page 8
WARNING
Operating Instructions
If you are not completely familiar with the Safety Instruction Manual
read it now before proceeding with the operation of the mower.
REMEMBER THERE ARE CERTAIN PRECAUTIONS LISTED IN
THAT SECTION THAT YOU MUST NOW TAKE BEFORE START-
ING THE MOWER.
Inspect Mower Before Each Use:
Inspection of Mower:
Do not use the mower if
any parts are not maintained in good operating
condition. Examine the moving parts prior to
each use. Look for excessive wear, bald drive
tires or worn out front tires (normally smooth),
cracks in parts, loose or missing bolts, cotter,
linchpin or “hair” pins and replace before operat-
ing the mower. Make sure all safety equipment
provided with the mower is in good operating
order, including all warning decals and the opera-
tor-presence device which stops the engine and
blades when the foot-operated Operator Pres-
ence Control (OPC) switch is released. To test
the OPC, follow the instructions further down in
this section of this manual. Inspect the two anti-tip
rollers and their respective bolts at the rear of the
mower for tightness and proper operation. En-
sure that all parts of the hand-operated transmis-
sion control system are tight and secure. This is
to reduce the possibility that the mower could
have a loss of control or safety.
Basic Operation:
The following procedures are
to guide you through the basic operation of the
mower. You should be a qualified mower opera-
tor according to the safety section of this manual.
If this is your first time, this should only be done
with the assistance of your dealer on a level area.
You should go through each step, in the order
indicated, every time you start the mower.
How to start the mower:
Before starting the engine
•
Make sure the control levers are in the exact
neutral position
•
Apply the parking brake if it is not already
set.
•
Turn OFF the blade engaging switch if it is
on.
Starting the engine
Recoil start:
•
Turn the ignition key to the “Run” position
•
Check to see if the equipment has a separate
choke knob or whether it is incorporated into
the throttle control. Start the engine according
to the engine manufacturer’s recommenda-
tion, see engine manual, keeping in mind that
various models use different choke controls.
•
Immediately step onto the foot platform after the
engine is running smoothly.
Electric Start:
•
Start the engine according to the engine manu-
facturer’s recommendation, see engine
manual. You will need to start the engine by
turning the key on the mower’s instrument
panel. Do not engage the starter for more
than 10 seconds at a time. This may over-
heat the starter and the wiring systems. Wait
10 seconds between attempts. If the engine
does not start within ten tries or stalls fre-
quently take the mower in for service.
After starting the engine according to the engine
manufacturer’s recommendation, let the engine
run for several minutes to get the hydraulic fluid
circulating through the pumps, etc. and to allow
the engine to warm up. Do not over-rev a cold
engine.
Be Aware Of Unusual Noises or Ir-
regular Operation
As you drive the mower listen for any unusual
noises and test for irregular operation and adjust
or service as necessary.
How To Drive The Mower:
While standing on the foot platform, increase the
engine speed about a fourth of the way from idle.
Release the parking brake. Now try moving the
hand control levers, one at a time, very slightly,
forward and backward. Check to see if the
wheels move forward and backward according to
position of the levers. (If not, service the hand
control system.) If the wheels stop when the hand
controls are in the neutral position the parking
