Operation
4
Section
16
BEFORE OPERATION
PRE-START CHECKLIST
Perform the following checks before each
use of the unit:
✔
Review Section 1: Safety, and Section
3: Features and Controls.
✔
Inspect the operating area. Watch for
hidden obstacles, such as gullies or
covered posts, holes, and other hidden
obstructions. Remember, tall grass or
vegetation can hide hazards.
✔
Connect the spark plug wire.
✔
Disengage the cutter bar lever.
✔
Lock the wheel drive levers into the
disengaged position (Fig. 4-2).
✔
Check the unit for loose or missing
parts and hardware.
✔
Check control rod adjustment before
each use and adjust as needed (see
Section 2: Assembly.
✔
Check tire pressure. Inflate both tires
equally (10-17 psi / 68.5-117 KPa).
✔
Check the amount of gasoline in the
fuel tank.
✔
Check that the shoes are set to the
proper cutting height for the terrain.
✔
Remove the plastic blade guard just
before starting engine.
✔
Before starting the engine, check the
engine oil level (see Section 2:
Assembly.
✔
Perform the operator presence control
(OPC) system test after starting unit.
FILL THE FUEL TANK
GASOLINE IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE
AND ITS VAPORS ARE EXPLOSIVE.
TO HELP PREVENT PERSONAL
INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE:
• Check the fuel level in the fuel tank
before starting the engine.
• Never fill fuel tank indoors. Do not add
gasoline to the tank with the engine
running, or when the engine is hot.
Allow the engine to cool for several
minutes before filling the fuel tank. Do
not overfill the tank.
• Re-install the fuel tank cap securely
after filling, and clean up any spilled
gasoline before starting the engine.
• Keep gasoline and its vapors away
from all sources of sparks and flame.
• Move unit away from gasoline fumes
before starting the engine.
Use clean, fresh unleaded regular automo-
tive gasoline. See engine manual for spe-
cific fuel octane information.
1. Unscrew the fuel tank cap (A, Fig. 4-1).
Add gasoline. Leave at least two inches of
space below the filler neck to allow room
for expansion.
2. Re-install the cap. Wipe up spilled
gasoline.
ADJUST THE SHOES
With the plastic blade guard installed on
the cutter bar, loosen the nuts securing
the U-bolts and adjust the shoes (A, Fig.
4-6) so the cutter bar clears ground clutter
such as gravel, broken glass and other
small, hard objects, which might damage
the cutter bar or blade. Adjust the shoes
equally, so the blade is level. Securely
tighten the U-bolts when the shoes are
adjusted.
STARTING THE ENGINE
• Always squeeze the wheel drive levers
up against the handlebar grips and
place the control rods into the thumb
latch slots (in the disengaged posi-
tion) before starting the engine.
• Always move the cutter bar lever to
the OFF position before starting the
engine.
• Do not operate the unit when children
or bystanders are in the operating
area.
• Never run the engine in an enclosed
area. Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide, a deadly poison that is
odorless, colorless and tasteless. Do
not operate the equipment near build-
ings, windows, or air conditioners.
Before starting the engine, place the unit
on level ground and check the oil level
(see instructions for adding oil in the
“Assembly” Section).
TO START THE ENGINE:
1. Connect the spark plug wire to the
spark plug (if necessary).
2. Move the cutter bar lever to the OFF
position (Fig. 4-1) with your foot. Remove
the plastic blade guard. Stand directly
behind the unit in the operator position.
DANGER
DANGER
Cutter Bar Off
On
A
Fig. 4-1
B
Before operating your machine, carefully
read and understand all safety (Section
1), controls (Section 3) and operating
instructions (Section 4) in this Manual,
in the separate Engine Owner’s Manual,
and on the decals on the machine. Keep
the blade guard in place on the cutter bar
when the unit is not in use.
Failure to follow these instructions can
result in serious personal injury or prop-
erty damage.
WARNING
