Toro 74636 Operator's Manual

FormNo.3385-334RevA

TimeCutter

®

SS4260Riding

Mower

ModelNo.74636—SerialNo.314000001andUp

Registeratwww.T oro.com.
OriginalInstructions(EN)

*3385-334*A

Thismachineisaride-on,rotary-bladelawnmowerintended

G014523

1

tobeusedbyhomeownersinresidentialapplications.Itis
primarilydesignedforcuttinggrassonwell-maintainedlawns.
Itisnotdesignedforcuttingbrush,mowinggrassandother
growthalongsidehighways,orforagriculturaluses.

WARNING

CALIFORNIA

Proposition65Warning

Thisproductcontainsachemicalorchemicals

knowntotheStateofCaliforniatocausecancer,

birthdefects,orotherreproductiveharm.

Theengineexhaustfromthisproduct

containschemicalsknowntotheStateof

Californiatocausecancer,birthdefects,

orotherreproductiveharm.

Important:Thisengineisnotequippedwithaspark
arrestermufer.ItisaviolationofCaliforniaPublic
ResourceCodeSection4442touseoroperatetheengine
onanyforest-covered,brush-covered,orgrass-covered
land.Otherstatesorfederalareasmayhavesimilarlaws.

Introduction

Readthisinformationcarefullytolearnhowtooperateand
maintainyourproductproperlyandtoavoidinjuryand
productdamage.Youareresponsibleforoperatingthe
productproperlyandsafely.

YoumaycontactTorodirectlyatwww .Toro.comforproduct
andaccessoryinformation,helpndingadealer,ortoregister
yourproduct.

Wheneveryouneedservice,genuineT oroparts,oradditional
information,contactanAuthorizedServiceDealerorToro
CustomerServiceandhavethemodelandserialnumbersof
yourproductready.Figure1identiesthelocationofthe
modelandserialnumbersontheproduct.Writethenumbers
inthespaceprovided.

ThissparkignitionsystemcomplieswithCanadianICES-002.

Theenclosed

Engine Owner's Man ual

issuppliedfor
informationregardingtheUSEnvironmentalProtection
Agency(EPA)andtheCaliforniaEmissionControl
Regulationofemissionsystems,maintenance,and
warranty.Replacementsmaybeorderedthroughthe
enginemanufacturer.

Formodelswithstatedenginehorsepower,thegross
horsepoweroftheenginewaslaboratoryratedbytheengine
manufacturerinaccordancewithSAEJ1940.Ascongured
tomeetsafety,emission,andoperatingrequirements,the
actualenginehorsepoweronthisclassoflawnmowerwill
besignicantlylower.

Figure1

Undertheseat

1.Modelandserialnumberplate

Writetheproductmodelandserialnumbersinthespace
below:

ModelNo.

SerialNo.

Thismanualidentiespotentialhazardsandhassafety
messagesidentiedbythesafetyalertsymbol(Figure2),
whichsignalsahazardthatmaycauseseriousinjuryordeath
ifyoudonotfollowtherecommendedprecautions.

Figure2

1.Safetyalertsymbol.

©2014—TheToro®Company
8111LyndaleAvenueSouth
Bloomington,MN55420

Thismanualuses2wordstohighlightinformation.
Importantcallsattentiontospecialmechanicalinformation
andNoteemphasizesgeneralinformationworthyofspecial
attention.

Contactusatwww.Toro.com.

2

PrintedintheUSA.

AllRightsReserved

Contents

Introduction..................................................................2

Safety...........................................................................4

SafeOperatingPractices...........................................4

SafetyandInstructionalDecals.................................6

ProductOverview.........................................................10

Controls...............................................................10

Operation....................................................................11

AddingFuel...........................................................11

CheckingtheEngine-oilLevel..................................13

BreakinginaNewMachine......................................13

ThinkSafetyFirst...................................................13

StartingtheEngine.................................................14

OperatingtheBlades...............................................15

TestingtheSafety-interlockSystem...........................16

StoppingtheEngine...............................................16

Driving.................................................................16

StoppingtheMachine.............................................18

AdjustingtheHeight-of-Cut....................................18

AdjustingtheAnti-scalpRollers(for42-inch

MowerDecks)....................................................18

PositioningtheSeat................................................19

AdjustingtheMotion-controlLevers.........................19

PushingtheMachinebyHand..................................19

OperatingTips......................................................21

Maintenance.................................................................22

RecommendedMaintenanceSchedule(s)......................22

PremaintenanceProcedures........................................23

RaisingtheSeat......................................................23

Lubrication...............................................................23

GreasingtheBearings.............................................23

EngineMaintenance..................................................24

ServicingtheAirCleaner.........................................24

ServicingtheEngineOil..........................................24

ServicingtheSparkPlug..........................................26

CleaningtheBlowerHousing...................................27

FuelSystemMaintenance...........................................27

ReplacingtheIn-lineFuelFilter................................27

ElectricalSystemMaintenance....................................28

ChargingtheBattery...............................................28

ServicingtheFuses.................................................30

DriveSystemMaintenance.........................................30

CheckingtheTirePressure......................................30

ReleasingtheElectricBrake.....................................31

MowerMaintenance...................................................31

ServicingtheCuttingBlades.....................................31

LevelingtheMowerDeck........................................34

RemovingtheMower..............................................36

InstallingtheMower...............................................37

ReplacingtheGrassDeector..................................37

MowerBeltMaintenance............................................38

InspectingtheBelts................................................38

ReplacingtheMowerBelt........................................38

Cleaning...................................................................40

WashingtheUndersideoftheMower........................40

Storage........................................................................41

CleaningandStorage..............................................41

Troubleshooting...........................................................42

Schematics...................................................................44

3

Safety

Improperuseormaintenancebytheoperatororowner
canresultininjury.Toreducethepotentialforinjury,

complywiththesesafetyinstructions,andpayattentionto
thesafetyalertsymbol,whichmeansCaution,Warning,or

Danger—“personalsafetyinstruction.”Failuretocomply
withtheinstructionsmayresultinpersonalinjuryor
death.

Important:Thismachinewasmanufacturedaccording
totheappropriateregulatorystandardsineffectatthe
timeofmanufacture.Modifyingthismachineinany
waymaycauseittobeoutofcompliancewiththose
standardsandwiththeinstructionsinthis

Man ual

madebyeitherthemanufactureroranAuthorizedToro
Dealer.

Thisproductiscapableofamputatinghandsandfeet.Follow
allsafetyinstructionstoavoidseriousinjuryordeath.

Theowner/usercanpreventandisresponsibleforaccidents
orinjuriesoccurringtopeople,ordamagetoproperty.

Important:Theadditionofattachmentsmadeby
othermanufacturersthatdonotmeetAmerican
NationalStandardsInstitutecerticationwillcause
noncomplianceofthismachine.

.Modicationstothismachineshouldonlybe

Operator’ s

•Nevercarrypassengers.

•Donotmowinreverseunlessabsolutelynecessary.

Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhilebacking
up.

•Beawareofthemowerdischargedirectionanddonot

pointitatanyone.Avoiddischargingmaterialagainsta
wallorobstruction.Materialmayricochetbacktoward
theoperator.Stoptheblade(s)whencrossinggravel
surfaces.

•Donotoperatethemachinewithoutdeector,discharge

coverorentiregrasscollectionsysteminplaceand
working.

•Bealert,slowdownandusecautionwhenmakingturns.

Lookbehindandtothesidebeforechangingdirections.

•Neverleavearunningmachineunattended.Alwaysturn

offblades,setparkingbrake,stopengine,andremovekey
beforedismounting.

•Turnoffbladeswhennotmowing.Stoptheengine,wait

forallpartstocometoacompletestopandremovethe
keybeforecleaningthemachine,removingthegrass
catcheroruncloggingthedischargechute.

•Operatethemachineonlyindaylightorgoodarticial

light.

•Donotoperatethemachinewhileundertheinuence

ofalcoholordrugs.

SafeOperatingPractices

Thisproductiscapableofamputatinghandsandfeetand
throwingobjects.Alwaysfollowallsafetyinstructionsto
avoidseriousinjuryordeath.

ThefollowinginstructionsareadaptedfromANSIstandard
B71.1-2012.AllthelanguagewithinthisANSIstandard
appliestothismachine;however,duetotheapplicationof
thestandardacrossmanydifferenttypesofproductssome
statementscanseemgeneralormisleading.Intheseinstances,
Torohasrenedthestatementtoconveythemeaningofthe
standardwhilebettermatchingtheproductthisOperator's
Manualpertains.Safetyinformationinadditiontothe
instructionsfoundintheANSIstandardbelowcanbefound
inToroRidingMowerSafetyattheendofthissection.

GeneralOperation

•Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionsinthe

operator'smanualandonthemachinebeforestarting.

•Donotplacehandsorfeetnearrotatingpartsorunder

themachine.Keepclearofthedischargeopeningatall
times.

•Allowonlyresponsibleadultswhoarefamiliarwiththe

instructionstooperatethemachine.

•Cleartheareaofobjectssuchasrocks,toys,wire,etc.,

whichcouldbepickedupandthrownbytheblade.

•Besuretheareaisclearofotherpeoplebeforemowing.

Stopthemachineifanyoneentersthearea.

•Watchfortrafcwhenoperatingnearorcrossing

roadways.

•Useextracarewhenloadingorunloadingthemachine

intoatrailerortruck.

•Alwaysweareyeprotectionwhenoperatingthemower.

•Alwaysfollowtherecommendationsforanyapplication

ofcounterweights.

•Lightningcancausesevereinjuryordeath.Iflightning

isseenorthunderisheardinthearea,donotoperate
themachine;seekshelter.

SlopeOperation

Slopesareamajorfactorrelatedtolossofcontroland
tip-overaccidents,whichcanresultinsevereinjuryordeath.
Operationonallslopesrequiresextracaution.Ifyoucannot
backuptheslopeorifyoufeeluneasyonit,donotmowit.

•Donotmowslopesgreaterthan15degrees.

•Watchforditches,holes,rocks,dips,andrisesthatchange

theoperatingangle,asroughterraincouldoverturnthe
machine.

•Choosealowgroundspeedsoyouwillnothavetostop

whileoperatingonaslope.

•Donotmowslopeswhengrassiswet.Slippery

conditionsreducetractionandcouldcauseslidingand
lossofcontrol.

4

•Alwayskeepthedrivewheelsengagedwhengoingdown

slopes.

•Reducespeedanduseextremecautiononslopes.

•Donotmakesuddenturnsorrapidspeedchanges.

•Removeormarkobstaclessuchasrocks,treelimbs,etc.

fromthemowingarea.Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.

•Avoidsuddenstartswhenmowinguphillbecausethe

mowermaytipbackwards.

•Beawarethatlossoftractionmayoccurgoingdownhill.

Weighttransfertothefrontwheelsmaycausedrive
wheelstoslipandcauselossofbrakingandsteering.

•Alwaysavoidsuddenstartingorstoppingonaslope.If

tireslosetraction,stopthemachine,disengagetheblades
andproceedslowlyofftheslope.

•Useextremecarewithgrasscatchersorotherattachments.

Thesecanchangethestabilityofthemachineandcause
lossofcontrol.

•Donottrytostabilizethemachinebyputtingyourfoot

ontheground.

•Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditches,steepbanksor

water.Wheelsdroppingoveredgescancauserollovers,
whichmayresultinseriousinjury,deathordrowning.

•Useawalkbehindmowerand/orahandtrimmernear

drop-offs,ditches,steepbanksorwater.

Children

Tragicaccidentscanoccuriftheoperatorisnotalerttothe
presenceofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedtothe
machineandthemowingactivity.Neverassumethatchildren
willremainwhereyoulastsawthem.

•Keepchildrenoutofthemowingareaandunderthe

watchfulcareofanotherresponsibleadult,notthe
operator.

•Bealertandturnthemachineoffifchildrenenterthe

area.

•Beforeandwhilebackingorchangingdirection,look

behind,down,andside-to-sideforsmallchildren.

•Nevercarrychildren,evenwiththebladesoff.Theymay

falloffandbeseriouslyinjuredorinterferewithsafe
machineoperation.

•Childrenwhohavebeengivenridesinthepastmay

suddenlyappearinthemowingareaforanotherrideand
berunoverorbackedoverbythemower.

•Neverallowchildrentooperatethemachine.

•Useextracarewhenapproachingblindcorners,shrubs,

trees,theendofafenceorotherobjectsthatmayobscure
vision.

TowingSafety

•Donotattachtowedequipmentexceptatthehitchpoint.

•Followtheattachmentmanufacturer'srecommendation

forweightlimitsfortowedequipmentandtowingon
slopes.Towedweightmustnotexceedtheweightofthe

machine,operator,andballast.Usecounterweightsor
wheelweightsasdescribedintheattachment,orinthe
pullingmachineOperator’sManual.

•Neverallowchildrenorothersinorontowedequipment.

•Onslopes,theweightofthetowedequipmentmaycause

lossoftraction,increasedriskofrollover,andlossof
control.Reducethetowedweightandslowdown.

•Stoppingdistanceincreaseswiththeweightofthetowed

load.Travelslowlyandallowextradistancetostop.

•Makewideturnstokeeptheattachmentclearofthe

machine.

SafeHandlingofGasoline

Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamage,useextracare
whenhandlinggasolineandotherfuels.Theyareammable
andthevaporsareexplosive.

•Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersources

ofignition.

•Useonlyanapprovedcontainer.

•Neverremovethegascaporaddfuelwhentheengineis

running.Allowtheenginetocoolbeforerefueling.

•Neverrefuelthemachineindoors.

•Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainerinsidewhere

thereisanopename,suchasnearawaterheateror
furnace.

•Neverllcontainersinsideavehicleoronatruckor

trailerwithaplasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainersonthe
groundawayfromyourvehiclebeforelling.

•Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruckortrailer

andrefuelitontheground.Ifthisisnotpossible,then
refuelsuchequipmentwithaportablecontainer,rather
thanfromagasolinedispensernozzle.

•Keepthenozzleincontactwiththerimofthefueltank

orcontaineropeningatalltimesuntilthefuelingis
complete.Donotuseanozzlelock-opendevice.

•Iffuelisspilledonclothing,changeclothingimmediately.

•Neveroverllthefueltank.Replacegascapandtighten

securely.

GeneralService

•Neveroperateamachineinsideaclosedarea.Engine

exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,whichisanodorless,
deadlypoisonthatcankillyou.

•Keepnutsandboltstight,especiallythebladeattachment

bolts.Keepequipmentingoodcondition.

•Neverinterferewiththeintendedfunctionofasafety

deviceortoreducetheprotectionprovidedbyasafety
device.Checktheirproperoperationregularly.

•Keepthemachinefreeofgrass,leaves,orotherdebris

build-up.Cleanupoilorfuelspillagefuelsoakeddebris.
Allowthemachinetocoolbeforestoring.

•Stopandinspecttheequipmentifyoustrikeanobject.

Repair,ifnecessary,beforerestarting.

5

•Nevermakeanyadjustmentsorrepairswiththeengine

running.

•Checkforproperbrakeoperationfrequently .Adjustand

serviceasrequired.

•Grasscatchercomponentsaresubjecttowear,damage

anddeterioration,whichcouldexposemovingpartsor
allowobjectstobethrown.Frequentlycheckcomponents
andreplacewithmanufacturers'recommendedparts,
whennecessary.

•Mowerbladesaresharpandcancut.Wraptheblade(s)or

weargloves,anduseextracautionwhenservicingthem.

SafetyandInstructionalDecals

Safetydecalsandinstructionsareeasilyvisibletotheoperatorandarelocatednearanyareaofpotential
danger.Replaceanydecalthatisdamagedorlost.

93-7009

1.Warning—don'toperatethemowerwiththedeectorupor
removed;keepthedeectorinplace.

2.Cutting/dismembermenthazardofhandorfoot,mower
blade—stayawayfrommovingparts.

•Maintainorreplacesafetyandinstructiondecalsas

necessary.

•UseonlygenuineTororeplacementpartstoensurethat

originalstandardsaremaintained.

106-8717

1.Readtheinstructionsbeforeservicingorperforming
maintenance.

2.Checktirepressureevery25operatinghours.

3.Greaseevery25operatinghours.

4.Engine

Manufacturer'sMark

1.Indicatesthebladeisidentiedasapartfromtheoriginal
machinemanufacturer.

105-7015

Formodelswith42-inchdecks

110-6691

1.Thrownobjecthazard—keepbystandersasafedistance
fromthemachine.

2.Thrownobjecthazard,mower—donotoperatewithoutthe
deector,dischargecover,orgrasscollectionsystemin
place.

3.Cutting/dismembermentofhandorfoot—stayawayfrom
movingparts.

114-1606

1.Entanglementhazard,belt—keepallguardsinplace.

6

119-8814

1.Parkingposition4.Neutral

2.Fast5.Reverse

3.Slow

121-2989

119-8815

1.Parkingposition4.Neutral

2.Fast5.Reverse

3.Slow

1.Bypassleverpositionfor
pushingthemachine

2.Bypassleverpositionfor

BatterySymbols

Someorallofthesesymbolsareonyourbattery

1.Explosionhazard

2.Nore,opename,or
smoking.

3.Causticliquid/chemical
burnhazard

4.Weareyeprotection9.Flusheyesimmediately

5.ReadtheOperator's

Manual.

6.Keepbystandersasafe

7.Weareyeprotection;

8.Batteryacidcancause

10.Containslead;donot

operatingthemachine

distancefromthebattery.

explosivegasescan
causeblindnessandother
injuries

blindnessorsevereburns.

withwaterandgetmedical
helpfast.

discard.

119-8871

Certainmodelsonly

1.Height-of-cut

7

120-2239

1.Warning—readtheOperator'sManual.5.Warning—donotusesplitramps,useafullrampswhen

2.Warning—readtheinstructionsbeforeservicingorperforming
maintenance;movethemotioncontrolleverstothepark
(brake)position,removetheignitionkeyanddisconnectthe
sparkplugwire.

3.Cutting/dismembermenthazard,mowerblade;entanglement
hazard,belt—stayawayfrommovingparts,keepallguards
andshieldsinplace.

4.Thrownobjecthazard—keepbystandersasafedistancefrom
themachine,pickupdebrisbeforeoperating,keepdeector
inplace.

transportingmachine.

6.Lossoftraction/controlhazard,slopes—lossoftraction/control
onaslope,disengagethebladecontrolswitch(PTO),
proceedofftheslopeslowly.

7.Crushing/dismembermenthazardofbystanders,reversing;
crushing/dismembermenthazardofbystanders—donotcarry
passengers,lookbehindanddownwhenreversing.

8.Tippinghazard—donotmowslopesgreaterthan15degrees,
avoidsuddenandsharpturnswhileonslopes.

8

121-0772

1.Fast

2.Continuous-variablesetting5.Powertake-off(PTO),blade-controlswitch

3.Slow

4.Choke

130-0780

1.Slow(trimandtow)2.Fast(mowandgo)

109-7076

9

ProductOverview

Figure3

1.Deector4.Height-of-cutlever

2.Reardrivewheel

3.Motion-controllevers

5.Operatorseat

6.SmartSpeed™lever

Controls

BecomefamiliarwithallofthecontrolsinFigure3and
Figure4beforeyoustarttheengineandoperatethemachine.

7.Footrest

8.Engine11.Engineguard

9.Fuel-tankcap12.Frontcasterwheel

10.Controlpanel

IgnitionSwitch

Theignitionswitchhas3positions:Off,Run,andStart.The
keywillturntoStartandmovebacktoRunuponrelease.
TurningthekeytotheOffpositionwillstoptheengine;
however,alwaysremovethekeywhenleavingthemachine
topreventsomeonefromaccidentallystartingtheengine
(Figure4).

ThrottleControl

Thethrottlecontrolstheenginespeed,andithasa
continuous-variablesettingfromSlowtoFast(Figure4).

ChokeControl

PullupontheChokecontroluntilitstopstochokethe
engine(Figure4).PushdownontheChokecontrolfor
normalengineoperation

Figure4

ControlPanel

1.Throttle3.Blade-controlswitch

2.Ignitionswitch

(powertake-off)

4.Choke

Blade-controlSwitch(PowerTake-off)

Theblade-controlswitch,representedbyapowertake-off
(PTO)symbol,engagesanddisengagespowertothemower
blades(

Figure4).

Motion-controlLeversandPark
Position

Themotion-controlleversarespeed-sensitivecontrolsof
independent-wheelmotors.Movingaleverforwardor
backwardturnsthewheelonthesamesideforwardorin

10

reverse;wheelspeedisproportionaltotheamountthelever

G014475

1

G014521

1

ismoved.Movethecontrolleversoutwardfromthecenter
totheparkposition,andexitthemachine(Figure16).Always
positionthemotion-controlleversintotheparkposition
whenyoustopthemachineorleaveitunattended.

Operation

Note:Determinetheleftandrightsidesofthemachine

fromthenormaloperatingposition.

SmartSpeed™ControlSystemLever

TheSmartSpeed™Control-Systemlever,locatedbelowthe
operatingposition,givestheoperatorachoicetodrivethe
machineat2speedranges—highandlow(Figure5).

Figure5

1.Smart-speedlever

Fuel-presenceWindow

Thefuelwindowlocatedontheleft-handsideofthemachine
canbeusedtoverifythepresenceofgasolineinthetank
(Figure6).

AddingFuel

•Forbestresults,useonlyclean,fresh(lessthan30days

old),unleadedgasolinewithanoctaneratingof87or
higher((R+M)/2ratingmethod).

•Ethanol:Gasolinewithupto10%ethanol(gasohol)

or15%MTBE(methyltertiarybutylether)byvolume
isacceptable.EthanolandMTBEarenotthesame.
Gasolinewith15%ethanol(E15)byvolumeisnot
approvedforuse.Neverusegasolinethatcontains
morethan10%ethanolbyvolume,suchasE15
(contains15%ethanol),E20(contains20%ethanol),or
E85(containsupto85%ethanol).Usingunapproved
gasolinemaycauseperformanceproblemsand/orengine
damagewhichmaynotbecoveredunderwarranty.

•Donotusegasolinecontainingmethanol.

•Donotstorefueleitherinthefueltankorfuelcontainers

overthewinterunlessafuelstabilizerisused.

•Donotaddoiltogasoline.

DANGER

Incertainconditions,gasolineisextremely
ammableandhighlyexplosive.Areorexplosion
fromgasolinecanburnyouandothersandcan
damageproperty.

Figure6

1.Fuel-presencewindow

Height-of-CutLever

Theheight-of-cutleverallowstheoperatortolowerand
raisethedeckfromtheseatedposition.Whentheleveris
movedup(towardtheoperator),thedeckisraisedfromthe
ground,andwhenmoveddown(awayfromtheoperator),it
isloweredtowardtheground.Onlyadjusttheheight-of-cut
whilethemachineisnotmoving(Figure20).

•Fillthefueltankoutdoors,inanopenarea,
whentheengineiscold.Wipeupanygasoline
thatspills.

•Neverllthefueltankinsideanenclosedtrailer.

•Donotllthefueltankcompletelyfull.Add
gasolinetothefueltankuntilthelevelis6to13
mm(1/4to1/2inch)belowthebottomofthe
llerneck.Thisemptyspaceinthetankallows
gasolinetoexpand.

•Neversmokewhenhandlinggasoline,andstay
awayfromanopenameorwheregasoline
fumesmaybeignitedbyaspark.

•Storegasolineinanapprovedcontainerand
keepitoutofthereachofchildren.Neverbuy
morethana30-daysupplyofgasoline.

•Donotoperatewithoutentireexhaustsystemin
placeandinproperworkingcondition.

11

DANGER

G014474

1

2

3

4

5

6

G014895

1

2

3

4

Incertainconditionsduringfueling,static
electricitycanbereleasedcausingasparkwhich
canignitethegasolinevapors.Areorexplosion
fromgasolinecanburnyouandothersandcan
damageproperty.

•Alwaysplacegasolinecontainersontheground
awayfromyourvehiclebeforelling.

•Donotllgasolinecontainersinsideavehicleor
onatruckortrailerbedbecauseinteriorcarpets
orplastictruckbedlinersmayinsulatethe
containerandslowthelossofanystaticcharge.

•Whenpractical,removegas-poweredequipment
fromthetruckortrailerandrefueltheequipment
withitswheelsontheground.

•Ifthisisnotpossible,thenrefuelsuch
equipmentonatruckortrailerfromaportable
container,ratherthanfromagasolinedispenser
nozzle.

•Ifagasolinedispensernozzlemustbeused,
keepthenozzleincontactwiththerimofthe
fueltankorcontaineropeningatalltimesuntil
fuelingiscomplete.

ofvarnishdepositsinthefuelsystem,usefuelstabilizer
atalltimes.

FillingtheFuelTank

Ensurethattheengineisshutoffandthemotioncontrolsare
intheparkedposition.

Important:Donotoverllfueltank.Fillthefueltank
tothebottomofthellerneck.Theemptyspaceinthe
tankallowsthefueltoexpand.Overllingmayresultin
fuelleakage,damagetotheengine,ordamagetothe
emissionssystem.

1.Cleanaroundthefuel-tankcapandremovethecap.

Note:Youcanusethefuelwindowtoverifythe
presenceofgasolinebeforellingthetank(Figure7).

2.Slowlyaddgasolineuntilthefuelreachesthebaseof
thellerneck(Figure7).

WARNING

Gasolineisharmfulorfatalifswallowed.Long-term
exposuretovaporscancauseseriousinjuryand
illness.

•Avoidprolongedbreathingofvapors.

•Keepfaceawayfromnozzleandgastankor
conditionerbottleopening.

•Avoidcontactwithskin;washoffspillagewith
soapandwater.

UsingStabilizer/Conditioner

Useafuelstabilizer/conditionerinthemachinetoprovide
thefollowingbenets:

•Keepsgasolinefreshduringstorageof90daysorless.

Forlongerstorageitisrecommendedthatthefueltank
bedrained.

•Cleanstheenginewhileitruns

•Eliminatesgum-likevarnishbuildupinthefuelsystem,

whichcauseshardstarting

Important:Donotusefueladditivescontaining
methanolorethanol.

Addthecorrectamountofgasstabilizer/conditionerto
thegas.

Note:Afuelstabilizer/conditionerismosteffective
whenmixedwithfreshgasoline.T ominimizethechance

Figure7

1.Fuel-tankcap

2.Fillopening5.Fuelwindow

3.Fillerneck

Figure8

1.Fillopening3.Fuel

2.Baseofthellerneck(do

notllpasthere)

4.Baseofthellerneck(do
notllpasthere)

6.Endofthefueltank

4.Emptyspace(forfuel
expansion)

12

3.Installthefuel-tankcapsecurely ,andtightenuntilit

G009027

1

2

clicks.

CheckingtheEngine-oilLevel

Beforeyoustarttheengineandusethemachine,checktheoil
levelintheenginecrankcase;refertoCheckingtheEngine-oil
Level(page24).

BreakinginaNewMachine

Newenginestaketimetodevelopfullpower.Mowerdecks
anddrivesystemshavehigherfrictionwhennew,placing
additionalloadontheengine.Allow40to50hoursof
break-intimefornewmachinestodevelopfullpowerand
bestperformance.

ThinkSafetyFirst

OperatingSafety

1.Safezone—usethe
TimeCutterhere

2.Useawalk-behindmower
and/orhandtrimmernear
drop-offsandwater.

Figure9

3.Water

Pleasecarefullyreadallofthesafetyinstructionsanddecals
inthesafetysection.Knowingthisinformationcouldhelp
you,yourfamily ,pets,orbystandersavoidinjury.

DANGER

Mowingonwetgrassorsteepslopescancause
slidingandlossofcontrol.

Wheelsdroppingoveredgescancauserollovers,
whichmayresultinseriousinjury,death,or
drowning.

Alossoftractionisalossofsteeringcontrol.

Toavoidlossofcontrolandpossibilityofrollover:

•Donotmowneardrop-offsornearwater.

•Donotmowslopesgreaterthan15degrees.

•Reducethespeedanduseextremecautionon
slopes.

•Whenmowingslopes,graduallyworkfrom
lowertohigherareasontheincline.

CAUTION

Thismachineproducessoundlevelsinexcessof85
dBAattheoperatorsearandcancausehearingloss
throughextendedperiodsofexposure.

Wearhearingprotectionwhenoperatingthis
machine.

Theuseofprotectiveequipmentforeyes,ears,feet,andhead
isrecommended.

Figure10

1.Wearsafetyglasses

2.Wearhearingprotection

•Avoidsuddenturnsorrapidspeedchanges.

•Turnup,intoaninclinewhenchanging
directionsonslopes.Turningdowntheslope
reducestraction.

•Attachmentschangethehandlingcharacteristics
ofthemachine.Useextracautionwhenusing
attachmentswiththemachine.

13

UnderstandingtheSafety-interlock
System

WARNING

Ifsafety-interlockswitchesaredisconnectedor
damaged,themachinecouldoperateunexpectedly
causingpersonalinjury.

•Donottamperwiththeinterlockswitches.

•Checktheoperationoftheinterlockswitches
daily,andreplaceanydamagedswitchesbefore
operatingthemachine.

Thesafety-interlocksystemisdesignedtopreventtheengine
fromstartingunless:

•Thebladesaredisengaged.

•Themotion-controlleversareintheparkposition.

Thesafety-interlocksystemalsoisdesignedtostoptheengine
wheneverthecontrolleversareoutoftheparkpositionand
yourisefromtheseat.

StartingtheEngine

1.Sitdownontheseat,andmovethemotioncontrols
outwardtotheparkposition.

2.Disengagethebladesbymovingthebladecontrol
switchtoOff(Figure11)

Figure12

1.Controlpanel4.Continuous-variable

2.Throttle

3.Fast

4.TurntheignitionkeytoStarttoenergizethestarter
(Figure13).

Note:Whentheenginestarts,releasethekey.

Important:Donotengagethestarterformore

than10secondsatatime.Iftheenginefailsto
start,allowa60secondcooldownperiodbetween
attempts.Failuretofollowtheseinstructionscan
damagethestartermotor.

setting

5.Slow

6.Chokecontrol

Figure11

1.Controlpanel2.Blade-controlswitch—Off
position

3.PullupontheChokecontrolbeforestartingacold
engine(Figure12).

Note:Awarmorhotenginemaynotrequirechoking.

14

Figure14

Figure13

1.Controlpanel

2.Ignitionkey—runposition

3.Ignitionkey—startposition

4.Off

5.Run

6.Start

7.Chokecontrol

5.Aftertheenginestarts,pushdownontheChoke
control(

Figure13).

Note:Iftheenginestallsorhesitates,pullupon
theChokecontrol,andlettheenginerunforafew
seconds.Then,pushdownontheChokecontrol.
Repeatthisasrequired.

OperatingtheBlades

Theblade-controlswitch,representedbyapowertake-off
(PTO)symbol,engagesanddisengagespowertothemower
blades.Thisswitchcontrolspowertoanyattachmentsthat
drawpowerfromtheengine,includingthemowerdeckand
cuttingblades.

1.Controlpanel2.Blade-controlswitch—On
position

DisengagingtheBlades

Pushdownontheblade-controlswitchtomoveittotheOff
position,anddisengagetheblades(Figure15).

EngagingtheBlades

Important:Donotengagethebladeswhenparkedin

tallgrass.Beltorclutchdamagecanoccur.

1.Releasepressureonthemotion-controlleversand
placethemachineinneutral.

2.MovethethrottletotheFastposition.

Note:Alwaysengagethebladeswiththethrottlein
theFastposition.

3.Pullupontheblade-controlswitchtomoveittothe
Onposition,andengagetheblades(

Figure14).

Figure15

1.Controlpanel2.Blade-controlswitch—Off

15