avoid engine problems,the fuel system
should be emptied beforestorageof 30
days or longer. Emptythe gas tank,start
the engineand let it run untilthe fuel lines
and carburetorare empty. Usefresh fuel
next season. See StorageInstructionsfor
additionalinformation. Neveruse engine
or carburetorcleanerproductsin the fuel
tank or permanentdamagemay occur.
TO
STOP
ENGINE
• To stop engine,
release
operator
pres-
ence control
bar.
TO START
ENGINE
NOTE:
Due to protective
coatings
on the
engine,
a small amount
of smoke
may be
present
during the initial use of the product
and should
be considered
normal.
1. To start a cold engine,
push primer
three (3) times before
trying to start.
Use a firm push. This step is not usu-
ally necessary
when starting
an engine
which
has already
run for a few minutes.
2. Hold operator
presence
control
bar down
to the handle
and turn the start key.
IMPORTANT:
Do not crank engine
more
than five continous
seconds
between
each
time you try to start. Wait 5 to 10 seconds
between
each attempt.
• To start engine
using the rope starter,
follow the steps
above.
Exchange
the
use of the starter
rope for start key.
Pull starter
handle quickly.
Do not allow
starter
rope to snap back.
NOTE:
In coolerweather
it may be necessary
to repeat
priming
steps.
In warmer
weather
over priming
may cause flooding
and engine
will not start.
If you do flood engine
wait a
few minutes
before
attempting
to start and
do not repeat
priming
steps.
MOWING
TIPS
=_, CAUTION:
Do not use de-thatcher
blade attachments
on your mower.
Such
attachments
are hazardous,
will damage
your mower and could void your warranty.
• Under
certain
conditions,
such as very
tall grass,
it may be necessary
to raise
the height of cut to reduce
pushing
effort
and to keep from overloading
the engine
and leaving
clumps
of grass
clippings.
It may also be necessary
to reduce
ground
speed
and/or
run the lawn
mower
over the area a second
time.
• For extremely
heavy cutting,
reduce
the
width of cut by overlapping
previously
cut path and mow slowly.
• For better grass bagging
and most cut-
ting conditions,
the engine speed
should
be set in the FAST position.
• Pores in cloth grass catchers
can
become
filled with dirt and dust with use
and catchers
will collect
less grass. To
prevent
this, regularly
hose catcher
off
with water and let dry before
using.
• Keep top of engine
around
starter
clear
and clean of grass
clippings
and chaff.
This will help engine
air flow and extend
engine
life.
MULCHING
MOWING
TIPS
IMPORTANT:
For best performance,
keep mower
housing
free of built-up
grass and trash.
See "CLEANING"
in the
Maintenance
section
of this manual.
• The special
mulching
blade will recut
the grass clippings
many times and
reduce
them in size so that as they fall
onto the lawn they will disperse
into
the grass and not be noticed.
Also, the
mulched
grass will biodegrade
quickly
to
provide
nutrients
for the lawn.
Always
mulch with your highest
engine
(blade)
speed
as this will provide
the best recut-
ting action of the blades.
• Avoid
cutting
your lawn when it is wet.
Wet grass tends to form clumps
and
interferes
with the mulching
action.
The
best time to mow your lawn is the early
afternoon.
At this time the grass
has
dried, yet the newly cut area will not be
exposed
to direct sunlight.
• For best results,
adjust the lawn mower
cutting
height so that the lawn mower
cuts off only the top one-third
of the
grass blades.
If the lawn is overgrown
it will be necessary
to raise the height of
cut to reduce
pushing
effort and to keep
from overloading
the engine
and leaving
clumps
of mulched
grass.
For extremely
heavy grass,
reduce
your width of cut
by overlapping
previously
cut path and
mow slowly.
1/3
• Certain types
of grass and grass
conditions
may require that an area be
mulched
a second
time to completely
hide the clippings.
When
doing a sec-
ond cut, mow across
(perpendicular)
to
the first cut path.
• Change
your cutting
pattern
from week
to week.
Mow north to south one week
then change
to east to west the next
week.
This will help prevent
matting
11
and graining
of the lawn.