GB - 17
Operator Presence Control
(988153, 54, 55)
The operator presence control lever must be
depressed to operate the PTO. When the
speed control levers are in forward position,
the parking brake is off, or the PTO is
engaged, releasing the operator presence
control lever stops the engine.
NOTE:
Moving the speed control levers out of
neutral with the parking brake engaged will
shut down the engine. PTO must be off and
parking brake must be on to keep engine
running when operator presence control is
released.
Test Parking Brake
Stop the unit on a maximum 15° slope. Stop
the engine and engage the parking brake.
Result:
Parking brake must hold the unit
stationary. If the unit moves more than 24-In
(61 cm) in one hour, brake needs to be
adjusted.
STARTING ENGINE
(988156, 57, 58, 59)
1. Adjust the safety bar halfway back and
tighten the left side lever for moderate
mowing speed.
2. Engage parking brake.
3. Move PTO/clutch switch to OFF
position.
4. Move throttle lever to half-speed
position.
(988153, 54, 55)
NOTE:
The engine will not start unless the
speed control levers are in neutral, the
parking brake is On and the Power Take Off
(PTO) is Off.
1. Engage parking brake.
2. Lock the steering lever latches in
neutral.
3. Put speed control levers in neutral.
4. Move PTO switch to Off.
5. Move throttle lever to half-speed
position.
Recoil Start (988153, 56)
6. If engine is cold, adjust choke as
necessary.
7. Turn ignition switch to RUN position.
8. Grasp recoil starter handle and pull rope
out slowly until it pulls harder. This is the
compression stroke.
9. Let the rope rewind slowly.
10. Pull rope with rapid continuous full arm
stroke to start engine. Allow rope to
rewind slowly.
IMPORTANT:
DO NOT let starter handle
snap against engine.
11. Repeat until engine starts. (If engine
does not start, refer to Engine Manual.)
12. After engine starts, adjust choke as
needed. Allow engine to warm and run
smoothly before operating unit.
Electric Start (988154, 55, 57, 58, 59)
13. Put ignition key in the switch and turn it
to START position.
IMPORTANT:
DO NOT operate starter motor
more than 15 seconds per minute, as
overheating and damage can occur. If engine
will not start, refer to
Troubleshooting
or
Engine Manual.
14. When engine starts, release the key to
RUN position.
15. After engine starts, let engine run at half-
speed position for several minutes.
Open choke setting as the engine
warms up so it runs smoothly before
operating unit.
IMPORTANT:
Excessive engine idling can
cause engine overheating and carbon build-
up leading to engine damage and poor
performance.
PT
O
P
ARKING BRAKE
SPEED CO
NT
RO
L
LEVERS IN NEUTRAL
KE
Y
O
PERA
T
OR PRESENCE
C
O
NTROL
ENG
INE
A
Off
On
No
On
Off
Off
B
Off
Off
Yes
On
Off
Off
C
On
On
Yes
On
Off
Off
D
Off
On
No
On
On
Off
CAUTION:
Avoid injury! Engine
exhaust fumes contain carbon
monoxide and can cause serious
illness or death.
Move the vehicle to an outside area
before running the engine.
Do not run engine in an enclosed
area without adequate ventilation.
•
Connect a pipe extension to
the engine exhaust pipe to
direct the exhaust fumes out
of the area.
•
Allow fresh outside air into
the work area to clear the
exhaust fumes out.
