Not for
Reproduction
23
23
Excessive towed loads can cause loss of traction and loss of
control on slopes. Reduce towed weight when operating on
slopes. The surface being driven on greatly impacts traction
and stability. Wet or slippery surfaces can greatly reduce
traction and the ability to stop or turn. Carefully evaluate
the surface conditions before operating the unit and trailer,
and never operate on slopes greater than 10°. See SLOPE
OPERATION and TOWED EQUIPMENT in the safety section
of this manual for additional safety information.
Storage
WARNING
Fuel and its vapors are extremely flammable and
explosive.
Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or death.
• Never store the unit, with gasoline in the engine or
the fuel tank, in a heated shelter or in an enclosed,
poorly ventilated enclosures. Gasoline fumes may
reach an open flame, spark or pilot light (such as a
furnace, water heater, clothes dryer, etc.) and cause
and explosion.
• Handle gasoline carefully. It is highly flammable and
careless use could result in serious fire damage to your
person or property.
• Drain fuel into an approved container outdoors away
from open flame or sparks.
Temporary Storage (30 Days or Less):
Remember, the fuel tank will still contain some gasoline, so
never store the unit indoors or in any other area where fuel
vapor could travel to any ignition source. Fuel vapor is also
toxic if inhaled, so never store the unit in any structure used
for human or animal habitation.
Here is a checklist of things to do when storing your unit
temporarily or in between uses:
• Keep the unit in an area away from where children
may come into contact with it. If there’s any chance of
unauthorized use, remove the spark plug(s) and put in a
safe place. Be sure the spark plug opening is protected
from foreign objects with a suitable cover.
• If the unit can’t be stored on a reasonable level surface,
chock the wheels.
• Clean all grass and dirt from the mower.
Long Term Storage (Longer Than 30 Days)
Before you store your unit for the off-season, read the
Maintenance and Storage instructions in the Safety Rules
section, then perform the following steps:
• Drain crankcase oil while engine is hot and refill with a
grade of oil that will be required when unit is used again.
• Prepare the mower deck for storage as follows:
1. Remove mower deck from the unit.
2. Clean underside of mower deck.
3. Coat all bare metal surfaces with paint or light coat of oil
to prevent rusting.
• Clean external surfaces and engine.
• Prepare engine for storage. See engine operator’s
manual.
• Clean any dirt or grass from cylinder head cooling fins,
engine housing and air cleaner element.
• Cover air cleaner and exhaust outlet tightly with plastic or
other waterproof material to keep out moisture, dirt and
insects.
• Completely grease and oil unit as outlined in the
Lubrication section.
• Clean up unit and apply paint or rust preventative to any
areas where paint is chipped or damaged.
Maintenance Schedule
The following schedule should be followed for normal care
of your unit. You will need to keep a record of your operating
time. Determining operating time is easily accomplished by
observing the hour meter.
If your unit is equipped with a dual function hour meter that
displays both engine hours and PTO hours, the maintenance
intervals are based on the engine hours as displayed by the
hour meter.
UNIT MAINTENANCE
Before Each Use
Check Safety Interlock System
Check Rider Brakes
Check Rider / Mower for Loose Hardware
Check Hydraulic Oil Level
Every 25 Hours
Clean Deck & Check/Replace Mower Blades*
Lubricate Rider & Mower*
Check Tire Pressures
Every 100 Hours
Check Mower Blade Stopping Time
Clean Battery & Cables
Initial Change of Hydraulic Oil
