The operation of any lawn mower can result in
foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can
result in severe eye damage. Always wear
safety glasses or eye shields while operating
your lawn mower or performing any adjust-
ments or repairs. We recommend a wide
vision safety mask over spectacles or standard
safety glasses.
HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED CONTROL
The engine speed was set at the factory
for optimum performance. Speed is not
adjustable.
ENGINE ZONE CONTROL
ACAUTION: Federal regulations requ re an
engine control to be installed on this lawn
mower in order to minimize the risk of blade
contact injury. Do not under any circumstances
attempt to defeat the function of the operator
control. The blade turns when the engine is
running.
• Your lawn mower is equipped with an
operator presence control bar which
requires the operator to be positioned
behind the lawn mower handle to start and
operate the lawn mower.
TO ADJUST CUTFING HEIGHT
• Raise wheels for low cut and lower
wheels for high cut.
• Adjust cutting height to suit your
requirements. Medium position is best
for most lawns.
• To change cutting height, squeeze
adjuster lever toward wheel. Move
wheel up or down to suit your require-
ments. Be sure all wheels are in the
same setting.
NOTE: Adjuster is properly positioned
when plate tab inserts into hole in lever.
Also, 9-position adjusters (if so equipped)
allow lever to be positioned between the
plate tabs. Lever Plate tab
Lower wheels for
high cut _ _
Raise wheels for low cut
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE OIL
Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in the
engine.
• Be sure mower is level and area around oil
fill is clean.
• Remove engine oil cap and fill to the full line
on the dipstick.
• Use 20 ozs. of oil. For type and grade of oil
to use, see "ENGINE" in Maintenance
section of this manual.
• Pouroil slowly. Do not overfill.
• Check oil level before each use. Add oil if
needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.
• To read proper level, tighten engine oil cap
each time.
• Reinstall engine oil cap and tighten.
• Change the oil after every 25 hours of
operation or each season. You may need
to change the oil more often under dusty,
dirty conditions.
GAS
• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87
octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline.
Purchase fuel in quantities that can be
used within 30 days to assure fuel
freshness.
WARNING: Experience indicatesthat alcohol
blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol
or methanol) can attract moisture which leads
to separation 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 fuel tank, start the engine and let it
run until 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
fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.
Gasoline filler Engine oil cap
cap
TO START ENGINE
• To start a cold engine, push primer three
(3) times before trying to start. Use a
firm push. This step is not usually
necessary when starting an engine
which has already run for a few minutes.
• Hold operator presence control bar
down to the handle and pull starter
handle quickly. Do not allow starter
rope to snap back.
• To stop engine, release operator
presence control bar.
NOTE: In cooler weather it may be
necessary to repeat priming steps. In
warmer weather over priming may cause
6 flooding and engine will not start. If you do
