Assembly Instructions
23
PREOPERATING CHECKLIST
Before operating the mower for the first time, and as
a routine before daily operations, it is important to
make sure the mower is properly prepared and
ready for operation. The following is a list of items
to be checked. (For a mower with frequent opera-
tion, some of these items will not need to be checked
every day, but the operator should be aware of the
condition of each.)
For proper fuel and lubricants refer to
Specifications.
FILL FUEL TANK
Raise the mower body and locate the fuel tank on
top of the engine.
Fill the fuel tank using clean, fresh automotive grade
unleaded
gasoline (87 octane rating minimum).
DANGER
Handle gasoline with care. Gasoline is
highly flammable and its vapors are explo
-
sive. Use safe refueling procedures:
•
DO NOT fill fuel tank with the engine run
-
ning.
•
If the engine is hot, allow to cool before
refueling.
•
Use an approved fuel container.
•
Fuel the mower outdoors.
•
DO NOT smoke while refueling.
•
Avoid spilling fuel; use a funnel or spout.
•
DO NOT overfill the fuel tank; fill up to
about 1 in. (25 mm) below the top of tank.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT
permit dirt or other foreign
matter to enter the fuel tank. Wipe dirt from around
the filler cap before removing. Use a clean fuel stor
-
age container and funnel.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT mix oil with gasoline.
Al-
ways use fresh, automotive grade unleaded gaso-
line.
DO NOT
use premium, white, or high-test gas-
oline.
DO NOT
use additives, such as carburetor
cleaners, deicers, or moisture removing agents.
DO
NOT
use gasoline blended with methyl alcohol.
CHECK ENGINE CRANKCASE OIL LEVEL
Check the engine crankcase oil level before use and
after each 5 hours
of continuous operation. Refer
to
LUBRICATION
for
Checking Engine Crankcase
Oil Level
in
Maintenance Instructions.
CHECK AND SERVICE ENGINE AIR CLEAN-
ER SYSTEM
•
Check air filter restriction gauge to make sure
the yellow indicator disk is in the safe operating
(green) range.
•
Check condition, cleanliness, and security of the
complete air filter element (clean air filter
every
100 hours
). For detailed procedures, refer to
CLEANING
the
Engine Air Cleaner System
in
Maintenance Instructions.
CHECK ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Check that the engine cooling air intake screen is
free of obstruction by grass clippings or debris and
clean if required. Also, cylinder head cooling fins
should be inspected and cleaned if any build-up of
debris is noted (remove cylinder head shroud to
clean).
Check performance of the cooling system by start-
ing the engine, holding a hand adjacent to the cylin-
der head, and feeling the cooling airflow.
DANGER
Make sure to keep hands clear of exhaust
pipe, muffler, and moving parts when
checking airflow.
CHECK GEAR AXLE OIL LEVEL (if equipped)
Refer to
Gear Axle Lubrication
in
Maintenance In
structions.
Summary of Contents for MS
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