8
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Figure 2 View Looking Under The Fuel Tank
6. Blade Clutch (Manual and Electric):
Located on the left handle below the control panel. This
is an over-center belt clutch. When the handle is pushed
forward it snaps to rest and forces the idler pulley into
the blade drive belt causing the blades to rotate. Pull
back the handle and the pressure on the belt is relieved
and the blades stop rotating.
Electric:
Located on the
left side of the control panel, this is an on/off toggle
switch that controls the electric blade clutch which
supplies power to the cutting blades. See Handle
Assembly with Electric Blade Clutch in Parts List.
7. Steering Brake Levers:
There is a right-hand lever located beneath the outer
end of the right handle and a left-hand lever located
beneath the outer end of the left handle. Each lever
operates independently and when squeezed against
spring tension, lifts the idler pulley from applying
pressure to the traction drive belt on the right or left side
and applies the right or left side brake. When the levers
are released, the mower will move ahead in a straight
line if the engine is running and the transmission is
engaged in a forward gear. Steering is accomplished by
squeezing the steering/brake lever on the side to which
the turn is to be made.
8. Neutral Latch Levers:
Pivoted inside each handle there is a neutral latch lever
which works with each of the steering/brake levers.
When either of the steering/brake levers is squeezed
and its neutral latch lever pushed forward and engaged
in the neutral lock position, the steering/brake lever is
held in a position where the idler pulley is not applying
pressure to the traction drive belt and the brake is not
quite engaged. The neutral latch levers should be
engaged in the neutral lock position before starting the
engine.
9. Operator Presence Levers:
Located above the outer ends of the right and left
handles, these levers must be held down on the handles
against spring pressure in order to shift the transmission
shift lever into gear or engage the blade clutch.
Releasing the operator presence levers with either the
transmission shift lever in gear or the blade clutch
engaged will shut off the engine.
B. Initial Adjustments
1.
Disconnect the spark plug wire.
2.
Check the tire pressure. Drive Wheels should be inflated
to 25 psi. Caster Wheels should be inflated to 15 psi.
Note: New tires are overinflated in order to properly seat
the bead to the rim.
3.
Check that all nuts, bolts and screws are tight.
4.
Check the tension of the deck drive belts:
a. Remove the deck cover shield and engage the
blade clutch.
b. Make sure the belts clear the belt guides by 1/8" to
1/4".
c. The tension of the deck drive belts should be
adjusted so that a ten-pound pull between two
pulleys deflects each belt about 1/2". Do not
overtighten these belts. The blade clutch should
engage with only moderate force.
d. Replace the deck cover shield and disengage the
blade clutch.
5.
The tension of the transmission drive belt should be
adjusted so that a five-pound pull between the engine
traction drive pulley and the transmission drive pulley
deflects the belt about 3/16".
6.
The two drive wheel belts are self-adjusting.
7.
The steering control rods on each side of the handle
assembly should initially be adjusted so that there is
about a 1/4" space between the rod and the bottom of
the slot in the neutral latch lever with the latch in the
drive position. To make this adjustment, remove the
large hairpin from the swivel joint at the bottom of each
steering control rod and thread the swivel joint up or
down the rod as needed.
8.
The brake rods (above each drive wheel) should be
adjusted so that when the steering/brake levers are
squeezed and the mower is pulled backward, the brakes
lock the drive wheels. The machine should roll freely
when the neutral latch lever is in the neutral lock
position. To adjust the brake rods, remove the large
hairpin from the swivel joint at the top of each brake rod
and thread the swivel joint up or down the rod as
needed.
9.
Adjusting the cutting height: The mower is shipped with
the cutting height set at 3 inches ±1/4 inch depending
on the air pressure in the tires. To change the cutting
height, blade spacers and/or caster spacers must be
moved according to the table on page 6.
10. Lubricate all fittings listed in the maintenance section.
C. Break-In and Operation:
1.
Make certain you thoroughly understand all of the safety
precautions before you attempt to operate this machine.
2.
Check the engine oil level. Fill to the proper level with
10W-40 engine oil rated for service SE or SF.
2. Fuel Shutoff Valve
5. Transmission Shift Lever
