•
On the side of the mower deck, lift the
hinged mulching plug. See Figure 15.
•
Slide the two hooks on the side discharge
deflector under the hinge pin on the hinged
mulching plug assembly.
•
Lower the hinged mulching plug.
NOTE:
Do not remove the hinged mulch-
ing plug at any time, even when you are
not mulching.
WARNING: All mowers are equipped
with a rear protective guard. The guard
helps eliminate projectiles thrown by
the blade from injuring the operator.
DO NOT REMOVE THIS GUARD.
CONTROLS
WARNING: Be familiar with all con-
trols and their proper operation.
Know how to stop the machine and
disengage them quickly.
Safety Key
The safety key is located on the engine. The
safety key is a safety device used to activate
and deactivate the self starter sys-
tem. The self starter system will not
work without the key in it’s proper
position. See engine manual for
further information pertaining to the safety
key.
NOTE: The safety key must be in the
run position to start the mower for both
systems, either the self starter or recoil
starter.
Blade Control Handle
WARNING: The blade control han-
dle is a safety device. Never at-
tempt to bypass its operations.
Doing so, may result in personal in-
jury through contact with the rotat-
ing blade. The blade rotates when-
ever the engine is running and
when the self starter is de-ener-
gized.
The blade control handle is located on the
upper handle of the mower. See Figure 16.
The blade control handle and starter control
button must be depressed in order to oper-
ate the unit. Release the blade control
handle to stop the engine and blade and to
energize the self starter.
Recoil Starter
The recoil starter handle is attached to the
upper handle. See Figure 4. The recoil
starter is used to start the engine when the
self starter is in the de-energized mode.
Start Control Button
The start control button is located on the up-
per left side of the handle. See Figure 16.
The start control button must be depressed
fully while pulling the blade control handle
toward upper handle for the engine to start.
The starter control button will automatically
return to the off/ up position once the blade
control handle is released.
NOTE:
The starter button must be de-
presses to start the engine with either
the self starter or recoil starting system.
12
Figure 14-
For Models with 14" rear wheels.
Hang Bag Here
Rear
Discharge Door
Figure 15
Hinged Mulching Plug
Side
Chute
Deflector
Figure 16
Blade
Control
Handle
Starter
Control
Button