Operator's Manual

11
4. Move the ground speed control to the (Neutral)
position (Fig. 12).
224
1
Figure 12
1. Ground speed control
5. Pull the starter handle (Fig. 8) lightly until you feel
resistance, then pull it sharply.
6. Regulate the throttle and the ground speed control as
desired when the engine starts.
Note: If the engine fails to start after 3 pulls, repeat steps
3 through 6.
Stopping the Engine
1. Release the blade control bail and move the throttle
control to the (Off) position.
2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug if you do not
use the lawn mower or if you leave it unattended.
Operating the Blade and the
Self-Propel Drive
1. Have the blade control bail in the A position (Fig. 13).
m-3769
A
B
C
Figure 13
2. Slide the blade control bail to the right and raise it to
the B position to engage the blade (Fig. 13).
3. Squeeze the blade control bail against the handle to the
C position to drive (Fig. 13).
Note: To disengage the traction drive but keep the blade
engaged, gradually release the blade control bail to the B
position. To self-propel with the blade disengaged,
squeeze the blade control bail against handle to the C
position without sliding the blade control bail to the right.
The lawn mower has 3 ground speeds. 1 is slow, 2 is
medium, and 3 is fast. The ground speed control is located
at the rear of the belt cover (Fig. 12).
Note: You can vary the ground speed by increasing or
decreasing the distance between the control bar and the
handle. Lower the control bar to slow the lawn mower
when making a turn or if the lawn mower is moving too
fast for you. If you lower the control bar too far, the lawn
mower stops self-propelling. Squeeze the control bar
closer to the handle to increase the ground speed. When
you hold the control bar tight against the handle, the lawn
mower self-propels at the maximum ground speed. Move
the ground speed control to the (Neutral) position
when you use the lawn mower for trimming and whenever
you leave the lawn mower.
Using the Discharge Tunnel
Plug
1. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
2. Insert the plug; refer to Installing the Discharge Tunnel
Plug on page 8.
3. To remove the plug, move the discharge door handle
rearward and lift up the spring clip on the bottom of
the plug. When the plug is unlocked, pull it out of the
discharge tunnel.
Note: When grass is thick and lush, clippings may collect
on and around the discharge tunnel plug. This may make
removing the plug difficult. Clean the plug thoroughly
after each use.
Checking the Blade Brake
Clutch
Check the blade control bail before each use to ensure that
the blade brake clutch (BBC) system is operating properly.
Normal Test
1. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
2. Move the lawn mower onto a paved surface in a
non-windy area.
3. Set all 4 wheels in to the 2-1/2 in. (64 mm) cutting
height setting (Fig. 19).
4. Set the ground speed selector to the N (Neutral)
position.