Assembly Instructions
22
PREOPERATING CHECKLIST
Before operating the mower for the first time, and as
a routine before daily operations, it is important to
make sure the mower is properly prepared and ready
for operation. The following is a list of items to be
checked. (For a mower with frequent operation,
some of these items will not need to be checked every
day, but the operator should be aware of the condition
of each.)
For proper fuel and lubricants refer to
Specifications.
FILL FUEL TANK(S)
Fill the fuel tank(s) using clean, fresh, automotive
grade
unleaded
gasoline (87 octane rating mini-
mum) or gasohol (up to 10% ethyl alcohol, 90% un-
leaded gasoline by volume). See engine manual for
complete fuel recommendations.
DANGER
Handle gasoline with care. Gasoline is high-
ly flammable and its vapors are explosive.
Use safe refueling procedures:
•
DO NOT fill fuel tank(s) with the engine
running.
•
If the engine is hot, allow to cool before
refueling.
•
Use an approved fuel container.
•
Fuel the mower outdoors.
•
DO NOT smoke while refueling.
•
Avoid spilling fuel; use a funnel or spout.
•
DO NOT overfill the fuel tank(s); fill up to
about 1 in. (25 mm) below the top of tank.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT
permit dirt or other foreign
matter to enter the fuel tanks. Wipe dirt from around
the filler cap(s) before removing. Use a clean fuel
storage container and funnel.
IMPORTANT:
DO NOT mix oil with gasoline.
Always use fresh, automotive grade unleaded gas-
oline or gasohol.
DO NOT
use premium, white, or
high-test gasoline.
DO NOT
use additives, such as
carburetor cleaners, deicers, or moisture removing
agents.
DO NOT
use gasoline blended with methyl
alcohol.
CHECK ENGINE CRANKCASE OIL LEVEL
Check the engine crankcase oil level before use and
after each 8 hours
of continuous operation. Refer to
LUBRICATION
for
Checking Engine Crankcase Oil
Level
in
Maintenance Instructions.
CHECK AND SERVICE ENGINE AIR CLEAN-
ER SYSTEM
•
Check air restriction gauge to make sure there is
no red indication showing.
•
Check condition, cleanliness, and security of the
complete air cleaner system (inspect air filter
ev-
ery 100 hours
). For detailed procedures, refer
to
CLEANING
the
Engine Air Cleaner System
in
Maintenance Instructions.
CHECK ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Check that the engine cooling air intake screen is free
of obstruction by grass clippings or debris and clean
if required. Also, cylinder head cooling fins should be
inspected and cleaned if any build-up of debris is
noted [remove two (2) cylinder head ac cess panels
to inspect and clean].
Check performance of the cooling system by starting
the engine, holding a hand adjacent to the cylinder
heads, and feeling the cooling airflow.
DANGER
Make sure to keep hands clear of exhaust
pipe, muffler, and moving parts when
checking airflow.
CHECK SECURITY OF DRIVE TIRE MOUNT-
ING NUTS
The eight (8) Drive Tire mounting nuts should each
be torqued to 75 to 85 ft-lbs. (101.7 to 115.2 N
·
m).
INSPECT FOUR (4) DRIVE BELTS
Engine/PTO and Ground Drive.
CHECK HYDROSTATIC TRANSAXLE OIL
LEVEL
Refer to
LUBRICATION
for
Transaxle Lubrication
in
Maintenance Instructions
.
