The operationof any
SAFETY
GLASSES
lawn mower can result
in foreign objects thrown
into the eyes, which can
result in severe eye dam-
age. Alwayswear safety glasses or eye
shields while operatingyour lawn mower
or performing any adjustments or repairs.
We recommend a standard safety glasses
or wide vision safety mask worn over
spectacles.
HOW TO USE
YOUR
LAWN
MOWER
ENGINE SPEED
Engine speed was set at the factory for
optimum performance,
it is not adjustable.
TO CONVERT
MOWER
Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be
used as a mulcher.
To convert to bagging:
• Lift rear door of the lawn mower and
place the grass catcher frame hooks
onto the door pivot pins.
• To convert to mulching or discharging
operation,
remove grass catcher and
close rear door.
Pivot pins
Rear
G rass
catcher
handle
ENGINE ZONE CONTROL
_,CAUTION:
Federal regulations
require
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
CUTTING
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 ad-
juster lever toward wheel. Move wheel
up or down to suit your requirements.
Be sure all wheels are in the same set-
ting.
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 BACKWARD
TO LOWER MOWER
Plate tab
LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER
Lever
Catcher frame hook
TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER
1. Lift up on grass catcher using the
frame handle.
2.
Remove grass catcher with clippings
from under lawn mower handle.
3. Empty clippings from bag.
NOTE:
Do not drag the bag when empty-
ing; it will cause unnecessary
wear.
8
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.
A 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.