Adding Fuel
WARNING
Fuel and its vapors are extremely flammable and
explosive.
Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or death.
When Adding Fuel
• Turn engine off and let engine cool at least 3 minutes
before removing the fuel cap.
• Fill fuel tank outdoors or in well-ventilated area.
• Do not overfill fuel tank. To allow for expansion of the
fuel, do not fill above the bottom of the fuel tank neck.
• Keep fuel away from sparks, open flames, pilot lights,
heat, cigarettes, and other ignition sources.
• Check fuel lines, tank, cap, and fittings frequently for
cracks or leaks. Replace if necessary.
• If fuel spills, wait until it evaporates before starting
engine.
1. Clean the fuel cap area of dirt and debris. Remove the
fuel cap (A, Figure 5).
2. Fill the fuel tank with fuel. To allow for expansion of the
fuel, do not fill above the bottom of the fuel tank neck (B).
3. Reinstall the fuel cap.
Starting the Engine
WARNING
Fuel and its vapors are extremely flammable and explosive.
Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or death.
When Starting Engine
• Ensure that spark plug, muffler, fuel cap, and air
cleaner (if equipped) are in place and secured.
• Do not crank engine with spark plug removed.
• If engine floods, set choke (if equipped) to OPEN / RUN
position, move throttle (if equipped) to FAST position
and crank until engine starts.
WARNING
Running engine gives off carbon monoxide, an odorless,
colorless, poison gas.
Breathing carbon monoxide can cause headache, fatigue,
dizziness, vomiting, confusion, seizures, nausea, fainting or
death.
• Operate equipment ONLY outdoors.
• Keep exhaust gas from entering a confined area
through windows, doors, ventilation intakes, or other
openings.
WARNING
• If you do not understand how a specific control
functions, or have not yet thoroughly read the Features
& Controls section, do so now.
• Do NOT attempt to operate the tractor without first
becoming familiar with the location and function of all
controls.
1. While sitting in the operator's seat:
• Models with automatic parking brake: Make
sure the PTO switch is disengaged and the ground
speed control levers are locked in the START/PARK
position. (The parking brake is automatically engaged
when the ground speed levers are locked in the
START/PARK position.)
• Models with manual parking brake: Make sure
the PTO switch is disengaged, the parking brake is
engaged, and the ground speed control levers are
locked in the START/PARK position.
2. Set the engine speed control past the FAST position to
the CHOKE position.
A warm engine does not require choking.
Some engines are equipped with a separate choke
control.
Some engines are equipped with a ReadyStart
and do not feature a choke.
3. Insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it to
START.
4. After the engine starts, turn off the choke (if equipped),
and warm up the engine by running it for at least a minute
before engaging the PTO switch or driving the rider.
5. After warming the engine, always operate the unit at full
engine speed when mowing.
In the event of an emergency the engine can be stopped
by simply turning the ignition switch to STOP. Use this
method only in emergency situations. For normal engine shut
down follow the procedure given in Stopping The Rider And
Engine .
Stopping the Rider
1. Return the ground speed levers to the middle (or neutral
'N') position to stop rider movement. Pivot the levers
outward to lock them in the START/PARK position.
Note: Moving the ground speed levers to the START/ PARK
position automatically engages the parking brake.
2. Disengage the PTO by pushing down on the PTO switch.
3. Move the engine speed control to the SLOW position and
turn the ignition switch to OFF. Remove the key.
®
feature,
13