15
CAUTION:
Alcohol blended fuels
(called gasohol or using ethanol or metha-
nol) can attract moisture which leads to
separation and for ma tion of acids during
storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel
system of an engine while in storage. To
avoid engine problems, the fuel system
should be emptied before stor age of 30
days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start
the engine and let it run until the fuel lines
and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel
next season. See Storage In struc tions for
additional information. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur.
TO START ENGINE
When starting the engine for the fi rst time
or if the engine has run out of fuel, it will
take extra cranking time to move fuel from
the tank to the engine.
1. Sit on seat in operating position,
depress clutch/brake pedal and set
parking brake.
2. Place gear shift lever in neutral (N)
position.
3. Move attachment clutch to dis en gaged
po si tion.
4. Move throttle control to choke po si tion.
NOTE:
Before starting, read the warm
and cold starting procedures below.
5. Insert key into ignition and turn key
clockwise to start position and release
key as soon as engine starts. Do not run
starter continuously for more than fi fteen
sec onds per minute. If the engine does
not start after several attempts, move
throt tle control to fast position, wait a few
minutes and try again. If engine still does
not start, move the throttle control back to
the choke position and retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50° F and
above)
6. When engine starts, move the throt tle
control to the fast position.
• The attachments and ground drive can
now be used. If the engine does not
accept the load, restart the en gine and
allow it to warm up for one minute using
the choke as de scribed above.
COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50° F and
below)
6. When engine starts, leave throttle control
in choke position until engine warms up
and begins to run roughly. Once rough
running begins, im me di ate ly move the
throttle control to the fast position. Engine
warm-up may take from several seconds
to several minutes (the colder the tem-
per a ture, the longer the warm-up).
• The attachments can also be used dur-
ing the engine warm-up period.
NOTE:
If at a high altitude (above 3000
feet) or in cold temperatures (below 32 F)
the carburetor fuel mixture may need to
be adjusted for best engine performance
(see “TO ADJUST CARBURETOR” in the
Service and Adjustments section of this
manual).
MOWING TIPS
• Mower should be properly leveled for
best mowing performance. See “TO
LEVEL MOWER HOUSING” in the
Service and Adjustments sec tion of this
manual.
• The left hand side of mower should be
used for trim ming.
• Drive so that clippings are dis charged
onto the area that has already been
cut. Have the cut area to the right of
the tractor. This will result in a more
even dis tri bu tion of clippings and more
uniform cutting.
• When mowing large areas, start by
turning to the right so that clippings will
discharge away from shrubs, fences,
driveways, etc. After one or two rounds,
mow in the opposite direction making
left hand turns until fi nished.
00272
• If grass is extremely tall, it should be
mowed twice to reduce load and pos-
sible fi re hazard from dried clip pings.
Make fi rst cut relatively high; the second
to the desired height.
• Do not mow grass when it is wet.
Wet grass will plug mower and leave
undesirable clumps. Allow grass to dry
before mowing.
•
Always operate engine at full throt tle
when mowing
to assure better mow-
ing performance and proper dis charge
of material. Regulate ground speed by
se lect ing a low enough gear to give the
mower cut ting per for mance as well as
the quality of cut desired.
• When operating attachments, se lect a
ground speed that will suit the terrain
and give best performance of the at-
tach ment being used.
