Operating the Self-propel
Drive and Engaging the
Cutting Blade
This machine is equipped with a blade-brake clutch.
Important:
To ensure that the blade-brake clutch is
working properly, refer to Checking the Blade-brake
Clutch (page 12).
The machine has 3 ground speeds: 1 (slow), 2 (medium),
and 3 (fast). The self-propel-drive lever is located below and
behind the fuel tank (Figure 12).
Figure 12
1.
Self-propel-drive lever
•
To operate the self-propel drive without engaging
the blade:
Raise the blade-control bar to the handle
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Figure 13
1.
Raise the blade-control bar to the handle.
•
To operate the self-propel drive and engage the
blade:
Move the blade-control bar all the way to the right
and raise it to the handle (Figure 14).
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1
Figure 14
1.
Move the blade-control
bar to the right.
2.
Raise the blade-control
bar to the handle.
•
To disengage the self-propel drive and the blade:
Release the blade-control bar.
Note:
You can vary the ground speed by increasing or
decreasing the distance between the blade-control bar and
the handle. Lower the bar to decrease the ground speed
when you are making a turn or if the machine is moving
too fast for you. If you lower the bar too far, the machine
stops self-propelling. Squeeze the bar closer to the handle
to increase the ground speed. When you hold the bar tight
against the handle, the machine self-propels at the maximum
ground speed. Move the self-propel-drive lever to the Neutral
position when you use the machine for trimming.
Checking the Blade-brake
Clutch
Check the blade-control bar before each use to ensure that
the blade-brake clutch is operating properly.
Checking with the Grass Bag
1.
Install the empty grass bag on the machine.
2.
Start the engine.
3.
Engage the blade.
Note:
The bag should begin to inflate, indicating that
the blade is engaged and rotating.
4.
Release the blade-control bar.
Note:
If the bag does not immediately deflate, the
blade is still rotating. The blade-brake clutch may be
deteriorating and, if ignored, could result in an unsafe
operating condition. Have the machine inspected and
serviced by an Authorized Service Dealer.
5.
Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
Checking without the Grass Bag
1.
Move the machine onto a paved surface in a non-windy
area.
2.
Set all 4 wheels to the 76 mm (3 inch) cutting-height
setting; refer to Adjusting the Cutting Height (page 11).
12