10
SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER
NOTE:
For shipping purposes your mower is set with
the wheels in a low cutting height position. For best
results, raise the cutting position until it is determined
which height is best for your lawn. See the Adjustment
Section for details.
Gas & Oil Fill-Up
•
Check oil level and add oil if necessary. Follow
relevant instructions in the engine manual for this.
•
Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in
the engine manual.
Before Starting Mower
•
Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain
the metal cap on the end of the spark plug wire
(inside the rubber boot) is fastened securely over
the metal tip on the spark plug.
•
Check for proper drive clutch operation using the
neutral adjustment test described below.
Neutral Adjustment Test
To perform the neutral adjustment test, answer the
following questions.
•
With the drive clutch control released, push mower
forward and pull it backward. Does it move freely?
•
Squeeze the drive clutch control and pull the
mower backward. Do the rear wheels lock?
•
Is the drive clutch control cable free of kinks or
sharp bends?
•
If you answered “yes” to all three questions, your
mower passed the test and you can start your
mower.
•
If you answered “no” to any of the three questions,
you will have to adjust the drive clutch control as
instructed in the ADJUSTMENT SECTION.
Starting Engine
•
Push primer once. Do not prime to restart a warm
engine after a short shutdown.
•
Standing behind the mower, depress the blade
control handle and hold it against the upper handle.
•
Recoil Start
: Grasp starter handle and pull rope
out slowly until engine reaches start of compression
cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this point). Let
the rope rewind slowly. Pull rope with a rapid,
continuous, full arm stroke. Keeping a firm grip on
the starter handle, let the rope rewind slowly.
Stopping Engine
•
Release blade control handle to stop the engine
and the blade.
•
Disconnect spark plug wire and move away from
spark plug to prevent accidental starting.
Using Your Lawn Mower
•
Do not
operate the mower without any one of the
mulching baffle, discharge chute or grass catcher
properly installed.
•
For best results, do not cut wet grass.
It may stick to
the underside of the mower, preventing proper
discharge of grass clippings, and could cause you
WARNING:
Read, understand, and follow all
instructions and warnings on the machine and
in this manual before operating.
WARNING:
Use extreme care when
handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never
fuel the machine indoors or while the engine is
hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars,
pipes and other sources of ignition.
WARNING:
Be sure no one other than the
operator is standing near the lawn mower while
starting engine or operating mower.
WARNING:
Never run engine indoors or in
enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine
exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an
odorless and deadly gas.
WARNING:
Keep hands, feet, hair and
loose clothing away from any moving parts on
engine and lawn mower.
WARNING:
When starting the unit for the
first time, face the mower against a wall or a
fence. Start the unit and if it shows any signs of
motion while the drive clutch control is still
disengaged, shut engine off immediately.
WARNING:
Never operate the mower
unless the hooks on the grasscatcher are
seated in the slots on the handle bracket
assemblies, and the rear discharge door rests
firmly against the top of the grasscatcher.
WARNING:
Be sure that the lawn is clear of
stones, sticks, wire, or other objects which
could damage lawn mower or engine. Such
objects could be accidently thrown by the
mower in any direction and cause serious
personal injury to the operator and others.
Summary of Contents for 970 Series
Page 22: ...22 NOTES ...
Page 35: ...35 ...
