OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
If you are not completely familiar with the Safety Instruction
Manual read it now before proceeding with the operation of
the mower. REMEMBER THERE ARE CERTAIN
PRECAUTIONS LISTED IN THIS MANUAL THAT YOU MUST
NOW TAKE BEFORE STARTING THE MOWER.
WARNING
Inspect Mower Before Each Use:
Inspection of Mower:
Do not use the mower if
any parts are not maintained in good operating
condition. Examine all moving parts prior to
each use. Look for excessive wear, bald drive
tires or worn out front tires (normally smooth),
cracks in parts, loose or missing bolts, cotter,
linchpin or “hair” pins or cable yoke pins and
replace before operating the mower. Make
sure all safety equipment provided with the
mower is in good operating order, including all
warning decals and the operator-presence
device which stops the engine and blades when
the foot-operated Operator Presence Control
(OPC) switch is released. To test the OPC,
follow the instructions given later in this manual.
Inspect the two anti-tip rollers and their
respective bolts at the rear of the mower for
tightness and proper operation. Ensure that all
parts of the Quad Lever™ control system are
tight and secure. This is to reduce the
possibility that the mower could have a loss of
control or safety.
Basic Operation:
The following procedures
are to guide you through the basic operation of
the mower. You should be a qualified mower
operator according to the safety section of this
manual. If this is your first time, operation
should only be done with the assistance of your
dealer on a level area. You should go through
each step, in the order indicated, every time
you start the mower.
How to start the mower:
Before starting the engine
• Make sure the control levers are in the
exact neutral position
• Apply the parking brake if it is not already
set.
• Turn OFF the blade engaging switch if it is
on.
• Turn fuel valve toward tank with fuel in it.
Starting the engine
Electric Start:
•Start the engine according to the engine
manufacturer’s recommendation, see
engine manual. Set the throttle control lever
near mid throttle, pull out on the choke
control knob and turn the key to the start
position. Do not engage the starter for more
than ten (10) seconds at a time. This may
overheat the starter and the wiring systems.
Wait ten (10) seconds between attempts. If
the engine does not start within ten tries or
stalls frequently, take the mower in for
service.
After starting the engine according to the
engine manufacturer’s recommendation, push
in on the choke control knob to open the choke
valve, let the engine run for several minutes to
get the hydraulic fluid circulating through the
pumps, etc. and to allow the engine to warm up.
Do not over-rev a cold engine.
Unusual noises or irregular operation:
As you drive the mower, listen for any unusual
noises and test for irregular operation and
adjust or service as necessary.
How to drive the mower:
While sitting or standing, both feet should be
firmly placed on the foot platform. Set the
engine speed about a fourth of the way from
idle. Release the parking brake. Now try
moving the hand control levers, one at a time,
very slightly, forward and backward. Check to
see if the wheels move forward and backward
according to the position of the levers. (If not,
check to see that the pump release valves are
closed.) With both feet still firmly placed on the
foot platform, increase the engine speed to
about half of the way from idle speed. Release
the parking brake. The higher engine speed
will make the controls much more responsive
and the mower much quicker; Use caution if it is
your first time. Now try moving the hand control
