Stanley 309311x692A, Instruction Book

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GB
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F–030601L
5. Push the clutch/brake pedal completely for-
ward.
6. Move the shift lever forward.
NOTE: When you mow in heavy grass or
mow with a bagger, put the shift lever in
the slowest speed.
7. Slowly release the clutch/brake pedal.
8. Move the throttle control to the FAST posi-
tion. If you need to go faster or slower, stop
the unit and move the shift lever to another
speed setting.
9. Make sure the level of cut is still correct.
After you mow a short distance, look at the
area that was cut. If the mower housing does
not cut level, see the instructions on “How To
Level The Mower Housing” in the Mainten-
ance section.
WARNING: For better control of the
unit, select a safe speed.
How To Operate On Hills
WARNING: Do not ride up or down
slopes that are too steep to back
straight up. Never ride the unit
across a slope.
1. Before you ride up or down a hill, move the
shift lever to the slowest speed.
2. Do not stop or change speed settings on a
hill. If you must stop, quickly push the clutch/
brake pedal forward and set the parking
brake.
3. To start again, make sure the shift lever is in
the slowest speed. Move the throttle control
to the SLOW position. Slowly release the
pedal.
4. If you must stop or start on a hill, always
have enough space for the unit to roll when
you release the brake and engage the clutch.
5. Be very careful when you change directions
on a hill. When on a slope or in a turn on a
hill, move the throttle control to the SLOW
position to help prevent an accident.
Before Starting The Engine
Check the oil
NOTE: The engine was shipped from the fac-
tory filled with oil. Check the level of the oil.
Add oil as needed. See the engine manufac-
turer’s instructions for the type of gasoline
and oil to use.
1. Make sure the unit is level.
NOTE: Do not check the level of the oil
while the engine runs.
2. Check the oil. Follow the procedure in the
engine manufacturer’s instructions.
3. If necessary, add oil until the oil reaches the
FULL mark on the dipstick. The quantity of oil
needed from ADD to FULL is shown on the
dipstick. Do not add too much oil.
Add Gasoline
WARNING: Always use a safety
gasoline container. Do not smoke
when adding gasoline to the fuel
tank. Do not add gasoline when you are
inside an enclosure. Before you add
gasoline, stop the engine and let the
engine cool for several minutes.
(Figure 12) Fill the fuel tank (1) to the FULL (2)
position with regular unleaded gasoline. Do not
use premium unleaded gasoline. Make sure the
gasoline is fresh and clean. Leaded gasoline will
increase deposits and shorten the life of the
valves.
How To Start The Engine
WARNING: The electrical system
has an operator presence system
that includes a sensor switch for
the seat. These components tell the
electrical system if the operator is sitting
on the seat. This system will stop the
engine when the operator leaves the seat if
the blade rotation control is engaged or if
the transmission is engaged. For your
protection, always make sure this system
operates correctly.
NOTE: The engine will not start unless you
depress the clutch/brake pedal or engage the
parking brake and move the blade rotation
control to the DISENGAGE position.
1. Push the clutch/brake brake pedal complete-
ly forward. Keep your foot on the pedal.
2. Move the shift lever to the neutral (N) posi-
tion.
3. Make sure the blade rotation control is in the
DISENGAGE position.
4. Move the throttle control completely forward
to the CHOKE or FAST position. Some mo-
dels have a separate choke knob. Pull the
choke knob to the full CHOKE position.
5. Turn the ignition key to the START position.
NOTE: If the engine does not start after
four or five tries, move the throttle control
to the FAST position. Again try to start the
engine. If the engine will not start, see the
TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART.
6. Slowly move the throttle control to the SLOW
position.
7. To start a hot engine, move the throttle con-
trol to a position between FAST and SLOW.
Mowing And Bagging Tips
1. For a lawn to look better, check the cutting
level of the mower housing. See “How To
Level The Mower Housing” in the Mainten-
ance section.
2. For the mower housing to cut level, make
sure the tires have the correct amount of air
pressure.
3. Every time you use the unit, check the blade.
If the blade is bent or damaged, immediately
replace the blade. Also, make sure the nut
for the blade is tight.
4. Keep the blade(s) sharpened. Worn blades
will cause the ends of the grass to turn
brown.
5. Do not cut or bag grass that is wet. Wet
grass will not discharge correctly. Let the
grass dry before cutting.
6. Use the left side of the mower housing to trim
near an object.
7. Discharge the cut grass onto the mowed
area. The result is a more even discharge of
cut grass.
8. When you mow large areas, start by turning
to the right so that the cut grass will dis-
charge away from shrubs, fences, driveways,
etc. After one or two rounds, mow in the op-
posite direction making left turns until fin-
ished.
9. If the grass is very high, cut two times to de-
crease the load on the engine. First cut with
the mower housing in the highest position
and then lower the mower housing for the
second cut.
10.For better engine performance and an even
discharge of the cut grass, always operate
the engine with the throttle in FAST position.
11. When you use a bagger, operate the engine
with the throttle in FAST position and the shift
lever in first or second gear.
12.For better cutting performance and a quality
cut, mow with the shift lever in one of the
slower speeds.
13.After each use, clean the bottom and top of
the mower housing for better performance.
Also, a clean mower housing will help pre-
vent a fire.
Mulching Tips
When you use a mulcher attachment, the grass
is cut into very small pieces. These small pieces
will quickly break down. Because the nutrients
are returned to the soil, the lawn will need less
fertilizer. To correctly mulch the grass, follow the
steps below.
1. Set the throttle in the FAST position. Operate
the mower at a slower ground speed. If
ground speed is too fast, the grass will not
have an even cut.
2. Keep a sharp edge on the blade. A blade that
is not sharp will cause the ends of the grass
to become brown.
3. Make sure the grass is dry. Wet grass is diffi-
cult to cut.
4. Set the height of the mower housing so that
only the top third of the grass is cut. If the
grass is too high, set the height of the mower
housing to the maximum height. Then, lower
the mower housing for the second cut. Also,
instead of using the full width of the mower
housing, mulch at half the width.
5. Clean the bottom of the mower housing.
Grass and other debris can keep the mower
from working correctly.
6. If the grass grows fast, mulch more often.
7. If an area needs improvement, mulch a sec-
ond time.