel lines
and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel
next season. See Storage In struc tions for
additional information. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur.
MOWING TIPS
CAUTION:
Do not use de-thatcher
blade attachments on your mower. Such
attachments are hazardous, will damage
your mower and could void your warranty.
• Under certain conditions, such as very
tall grass, it may be necessary to raise
the height of cut to reduce pushing effort
and to keep from over load ing the en gine
and leaving clumps of grass clippings.
It may also be necessary to reduce
ground speed and/or run the lawn
mower over the area a second time.
• For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the
width of cut by overlapping pre vi ous ly
cut path and mow slowly.
• For better grass bagging and most cut-
ting conditions, the engine speed should
be set in the FAST position.
• For side discharge lawn mowers, cutting
in a counter-clockwise di rec tion, start-
ing at the outside of the area to be cut,
spreads grass clip pings more evenly
and puts less load on the engine. To
keep clip pings off of walkways, fl ower
beds, etc., make the fi rst cuts in a clock-
wise direction.
• Pores in cloth grass catchers can be-
come fi lled with dirt and dust with use
and catchers will collect less grass. To
prevent this, regularly hose catcher off
with water and let dry before using.
• Keep top of engine around starter clear
and clean of grass clippings and chaff.
This will help engine air fl ow and extend
engine life.
MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT
: For best performance,
keep mower housing free of built-up
grass and trash. See “CLEANING” in the
Maintenance section of this manual.
• The special mulching blade will recut
the grass clip pings many times and
reduce them in size so that as they fall
onto the lawn they will disperse into
the grass and not be noticed. Also, the
mulched grass will bio de grade quick ly
to provide nu tri ents for the lawn. Always
mulch with your highest engine (blade)
speed as this will provide the best recut-
ting action of the blades.
• Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet.
Wet grass tends to form clumps and
in ter feres with the mulch ing action. The
best time to mow your lawn is the early
afternoon. At this time the grass has
dried, yet the newly cut area will not be
exposed to direct sunlight.
Engine
oil cap
Gasoline
fi ller cap
Primer
TO STOP ENGINE
• To stop engine, release operator pres-
ence con trol bar.
TO START ENGINE
NOTE:
Due to protective coatings on the
engine, a small amount of smoke may be
present during the initial use of the prod-
uct and should be considered normal.
1. To start a cold engine, push primer
three (3) times before trying to start.
Use a fi rm push. This step is not usually
necessary when starting an engine
which has already run for a few minutes.
2. Hold operator presence control bar
down to the han dle and pull starter
handle quickly. Do not allow starter rope
to snap back.
NOTE
: In cooler weather it may be necessary
to repeat priming steps. In warmer weather
over priming may cause fl ooding and engine
will not start. If you do fl ood engine, wait a
few minutes before attempting to start and
do not repeat priming steps.