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Section 4: Operation
12
a. To adjust cutting height, pullthe
CuttingHeight Lever(A, Figure4-6)
away from the mower to releasethe
tab from the slot. Besure to grip the
leverfirmly to preventthe mower deck
from dropping down rapidly.
Figure4-6: Cuttingheightadjustment.
b. While pulling the leverawayfrom
the mower, movethe levertowardsthe
back of the mower (B, Figure4-6) for a
higher cut or towards the front of the
mower (C)for a lower cut.
c. Seatthe lever'stab squarelyinto
the slot.
IMPORTANT:The mower is equipped
with a safety flap locatedonthe rear of
the mower deck. Aftersettingthe cutting
height, becertainthattheflap hangs
freelyand is notcaughtunderthedeck.
6. PrepareEngine-
• Checkoil level- If this is a new mower,
addmotor oil as described inthe Engine
Owner's Manual;otherwise,checkoil
levelandadd as recommended i n the
Engine Owner'sManual.
GASOLINE IS HIGHLYFLAMMABLE AND
ITS VAPORS AREEXPLOSIVE.
Follow the gasolinesafety rules in this
Manual (Section 1) and in the separate
EngineOwner'sManual.
Failureto follow gasolinesafetyinstruc-
tions can result in serious personal
injuryandpropertydamage.
• Add fuel - Fill the fuel tank with gasoline
accordingto the directionsin the
separateEngineOwner's Manual.
Follow all instructionsand Safetyrules
carefully.
• Checkair filter - Theengine is
equippedwith an air filtration system.
When clogged,it causesstarting diffi-
culties and operatesinefficiently. See
the EngineOwner's Manualfor infor-
mation on howto maintainthe air
filter system.
OPERATING THE MOWER
Thefollowing proceduresexplainhowto
start, stop and operatethe mower.
Starting the Engine
Do not operate the engine in an
enclosedarea. Engineexhaustcontains
carbon monoxide, a deadly gas that is
odorless, colorless and tasteless.
Always run the engine outdoors and
makesurethere is adequateventilation.
1. Openthe fuel shut-off valve,if so
equipped.
2. Primethe engineby pushingthe
primerbulb firmly 3 times.
NOTE:Priming may not be necessary
whenrestartinga warm engine.
However,cool weather may require
priming again. Seethe EngineOwner's
Manualfor priming information.
To avoid injury or property damage,
thoroughly inspectarea where moweris
to be used and remove all stones,
sticks, wires, bones, nails and other
foreignobjects.
3. Standbehindthe mower handlebar
and pull the OperatorPresenceControl
Bail (A, Figure3-1) back againstthe
handlebarand hold.
4. Checkbehindyou for obstacles,then
slowly pull the recoil rope (E,Figure3-1)
until resistanceis felt. Pull the rope out
rapidlyto start engine. Let the rope
return slowly. If the engine fails to start
after three pulls, repeatsteps 2-4.
Stoppingthe
Engineand Mower Blade
1. Release theOperatorPresence Control
Bail (A, Figure3-1) to stop the engine and
blade,
To avoid personal injury, keep hands
and feet clear of mower blade or other
rotatingparts.
Emergency Stopping
Release all controls.Thisstops the
engine,wheelmovementandtheblade.
IMPORTANT:The mowerisequipped
with a BladeControl Systemwhich is
designedto stop the mower bladewithin
three (3) secondsafter releasingthe
OperatorPresence Control Bail. This
system alsostops the engine.
If the Blade Control System does not
operate properly, the blade could
continueto rotate for longerthan three
(3) secondsafter releasingthe Operator
PresenceControl Bail. If this occurs,
discontinue usingthe mowerand imme-
diately contact your local authorized
dealer or the factory for instructions.
Do not operate the mower until the
BladeControl S ystemis repaired.
Failure to do this could result in
personalinjuryor propertydamage.
Mowing
1. Start the engine. SeeStarting the
Enginein this Section.
2. Usethe WheelSpeedControl to select
a wheel speed. Themower hasthree
wheelspeeds. Selecta slower speed
whenfirst starting out(or when learning
how to usethe mower),then move into
faster speedsif needed.
• Low Speed(1) - is engaged whenthe
leveris pulled all the way back. Low
speedprovides the most efficient c ut.
• Medium Speed(2) - isengaged when
the leveris movedto the middle detent
position (thecontrol leverwill click into
place). This speedis a good compro-
mise for speedand cutting perfor-
mance.
• High Speed(3) - is engaged whenthe
leveris pushed all the way forward.
High speedenablesyou to coverthe
cutting area morequickly, but may
result in a less efficient cut.
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