Operator's Manual

18
much you squeeze the drive lever. To move the mower
straight forward (or backward), smoothly release both drive
levers simultaneously.
Neutral/parking brake locks—Squeeze the drive levers
back and move the locks rearward to activate the neutral
lock. Squeeze the drive levers back and move the locks
forward to activate the parking brake locks.
Blade control (PTO) lever—The blade control (PTO)
lever engages and disengages power to the mower blades.
Move the PTO lever forward to engage the blades. Pull the
lever rearward to stop driving the mower blades.
Recoil starter (On the engine)—Pull the recoil starter
handle to start the engine.
Fuel shut-off valve (In the fuel line)—Close the fuel
shut-off valve when transporting or storing the mower.
Operating the Parking Brake
and Neutral Locks
Always set the parking brakes when you stop the machine
or leave it unattended.
Setting the Parking Brakes
1. Squeeze the drive levers back (Fig. 16).
6
1
2
3
4
5
m-5386
Figure 16
1. Handle
2. Neutral/parking brake lock
3. Park position
4. Neutral position
5. Drive lever
6. Full speed forward
2. Place your thumbs on the upper part of the locks and
move them forward in into the Park position (Fig. 16).
3. Release the drive levers.
Releasing the Parking Brakes
1. Squeeze the drive levers back (Fig. 16).
2. Place your thumbs on the upper part of the locks and
move them rearward until they are in the Drive position
(Fig. 16).
Setting the Neutral Locks
1. Squeeze the drive levers back (Fig. 16).
2. Place your thumbs on the upper part of the locks and
move them rearward into the Neutral Lock position
(Fig. 16).
Releasing the Neutral Locks
1. Squeeze the drive levers back.
2. Place your thumbs on the upper part of the locks and
move them forward until they are in the Drive position
(Fig. 16).
Starting the Engine
1. Connect the wire to the spark plug.
2. Open the fuel valve.
3. Disengage the blade control (PTO) lever and move the
shift lever to the Neutral position.
4. Set the parking brakes.
5. Move the throttle control to the Choke position before
starting a cold engine.
Note: A warm or hot engine usually does not require
any choking. To start a warm engine, move the throttle
control to the Fast position.
6. Grasp the recoil starter handle firmly and pull it out
until positive engagement results; then pull the handle
vigorously to start the engine. Allow the rope to recoil
slowly.
Important Do not pull the recoil rope to its limit or
release the starter handle when you pull out the rope
because the rope may break or the recoil assembly may be
damaged.
7. If the engine is cold, allow it to warm up and then move
the throttle control to the Fast position.
Stopping the Engine
Important In an emergency, you can stop the engine
immediately by pulling the throttle all the way back to the
Stop position.
1. Move the throttle lever to the Slow position (Fig. 15).
Note: If the engine has been working hard or is hot, let it
idle for a minute before stopping it to help cool it.
2. To stop the engine, pull the throttle all the way back to
the Stop position (Fig. 15).
3. Set the parking brakes.