Adding Fuel
Recommended Fuel
•
For best results, use only clean, fresh (less than
30 days old), unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating of 87 or higher ((R+M)/2 rating method).
•
Ethanol
: Gasoline with up to 10% ethanol
(gasohol) or 15% MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl
ether) by volume is acceptable. Ethanol and
MTBE are not the same. Gasoline with 15%
ethanol (E15) by volume is not approved for use.
Never use gasoline that contains more than
10% ethanol by volume
, such as E15 (contains
15% ethanol), E20 (contains 20% ethanol), or E85
(contains up to 85% ethanol). Using unapproved
gasoline may cause performance problems and/or
engine damage which may not be covered under
warranty.
•
Do not
use gasoline containing methanol.
•
Do not
store fuel either in the fuel tank or fuel
containers over the winter unless you use a fuel
stabilizer.
•
Do not
add oil to gasoline.
Using Stabilizer/Conditioner
Use a fuel stabilizer/conditioner in the machine to
provide the following benefits:
•
Keeps fuel fresh longer when used as directed by
the fuel-stabilizer manufacturer
•
Cleans the engine while it runs
•
Eliminates gum-like varnish buildup in the fuel
system, which causes hard starting
Important:
Do not use fuel additives
containing methanol or ethanol.
Add the correct amount of fuel stabilizer/conditioner
to the fuel.
Note:
A fuel stabilizer/conditioner is most
effective when mixed with fresh fuel. To minimize
the chance of varnish deposits in the fuel system,
use fuel stabilizer at all times.
Filling the Fuel Tank
1.
Park the machine on a level surface.
2.
Engage the parking brake.
3.
Shut off the engine and remove the key.
4.
Clean around the fuel-tank cap.
5.
Fill the fuel tank to the bottom of the filler neck
(
).
Note:
Do not fill the fuel tank completely full.
The empty space in the tank allows the fuel to
expand.
g027243
Figure 8
Performing Daily
Maintenance
Before starting the machine each day, perform the
Each Use/Daily procedures listed in
(page 30)
.
Breaking in a New Machine
New engines take time to develop full power. Mower
decks and drive systems have higher friction when
new, placing additional load on the engine. Allow
40 to 50 hours of break-in time for new machines to
develop full power and best performance.
Using the Safety-Interlock
System
WARNING
If the safety-interlock switches are
disconnected or damaged, the machine could
operate unexpectedly, causing personal
injury.
•
Do not tamper with the interlock switches.
•
Check the operation of the interlock
switches daily and replace any damaged
switches before operating the machine.
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