Owner's Manual

8
OPERATION
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels
(called gasohol or using ethanol or
methanol) can attract moisture which
leads to separation and for ma tion of
acids during storage.
Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an
engine while in storage. To avoid engine prob-
lems, the fuel system should be emptied before
stor age 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 In struc tions for additional
information. Never use engine or carburetor
cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
ADD GASOLINE (See Fig. 10)
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank fi ller neck. Do not over-
fi ll. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline with
a minimum of 87 octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline.
Purchase fuel in quan ti ties that can be used within 30
days to assure fuel freshness.
TO STOP ENGINE (See Fig. 11)
• To stop engine, release operator presence control bar.
Wait until blade and all moving parts have stopped and
turn fuel valve to OFF position if you do not intend to
re start the engine soon.
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. Be sure fuel valve is in the ON po si tion.
2. Move choke lever to ON ( ) position.
3. Hold operator presence control bar down to the han dle
and pull starter handle quickly. Do not allow starter rope
to snap back.
NOTE: The choke lever automatically begins moving to
the OFF position when operator presence control bar is
held down to handle.
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
ADD OIL (See Fig. 10)
Your lawnmower is shipped without oil in the engine. For
type and grade of oil to use, see “EN GINE” in the Mainte-
nance section of this manual.
CAUTION: DO NOT overfi ll engine with
oil, or it will smoke heavily from the
muffl er on startup.
1. Be sure lawnmower is level.
2. Remove oil fi ll cap/dipstick from oil fi ll spout.
3. You recieve a container of oil with the unit. Slowly
pour the entire container down the oil fi ll spout into the
engine.
4. Insert and tighten oil fi ll cap/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 un-
der dusty, dirty conditions. See “TO CHANGE ENGINE
OIL” in the Maintenance section of this manual.
GASOLINE
FILLER CAP
ENGINE
OIL CAP
FIG. 10
FIG. 9
GRASS
CATCHER
FRAME
HANDLE
BAG
HANDLE
TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER (See Fig. 9)
1. Lift up on grass catcher using the frame han dle.
2. Remove grass catcher with clippings from under lawn
mower han dle.
3. Empty clippings from bag using both frame handle and
bag handle.
NOTE: Do not drag the bag when emptying; it will cause
unnecessary wear.