15
e.
Push the throttle control to a position a
third of the way between slow and fast.
f.
Insert the key in the ignition and start
switch and turn the switch to “On”.
g.
Gasoline Engine: If the engine is cold,
push the choke to the on position.
h.
Turn the ignition key in a clockwise direc-
tion to the “Start” position until the engine
starts.
Note:
Do not hold the key in the “Start”
position for more than 10 seconds or you may
damage the starter. If the engine does not start
in this time, wait about 30 seconds and try
again.
i.
Gasoline Engine: Once the engine starts,
push the choke on halfway and as the
engine warms, push the choke off all the
way.
4.
Operating the Mower:
Operating a zero-turn-
ing-radius mower is not like operating a trac-
tor-type riding mower. The zero-turning-radius
mower is much more maneuverable and
much less fatiguing to operate. However, get-
ting used to the fingertip control of the zero-
turning-radius mower takes some practice.
We strongly recommend that you locate a
“test area” where you can operate the mower
for about 30 minutes without being disturbed.
a. Get into the operator’s seat.
b.
Start the engine.
c.
Use the transport lever to raise the mowing
deck to the transport position. Make sure
the blade clutch switch is off.
d. After the engine has warmed, adjust the
throttle to the fast position.
e.
Release the parking brake.
f.
Fold in the steering levers to the operating
position.
WARNING:
When operating this mower forward, do not
allow the steering levers to return to the neu-
tral position on their own. Always maintain a
firm grip on the steering levers, operate them
smoothly and avoid any sudden movements of
the levers when starting or stopping.
g.
To go forward, move both steering levers
slightly forward and the mower will slowly
move forward. The farther you move the
levers forward the faster the mower will go
forward.
h.
To back up, move both steering levers
slightly backward and the mower will
slowly move backward. The farther you
move the levers backward the faster the
mower will go backward.
i.
To turn, pull the lever back on the side to
which you want to turn. The farther back
you pull the lever, the faster and more
sharply you will turn. Initially, you will have
to be careful to avoid turning to fast and
too far.
j.
After you have mastered operating the
mower, use the transport lever to lower the
mowing deck to the cutting position and
pull on the electric blade clutch switch to
start the blades rotating.
k.
Practice mowing in straight passes. When
you feel confident, slowly practice mowing
around obstacles such as trees.
5.
Parking the Mower:
a.
Push off the electric blade clutch switch.
b.
Use the Deck Lift Handle to raise the mow-
ing deck to the transport position.
c.
Drive the mower to the cleanup or storage
area.
d.
Move the throttle to slow.
e.
Place the steering levers in the neutral
position.
f.
Set the parking brake.
g.
Turn off the ignition switch and take the key
from the switch.
h.
Close the fuel shutoff valves.
MAINTENANCE AND
SERVICE
WARNING:
Disconnect the spark plug wires or remove the
key from the ignition to prevent the engine
from accidentally starting before performing
any maintenance on this mower.
A. Mower Deck
1.
Removing the Mower Deck:
a.
Apply the parking brake. Remove ignition
key and both spark plug caps.
b.
Lower the cutter deck to the ground. Cap-
ture the lift handle by placing the height of
cut clevis pin above the lift handle.
c.
Remove tension of the PTO belt by moving
the belt tensioning rod.
Note:
There is a certain amount of spring
tension due to the weight of the deck. When
removing the lift linkage from the deck the ten-
sion of the springs will go from the deck to the
lift handle. Not capturing the lift handle while
removing the lift linkage from the deck will
cause it to snap back.
