6
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
6. Parking Brake:
The mechanical disc brake is activated by the
lever in the foot platform area. Press down on the
lever to engage the park brake, and lift up the
lever to release.
7. Hour Meter and Tachometer (optional):
Located at the upper left edge of the control panel.
When the machine is running the tachometer
displays engine rpm. When the machine is off it
displays time of operation.
B. Initial Adjustments
1. Disconnect the spark plug wire.
2. Check the tire pressure. Drive wheels should be
inflated to 15 psi. Front wheels (unless foam-filled)
should be inflated to 15 psi. Note: New tires are
overinflated in order to properly seat the bead to
the rim.
3. Check that all nuts, bolts and screws are tight.
4. The tension of the transaxle drive belt should be
adjusted so that a five pound pull between the
engine traction drive pulley and the pump drive
pulley opposite the idler pulley deflects the belt
about 3/16”.
5. The long speed control cables which connect to
the pump control levers should initially be adjusted
so that when the ground speed control levers are
in neutral, and the speed levers are relesed from
the neutral position, the machine stands still with
the engine running. If the machine starts to creep
forward or to the rear in this situation, then the
speed control cable must be adjusted. Loosen the
nut on the cable and adjust until the drive wheel
stops moving. Then retighten the nut.
6. Lubricate all fittings listed in the maintenance
section.
C. Break-In and Operation
1. Make certain you thoroughly understand all of the
safety precautions before you attempt to operate
this machine.
2. Check the engine oil level. Fill to the proper level
with 10W40 engine oil rated for service SE or SF.
3. Move the machine outdoors. Check the engine
gasoline level. When filling the tank, stop when the
gasoline reaches one inch from the top. This
space must be left for expansion. Use fresh,
clean, unleaded, regular gasoline.
4. Move the machine to a “test area” where you can
operate it for about a half an hour without being
disturbed.
5. To start the engine:
a. Make sure that the ground speed control levers are in
the neutral position.
b. Connect the spark plug wire.
c.
Open the fuel shutoff valve.
d. Move the throttle lever to the “Choke” position.
e. Pull the recoil handle.
f.
Set the throttle at 50% of full engine RPM and allow
the engine to warm up. Then, adjust the throttle to
75% of full engine RPM.
Set the ground speed control levers at no more
than one third full speed until you are fully
familiar with the operation of the machine.
CAUTION
6. Move the ground speed control lever forward to
about one third of full speed.
7. To turn the machine, move the control handle to
the side opposite of the way you want to turn, I.E.,
move the control handle left and the machine
turns right. Move the control handle right, and the
machine turns left.
8.
To stop the mower’s forward motion, release the
forward and reverse speed control levers
.
Do not spread at full speed. Set the ground speed
control levers at full speed for transport only.
WARNING
9. Before moving into reverse, the machine’s forward
moton should be completely stopped.
10. Practice operating the machine and as you gain
confidence, move the ground speed selector
levers forward to two thirds full speed. Operate the
machine until you are comfortable and confident
with the controls.
11. To stop and shut off the machine, release both
speed control levers, move the engine throttle
lever to “off” to stop the engine, close the fuel
shutoff valve, and disconnect the spark plug wire.
12. After the first full day of use, all nuts, bolts and
screws should be rechecked for proper tightness
and the belts should be rechecked for proper
tension.