9
SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER
WARNING:
Keep hands and feet away
from the chute area on cutting deck. The
blade will be rotating whenever the engine is
running.
Be sure no one other than the operator is
standing near the lawn mower while starting
the engine or operating the mower.
Never run engine indoors or in enclosed,
poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust
contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and
deadly gas.
Gas and Oil Fill-Up
•
Service the mower engine with gasoline and oil
following instructions in the engine manual. If your
mower was shipped with oil in the engine, fill up the
required amount of gasoline only. Always make
sure there is adequate oil in the engine before
starting the engine. Fill up as necessary.
WARNING:
Never fill fuel tank indoors,
with engine running or until the engine has
been allowed to cool for at least two minutes
after running.
Adjusting Cutting Height
•
Your mower was shipped at the highest cutting
height. For best results in mowing, keep the cutting
height position high until it is determined which
height is best for your lawn.
•
Refer to height adjustments section of this manual
on page 11 for instruction on how to adjust the
cutting height and the handle height.
Before Starting
•
Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain
the metal cap on the end of the spark plug wire
(inside the rubber boot) is fastened securely over
the metal tip on the spark plug.
First Time Starting Engine
NOTE:
Use recoil starter rope to start engine for the
very first time. The mower is shipped with the safety key
in the locked position and the self starter in the de-
energized mode, follow instructions as follows.
1.
Place lawn mower on a level surface outdoors.
2.
Remove clear plastic packaging under fuel cap.
3.
Check oil level.
4.
Add fuel.
5.
Open shut off valve (if equipped) 1/4 turn.
6.
Push spark plug wire firmly on spark plug.
7.
Turn safety key 1/4 turn clockwise to RUN position.
8.
Firmly push primer bulb 3 times.
9.
While standing in the operating position, depress
the starter control button fully with the thumb of
your right hand.
10. Using your left hand, pull the control handle all the
way toward the upper handle. See Figure 7.
11. Release the button.
12. Grasp the recoil rope starter handle with your right
hand and slowly pull towards you until you feel a
slight resistance, then pull firmly until your arm is
fully extended.
13. If engine does not start by the second pull, repeat
steps 8, 9, 10,11 and 12.
Second Time Starting Engine
NOTE:
Follow these instructions if the self starter is
already in the energized mode.
WARNING:
NEVER assume starter is in
the de-energized mode, even if the key is in
the locked position and/or removed from the
engine. ALWAYS de-energize starter prior to
performing any maintenance or service to the
engine and/or mower. Follow instructions on
the engine and/or machine to de-energize
starter.
Figure 7
1.
Check oil level and add fuel, if necessary.
2.
Open shut off valve (if equipped) 1/4 turn.
3.
Turn safety key 1/4 turn clockwise to RUN position.
4.
Firmly push primer bulb 3 times (For a cold engine
only!).
5.
While standing at upper handle, depress the starter
control button with the thumb of your right hand.
6.
Using your left hand, pull the blade control handle
all the way toward the upper handle. See Figure 7.
Starter will de-energize and engine will start.
(
NOTE:
If engine does not start, release the blade
control handle and follow steps 8, 9, 10,11 and 12
in the “First Time Starting Engine” instructions.)
Starter Control
Button
Blade Control
Handle
