_CAUTION:
Do not run your lawn
mower without
mulcher
plug or approved
grass catcher
in place.
Never attempt
to
operate
the lawn mower
with the rear door
removed
or propped
open.
BEFORE
STARTING
ENGINE
ADD
OIL
Your lawnmower
is shipped
without
oil in
the engine.
For type and grade of oil to
use, see "ENGINE"
in the Maintenance
section
of this manual.
_;_ CAUTION:
DO NOT overfill engine
with
oil, or it will smoke
heavily
from the muffler
on startup.
1.
Be sure lawnmower
is level.
2.
Remove
oil dipstick
from oil fill spout.
3.
You receive
a container
of oil with the
unit.
Slowly
pour the entire container
down the oil fill spout into the engine.
NOTE:
Initial oil fill requires
only 18 oz.
due to residual
oil in engine
from the
manufacturers
100% quality testing.
When
changing
oil you may need 20 oz.
4.
Insert
and tighten
dipstick.
IMPORTANT:
• Check
oil level before
each use.
Add oil
if needed.
Fill to full line on dipstick.
• 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.
See "TO
CHANGE
ENGINE
Oil"
in the Mainte-
nance
section
of this manual.
Engine
oil cap
2.
Grasp
the white
peel tab and pull to
remove
the entire
seal.
3.
Screw
fuel cap onto fuel tank after fill-
ing tank with gasoline.
Replace
cartridge
when
empty
(about
once a season).
Check
preserver
level
visually.
A
DANGER:
Cartridge
fluid is HARMFUL
OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED.
Avoid contact
to eyes, skin, or clothing.
Do not take
internally.
Do not inhale fluid vapor. Keep
out of reach
of children.
If swallowed,
call
a physician
immediately.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom
of tank filler neck.
Do not overfill.
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 fresh-
ness.
A CAUTION:
Wipe off any spilled
oil or
fuel.
Do not store,
spill or use gasoline
near an open flame.
_1_CAUTION:
Alcohol
blended
fuels
(called
gasohol
or using
ethanol
or metha-
nol) 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.
Empty 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.
Gasoline
filler cap
ATTACH
FUEL
CAP CARTRIDGE
Your mower
is equipped
with a special
FRESH
START
TM
fuel cap and continuous
fuel preserver
cartridge.
See the infor-
mation
and instructions
packed
with the
FRESH
START
TM
cartridge.
1.
Snap cartridge
into bottom
of fuel cap.
NOTE:
Do not remove
the silver foil seal on
the side of cartridge
that snaps into fuel cap.
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 prod-
uct and should
be considered
normal.
NOTE:
Your engine
is equipped
with an
automatic
choke
system.
No priming
or
choking
is required
before
starting.
• To start engine,
hold operator
presence
control
bar down to the handle
and
pull starter
handle
quickly. Do not allow
starter
rope to snap back.
10