OPERATION
ADD GASOLINE
• Fillfuel tank to bottom of fillerneck. Do not overfiU. Use
fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoUne witha minimum
of 87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline will increase
carbon and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life).
Do not mix oilwith gasoline. Purchase fuel inquantities
that can be used within30 daystoassure fuel freshness.
I _lb CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or I
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
near an open flame.
IMPORTANT: When operating in temperatures
below32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean winter grade gasoline to
help insure goodcold weather starting.
&
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called
gasohol or using ethanol or methanol)
can attract moisture which leads to sepa-
ration and formation of acids during
storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel
system of an engine while in storage. To
avoid engine problems, the fuel system
should be emptied before storage of 30
days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start
the engine and let it run until the fuel
lines and carburetor are empty. Use
fresh fuel next season. See Storage
Instructions for additional information.
Never use engine or carburetor cleaner
products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 5)
When startingthe engine forthe firsttime or ifthe engine has
run out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move fuel
from the tank to the engine.
• Sit on seat inoperating position, depress clutch/breke
pedal and set parking brake.
• Place gear shiftlever in neutral (N) position.
• Move attachment clutch to'DISENGAGED" position.
• Move throttle controlto choke position.
NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting
proceduresbelow.
• Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to
"START" position and release key as soon as engine
starts. Do not run starter continuously for more than
fifteen seconds per minute. If the engine does not start
after several attempts, move throttle control to fast
position, wait a few minutes and tryagain. If engine still
does not start, move the throttle control back to the
choke positionand retry.
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50 °F and above)
• When engine starts,move thethrottle controlto the fast
position.
• The attachments and groundddve can now be used. If
the engine does not accept the load, restart the engine
and allow it to warm up for one minute using the choke
as described above.
COLD WEATHER STARTING (50 ° Fand below)
When engine starts, allow engine to runwiththe throttle
control in the choke position until the engine runs
roughly, then move throttle controlto fast position. This
may require an engine warm-up period from several
seconds to several minutes, depending onthe tempera-
ture.
• The attachments can also be used duringthe engine
warrn-uppeded.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold
temperatures (below 32 F) thecarburetor fuel mixture may
need tObe adjusted for best engine performance. See "TO
ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the Service and Adjustments
section of this manual.
MOWING TIPS
• Tire chains cannot be used when the mower housingis
attached totractor.
• Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing
performance. See =TOLEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in
the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.
• The lefthandsideof mowershould be usedfortrimming.
• Drivesothatclippingsare dischargedonto the area that
has been cut. Have the cut area to the right of the
machine. This willresult in a more even distributionof
clippings and more uniform cutting.
• When mewing largeareas, start by turningto the rightso
that clippings will discharge away from shrubs, fences,
driveways, etc. After one or two rounds, mow in the
opposite direction making left hand turns untilfinished
(See Fig. 7 ).
f
1
_, ,l=
JI
FIG. 7
• If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to
reduce load and possible fire hazard from dried clip-
pings. Make first cut relatively high; the second to the
desired height.
• Do not mew grass when itis wet. Wet grass will plug
mowerand leaveundesirable clumps. Allowgress todry
before mowing.
• Always operate engine a_full throttlewhen mowing
to assure better mowing perfon'qance and proper dis-
chargeof metedal. Regulate groundspeed by selecting
a low enough gear to give the mower cutting perfor-
mance as well as the quality of cut desired.
• When operating attachments, select a ground speed
that willsuitthe terrain and give best performance ofthe
attachment being used.
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