Not
for
Reproduction
15
en
WARNING
Engines give off carbon monoxide, an odorless,
colorless, poison gas.
Breathing carbon monoxide can cause nausea,
fainting, or death.
Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or death.
• Start and run engine outdoors.
• Do not start or run engine in enclosed area, even if
doors or windows are open.
Starting the Engine
WARNING
Fuel and its vapors are extremely flammable and
explosive.
Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or
death.
When Starting Engine
• Ensure that spark plug, muffler, fuel cap, and air
cleaner (if equipped) are in place and secured.
• Do not crank engine with spark plug removed.
• If engine floods, set choke (if equipped) to OPEN/RUN
position, move throttle (if equipped) to FAST position
and crank until engine starts.
1. While sitting in the operator’s seat, make sure the PTO
switch is disengaged and the ground speed levers are
locked in the START/PARK position.
NOTE:
The parking brake is automatically engaged
when the ground speed levers are locked in the START/
PARK position.
2. Set the engine speed control past the FAST position to
the CHOKE position.
NOTE:
A warm engine does not require choking.
NOTE:
Some engines are equipped with a separate
choke control.
NOTE:
Some engines are equipped with a ReadyStart
®
feature, and do not feature a choke.
3. Insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it to
START.
4. After the engine starts, turn off the choke (if equipped),
and warm up the engine by running it for at least a min-
ute before engaging the PTO switch or driving the rider.
5. After warming the engine, ALWAYS operate the rider at
FULL ENGINE SPEED when mowing.
In the event of an emergency the engine can be
stopped by simply turning the ignition switch to STOP.
Use this method only in emergency situations. For normal
engine shut down follow the procedure given in
Stopping
the Rider and Engine
.
Stopping the Rider and Engine
1. Return the ground speed levers to the middle (or
neutral
‘N’
) position to stop rider movement. Pivot the levers out-
ward to lock them in the START/PARK position.
NOTE:
Moving the ground speed levers to the START/
PARK position automatically engages the parking brake.
2. Disengage the PTO by pushing down on the PTO
switch.
3. Move the engine speed control to the SLOW position
and turn the ignition switch to OFF. Remove the key.
Mowing
1. Make sure the PTO switch is disengaged, the ground
speed levers are locked in their START/PARK positions,
and the operator is in the seat.
2. Start the engine (see
Starting the Engine
).
3. Set the mower cutting height (see
Cutting Height Ad-
justment
).
4. Set the engine speed control to FAST.
5. Engage the PTO by pulling up on the switch.
6. Pivot the ground speed levers in from the START/PARK
position to the neutral ‘N’ position.
7. Begin mowing. See
Operator Safety
for tips on safe
mowing practices.
8. When finished, shut off the PTO.
9. Stop the engine (see
Stopping the Rider and Engine
).
