Assembly Instructions
25
PREOPERATING CHECKLIST
Before operating the mower for the first time, and as
a routine before daily operations, it is important to
make sure the mower is properly prepared and
ready for operation. The following is a list of items
to be checked. (For a mower with frequent opera
tion, some of these items will not need to be
checked every day, but the operator should be
aware of the condition of each.)
For proper fuel and lubricants refer to
Specifications.
FILL FUEL TANKS
Fill the fuel tanks using clean, fresh automotive
grade
unleaded
gasoline (87 octane minimum, 10%
ethanol maximum).
DANGER
Handle gasoline with care. Gasoline is high-
ly flammable and its vapors are explosive.
Use safe refueling procedures:
●
DO NOT fill fuel tank(s) with the engine
running.
●
If the engine is hot, allow to cool before
refueling.
●
Use an approved fuel container.
●
Fuel the mower outdoors.
●
DO NOT smoke while refueling.
●
Avoid spilling fuel; use a funnel or spout.
●
DO NOT overfill the fuel tank(s); fill up to
about 1 in. (25 mm) below the top of tank.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT
permit dirt or other foreign
matter to enter the fuel tanks. Wipe dirt from around
the filler cap(s) before removing. Use a clean fuel
storage container and funnel.
IMPORTANT:
DO NOT mix oil with gasoline.
Always use fresh, automotive grade unleaded gas
oline.
DO NOT
use gasoline containing greater than
10% ethanol.
DO NOT
use additives, such as
carburetor cleaners, deicers, or moisture removing
agents.
DO NOT
use gasoline blended with methyl
alcohol.
CHECK ENGINE CRANKCASE OIL LEVEL
Check the engine crankcase oil level before use and
after each 8 hours
of continuous operation. Refer
to
LUBRICATION
for
Checking Engine Crankcase
Oil Level
in
Maintenance Instructions.
CHECK AND SERVICE ENGINE AIR CLEAN
ER SYSTEM
Check condition, cleanliness, and security of the
complete air cleaner system (inspect air filter
every
100 hours
). For detailed procedures, refer to
CLEANING
the
Engine Air Cleaner System
in
Maintenance Instructions
.
CHECK ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Check that the engine cooling air intake screen is
free of obstruction by grass clippings or debris and
clean if required. Also, cylinder head cooling fins
should be inspected and cleaned if any buildup of
debris is noted [remove two (2) cylinder head ac
cess panels to inspect and clean]. Refer to
CLEAN-
ING
the
Cylinder Head Cooling Fins
in
Maintenance
Instructions
.
Check performance of the cooling system by start
ing the engine, holding a hand adjacent to the cylin
der heads, and feeling the cooling airflow.
DANGER
Make sure to keep hands clear of exhaust
pipe, muffler, and moving parts when
checking airflow.
CHECK SECURITY OF DRIVE TIRE MOUNT
ING NUTS
The eight (8) Drive Tire mounting nuts should each
be torqued to 75 to 85 lb
·
ft (102 to 115 N
·
m).
INSPECT FIVE (5) DRIVE BELTS
Engine/PTO (3), Ground Drive (1) and Deck Drive (1).