10
SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER
WARNING:
Read, understand, and follow
all instructions and warnings on the machine
and in this manual before operating.
Gas & Oil Fill-Up
•
Check oil level and add oil if necessary. Follow
relevant instructions in the engine manual for this.
•
Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in
the engine manual.
WARNING:
Use extreme care when
handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive.
Never fuel the machine indoors or while the
engine is hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes,
cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.
Before Starting Mower
•
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.
Starting Engine
WARNING:
Be sure no one other than the
operator is standing near the lawn mower
while starting engine or operating mower.
Never run engine indoors or in enclosed,
poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust
contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and
deadly gas. Keep hands, feet, hair and loose
clothing away from any moving parts on
engine and lawn mower. When starting the
unit for the first time, face the mower against
a solid object such as wall, fence, etc. Start
the unit and if it shows any signs of motion
while the drive clutch control is still engaged,
shut the engine off immediately.
•
Push primer three times. Wait about two seconds
between each push. In cold weather around 55
o
F
or below, prime five times. Do not prime to restart a
warm engine after a short shutdown.
•
Standing behind the mower, depress the blade
control handle and hold it against the upper handle.
•
Grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly until
engine reaches the start of compression cycle
(rope will pull slightly harder at this point). Let the
rope rewind slowly. Pull rope with a rapid,
continuous, full arm stroke. Keeping a firm grip on
the starter handle, let the rope rewind slowly.
Stopping Engine
•
Release blade control handle to stop the engine
and the blade.
•
Disconnect spark plug wire and move away from
spark plug to prevent accidental starting.
Throttle Speed
Your lawn mower engine is equipped with a constant
speed throttle, which is set at full throttle for best
performance.
Using Your Lawn Mower
WARNING:
Never operate the mower
unless the hooks on the grasscatcher are
seated in the slots on the handle bracket
assemblies, and the rear discharge door rests
firmly against the top of the grasscatcher.
•
You can use your mower as a mulching mower or a
rear bagger.
•
Do not operate the mower without the rear
mulching baffle or the grasscatcher bag properly
installed.
•
Be sure that the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire,
or other objects which could damage lawn mower
or engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown
by the mower in any direction and cause serious
personal injury to the operator and others.
•
For best results, do not cut wet grass because it
tends to stick to the underside of the mower,
preventing proper discharge of grass clippings, and
possibly causing you to slip and fall. New grass,
thick grass or wet grass may require a narrower cut.
•
For a healthy lawn, always cut off one-third or less
of the total length of the grass. Lawn should be
trimmed in fall as long as there is growth.
WARNING:
If you strike a foreign object,
stop the engine. Remove spark plug wire from
spark plug, thoroughly inspect the mower for
any damage. Repair damage before
restarting and operating the mower. Extensive
vibration of the mower during operation is an
indication of damage. .
NOTE: For shipping purposes your mower is set with
the wheels in a low cutting height position. For best
results, raise the cutting position until you have
determined which height is best for your lawn.