8
Stop the Engine When Not Mowing
If you need to leave the mower for any reason, even just to inspect the
lawn ahead, always stop the engine by releasing the blade control
lever.
Avoid Slopes
Avoid steep slopes of more than 20
°
.
Mow across slopes, not up and down. Be
careful when changing direction. Mowing
on a slope when the grass is damp or wet
could cause you to slip, fall, and lose
control of the mower. Never operate the
mower in wet grass.
NOTICE
Mowing on steep slopes can starve the
engine of oil, causing engine damage that
is not covered by the
DISTRIBUTOR’S
LIMITED WARRANTY
.
Keep all four wheels on the ground, and be careful to avoid losing
your footing and your control of the mower. Keep a firm grip on the
handlebar, and walk, never run, with the mower. Be very careful when
mowing uneven or rough ground. Do not mow near drop offs, ditches,
or embankments. You could lose your footing or balance.
If stuck, do not kick or shove the mower with your foot. Use the
handlebar to control the mower.
Avoid Obstacles
Gravel, loose stones, and landscaping material can be picked up by
the mower and thrown many feet with enough force to cause serious
personal injury and/or property damage. Never direct discharged
material toward anyone. Avoid discharging material against a wall or
obstruction. Material may ricochet back toward the operator. The best
way to prevent potential injury from thrown objects is to release the
blade control lever to stop the blades before reaching areas with
gravel, loose stones, or landscaping material.
Be careful when mowing over obstacles that stick up above the
surface of the lawn such as sprinkler heads, paving, edging, raised
tree roots, etc.
If the blade hits something, or if the mower starts to vibrate, stop the
engine immediately, disconnect the spark plug cap, and check for
damage (
). Striking objects may damage the blades, bend the
crankshaft, and/or break the mower deck or other components.
Vibration usually indicates serious trouble.
The
DISTRIBUTOR’S LIMITED WARRANTY
(
) does not
cover parts damaged by accidental impact collision.
Operating the Controls
Blade Control Lever
The blade control lever must be
pulled back against the
handlebar to start and run the
engine. The blades start to
rotate when the lever is pulled
back against the handlebar and
the recoil starter grip is pulled.
Continue to hold the lever fully
against the handlebar. This will
keep the engine and blades
rotating smoothly and prevent
premature wear to the flywheel
brake system.
Release the blade control lever to stop the engine and stop blade
rotation whenever you need to leave the mower.
Starting the Engine
The blades turn when you start the engine. Start the engine in a clear
or mowed area where the blades can turn freely.
1. Turn the fuel valve to the ON position (
2. Pull back on the blade control
lever and hold it against the
handlebar.
3. Pull the starter grip lightly until you
feel resistance, and then pull
briskly. Return the starter grip
gently.
To ensure easy restarting and
maximum performance from the Auto Choke System, allow the
engine to run for at least three minutes after starting a cold engine
before stopping the engine. This minimum run time will be longer if the
temperature is below 70 °F (21 °C).
Continue to hold the blade control lever against the handlebar; the
engine stops when the blade control lever is released.
Stopping the Engine
1. Release the blade control lever to stop the engine.
2. When you finish mowing, turn the fuel valve OFF.
3. If your mower will not be used for 3 to 4 weeks, we recommend
running the engine’s carburetor out of fuel. You can do this by
leaving the fuel valve OFF, restarting the engine and running it
until the engine stops. See “AVOIDING FUEL-RELATED
PROBLEMS” on
if you don’t plan to use your mower for
a month or more.
4. Clean your mower after each mowing; refer to “Cleaning” on
WARNING
A worn, cracked, or damaged blade can break, and pieces of
the damaged blade can become dangerous projectiles.
Blades thrown from the mower could seriously hurt or kill
someone.
Inspect the blades regularly (see
), and do not
operate the mower with a worn or damaged blade.
BLADE CONTROL LEVER
BLADE
CONTROL
LEVER
