Pre-Start Check List
Make the following checks and perform the service required
before each start-up.
1. Check the guards, deflectors, grass bag, and covers to
make sure all are in place and securely tightened.
2. Check the blade control
(A, Figure 1)
and drive handle
(B)
to insure they work freely.
3. Check the cutting height. Adjust to the desired height.
Refer to the Section ‘Cutting Height Adjustment’.
4. Check the engine oil and add oil as needed to bring the
level up to the full mark
(A, Figure 2)
. Refer to the
Engine Owner’s Manual for oil specifications.
5. Add fuel to the tank after pushing the mower outside
where fumes can safely dissipate. Fill the tank to 1-1/2
inches below the top of the filler neck (to allow for fuel
expansion). Make sure the cap is tightened after fueling.
Refer to the Engine Owners Manual for fuel
specifications.
6. Clean the exterior surfaces of the cutting deck and
engine of any accumulation of spilled fuel, dirt, grass,
oil, etc. Keep the engine air intake screen and cooling
fins clear at all times.
7. Electric Start Models: charge the battery. The battery
should be charged before each use, or if stored for
longer than 30 days. Refer to the Section ‘Charging
the Battery’.
Starting and Operation
Engine and Blade
The engine on your mower is equipped with the Briggs &
Stratton Ready Start System. This features a temprature-
controlled automatic choke. No additional steps are required
to start a cold engine.
1. Make sure the drive handle
(A, Figure 3)
is pulled fully
back, and the drive handle lock lever
(B)
is pushed fully
forward in the locked position.
2 Pull the blade control
(C)
against the handle.
3. Start the engine (and blade):
Manual Start Models: Pull the rope start handle
(D)
to crank the engine.
Electric Start Models: Insert the key (E) into the
electric start switch (F). Turn the key to crank
the engine. Use short starting cycles (5 seconds
max.), and wait 1 minute between cycles.
4. After the engine starts, allow a brief warm-up until the
engine runs smooth before beginning mower operation.
Note:
To stop the engine (and blade), release the blade con-
trol. (On electric start models, be sure to remove the key
from the electric start switch.)
Figure 2: Checking engine oil
B
A
Figure 1: Mower controls
A
B
A
D
Figure 3: Starting the mower
C
Operation
7
F
E
Not
for
Reproduction
