Toro 74765 Operator's Manual

FormNo.3406-643RevA

TimeCutter

®

SS3225,SS4200,

andMX4200RidingMower

ModelNo.74710—SerialNo.316000001andUp
ModelNo.74720—SerialNo.316000001andUp
ModelNo.74765—SerialNo.316000001andUp

Registeratwww.T oro.com.
OriginalInstructions(EN)

*3406-643*A

ItisaviolationofCaliforniaPublicResourceCode

G014523

1

Section4442or4443touseoroperatetheengineonany
forest-covered,brush-covered,orgrass-coveredlandunless
theengineisequippedwithasparkarrester,asdenedin
Section4442,maintainedineffectiveworkingorderorthe
engineisconstructed,equipped,andmaintainedforthe
preventionofre.

ThissparkignitionsystemcomplieswithCanadianICES-002

WARNING

CALIFORNIA

Proposition65Warning

Thisproductcontainsachemicalorchemicals

knowntotheStateofCaliforniatocausecancer,

birthdefects,orreproductiveharm.

Theengineexhaustfromthisproduct

containschemicalsknowntotheStateof

Californiatocausecancer,birthdefects,

orotherreproductiveharm.

GrossHorsepower

Introduction

Thismachineisaride-on,rotary-bladelawnmowerintended
tobeusedbyhomeownersinresidentialapplications.Itis
primarilydesignedforcuttinggrassonwell-maintainedlawns.
Itisnotdesignedforcuttingbrush,mowinggrassandother
growthalongsidehighways,orforagriculturaluses.

Readthisinformationcarefullytolearnhowtooperateand
maintainyourproductproperlyandtoavoidinjuryand
productdamage.Youareresponsibleforoperatingthe
productproperlyandsafely.

YoumaycontactTorodirectlyatwww .Toro.comforproduct
safetyandoperationtrainingmaterials,accessoryinformation,
helpndingadealer,ortoregisteryourproduct.

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

Thegrossornethorsepowerofthisenginewaslaboratory
ratedbytheenginemanufacturerinaccordancewiththe
SocietyofAutomotiveEngineers(SAE)J1940.Ascongured
tomeetsafety,emission,andoperatingrequirements,
theactualenginetorqueonthisclassofmowerwillbe
signicantlylower.

Gotowww .Toro.comtoviewspecicationsonyourmower
model.

Figure1

LocatedUndertheSeat

1.Modelandserial-numberplate

Writetheproductmodelandserialnumbersinthespace
below:

ModelNo.

SerialNo.

©2016—TheToro®Company
8111LyndaleAvenueSouth
Bloomington,MN55420

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

Contactusatwww.Toro.com.

2

PrintedintheUSA

AllRightsReserved

Figure2

1.Safety-alertsymbol

Thismanualuses2wordstohighlightinformation.
Importantcallsattentiontospecialmechanicalinformation
andNoteemphasizesgeneralinformationworthyofspecial
attention.

Important:Ifyouareusingthismachineabove1500m
(5,000ft)foracontinuousperiod,ensurethattheHigh
AltitudeKithasbeeninstalledsothattheenginemeets
CARB/EPAemissionregulations.TheHighAltitude
Kitincreasesengineperformancewhilepreventing
spark-plugfouling,hardstarting,andincreased
emissions.Onceyouhaveinstalledthekit,attach
thehigh-altitudelabelnexttotheserialdecalonthe
machine.ContactanyAuthorizedToroServiceDealer
toobtaintheproperHighAltitudeKitandhigh-altitude
labelforyourmachine.Tolocateadealerconvenientto
you,accessourwebsiteatwww.T oro.comorcontactour
ToroCustomerCareDepartmentatthenumber(s)listed
inyourEmissionControlWarrantyStatement.

Removethekitfromtheengineandrestoretheengine
toitsoriginalfactorycongurationwhenrunningthe
engineunder1500m(5,000ft).Donotoperateanengine
thathasbeenconvertedforhigh-altitudeuseatlower
altitudes;otherwise,youcouldoverheatanddamage
theengine.

Ifyouareunsurewhetherornotyourmachinehasbeen
convertedforhigh-altitudeuse,lookforthefollowing
label(Figure3).

Figure3

Contents

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

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

ToroRidingMowerSafety........................................6

SlopeIndicator.......................................................7

SafetyandInstructionalDecals.................................8

ProductOverview.........................................................12

Controls...............................................................12

Operation....................................................................14

AddingFuel...........................................................14

CheckingtheEngine-OilLevel.................................15

BreakinginaNewMachine......................................15

ThinkSafetyFirst...................................................15

UnderstandingtheSafety-InterlockSystem................16

TestingtheSafety-InterlockSystem...........................16

StartingtheEngine.................................................17

OperatingtheBlades...............................................17

ShuttingOfftheEngine..........................................17

DrivingtheMachine...............................................18

StoppingtheMachine.............................................20

AdjustingtheHeightofCut.....................................20

PositioningtheSeat................................................20

AdjustingtheMotion-ControlLevers........................20

PushingtheMachinebyHand..................................21

AdjustingtheAnti-ScalpRollers...............................22

TransportingtheMachine........................................22

LoadingtheMachine..............................................22

OperatingTips......................................................24

Maintenance.................................................................25

RecommendedMaintenanceSchedule(s)......................25

PremaintenanceProcedures........................................26

RaisingtheSeat......................................................26

Lubrication...............................................................26

GreasingtheBearings.............................................26

EngineMaintenance..................................................27

ServicingtheAirCleaner.........................................27

ServicingtheEngineOil..........................................28

ServicingtheSparkPlug..........................................30

FuelSystemMaintenance...........................................31

ReplacingtheIn-LineFuelFilter...............................31

ElectricalSystemMaintenance....................................32

ChargingtheBattery...............................................32

ServicingtheFuses.................................................34

DriveSystemMaintenance.........................................34

CheckingtheTirePressure......................................34

ReleasingtheElectricBrake.....................................35

CoolingSystemMaintenance......................................35

CleaningtheEngineScreen......................................35

CleaningtheEngine-CoolingFinsand

Shrouds.............................................................35

MaintainingMower....................................................36

ServicingtheCuttingBlades.....................................36

LevelingtheMowerDeck........................................38

RemovingtheMower..............................................40

InstallingtheMower...............................................41

ReplacingtheGrassDeector..................................41

MaintainingtheMowerBelt(s).....................................42

ServicingtheMowerBelt(s).....................................42

Cleaning...................................................................44

WashingtheUndersideoftheMower........................44

Storage........................................................................45

CleaningandStoringtheMachine.............................45

Troubleshooting...........................................................46

Schematics...................................................................48

3

Safety

ThismachinehasbeendesignedinaccordancewithANSI
standardB71.1-2012.

Toreducethepotentialforinjury,complywiththesesafety
instructionsandalwayspayattentiontothesafetyalert
symbol,whichmeansCaution,Warning,orDanger—personal
safetyinstruction.Failuretocomplywiththeinstructionmay
resultinpersonalinjuryordeath.

SafeOperatingPractices

Thisproductiscapableofamputatinghandsandfeetand
throwingobjects.Alwaysfollowallsafetyinstructionsto
avoidseriousinjuryordeath.

GeneralOperation

•Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionsinthe

Operator'sManualandonthemachinebeforestarting.

•Donotplaceyourhandsorfeetnearrotatingpartsor

underthemachine.Keepclearofthedischargeopening
atalltimes.

•Allowonlyresponsibleadultswhoarefamiliarwiththe

instructionstooperatethemachine.

•Cleartheareaofobjectssuchasrocks,toys,wire,etc.,

whichcouldbepickedupandthrownbytheblade.

•Besuretheareaisclearofotherpeoplebeforemowing.

Stopthemachineifanyoneentersthearea.

•Nevercarrypassengers.

•Donotmowinreverseunlessabsolutelynecessary.

Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhilebacking
up.

•Beawareofthemowerdischargedirectionanddonot

pointitatanyone.Avoiddischargingmaterialagainsta
wallorobstruction.Materialmayricochetbacktoward
you.Stoptheblade(s)whencrossinggravelsurfaces.

•Donotoperatethemachinewithoutdeector,discharge

coverorentiregrasscollectionsysteminplaceand
working.

•Bealert,slowdownandusecautionwhenmakingturns.

Lookbehindandtothesidebeforechangingdirections.

•Neverleavearunningmachineunattended.Alwaysturn

offtheblades,settheparkingbrake,shutofftheengine,
andremovethekeyfromtheignitionswitchbefore
dismountingthemachine.

•Turnoffthebladeswhennotmowing.Shutoffthe

engine,waitforallpartstocometoacompletestopand
removethekeyfromtheignitionswitchbeforecleaning
themachine,removingthegrasscatcherorunclogging
thedischargechute.

•Operatethemachineonlyindaylightorgoodarticial

light.

•Donotoperatethemachinewhileill,tired,orunderthe

inuenceofalcoholordrugs.

•Watchfortrafcwhenoperatingnearorcrossing

roadways.

•Useextracarewhenloadingorunloadingthemachine

intoatrailerortruck.

•Wearappropriateclothingincludingeyeprotection,

hearingprotection,andsubstantial,slip-resistantshoes.
Tiebacklonghair.Donotwearjewelry.

•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.

•Choosealowgroundspeedsothatyouwillnothaveto

stopwhileoperatingonaslope.

•Donotmowslopeswhengrassiswet.Slippery

conditionsreducetractionandcouldcauseslidingand
lossofcontrol.

•Alwayskeepthedrivewheelsengagedwhengoingdown

slopes.

•Reducespeedanduseextremecautiononslopes.

•Donotmakesuddenturnsorrapidspeedchanges.

•Removeormarkobstaclessuchasrocks,treelimbs,etc.

fromthemowingarea.Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.

•Avoidsuddenstartswhenmowinguphillbecausethe

mowermaytipbackwards.

•Beawarethatlossoftractionmayoccurgoingdownhill.

Weighttransfertothefrontwheelsmaycausedrive
wheelstoslipandcauselossofbrakingandsteering.

•Alwaysavoidsuddenstartingorstoppingonaslope.If

thetireslosetraction,stopthemachine,disengagethe
bladesandproceedslowlyoffdowntheslope.

•Useextremecarewithgrasscatchersorotherattachments.

Thesecanchangethestabilityofthemachineandcause
lossofcontrol.

•Donottrytostabilizethemachinebyputtingyourfoot

ontheground.

•Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditches,steepbanksor

water.Wheelsdroppingoveredgescancauserollovers,
whichmayresultinseriousinjury,deathordrowning.

•Useawalkbehindmowerand/orahandtrimmernear

drop-offs,ditches,steepbanksorwater.

4

Children

SafeHandlingofGasoline

Tragicaccidentscanoccuriftheoperatorisnotalerttothe
presenceofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedtothe
machineandthemowingactivity.Neverassumethatchildren
willremainwhereyoulastsawthem.

•Keepchildrenoutofthemowingareaandunderthe

watchfulcareofanotherresponsibleadult,notthe
operator.

•Bealertandturnthemachineoffifchildrenenterthe

area.

•Beforeandwhilebackingorchangingdirection,look

behind,down,andside-to-sideforsmallchildren.

•Nevercarrychildrenonthemachine,evenwiththe

bladesoff.Childrenmayfalloffandbeseriouslyinjured
orinterferewithsafeoperationofthemachine.

•Childrenwhohavebeengivenridesinthepastmay

suddenlyappearinthemowingareaforanotherrideand
berunoverorbackedoverbythemower.

•Neverallowchildrentooperatethemachine.

•Useextracarewhenapproachingblindcorners,shrubs,

trees,theendofafenceorotherobjectsthatmayobscure
vision.

TowingSafety

•Donotattachtowedequipmentexceptatthehitchpoint.

•Followtheattachmentmanufacturer'srecommendation

forweightlimitsfortowedequipmentandtowingon
slopes.Towedweightmustnotexceedtheweightof
themachine,operator,andballast.Usecounterweights
orwheelweightsasdescribedintheattachment,orin
towingthemachineOperator’sManual.

Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamage,useextracare
whenhandlinggasolineandotherfuels.Theyareammable
andthevaporsareexplosive.

•Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersources

ofignition.

•Useonlyanapprovedcontainer.

•Neverremovethefuelcaporaddfuelwhentheengineis

running.Allowtheenginetocoolbeforerefueling.

•Neverrefuelthemachineindoors.

•Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainerinsidewhere

thereisanopename,suchasnearawaterheateror
furnace.

•Neverllcontainersinsideavehicleoronatruckor

trailerwithaplasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainersonthe
groundawayfromyourvehiclebeforelling.

•Removefuel-poweredequipmentfromthetruckortrailer

andrefuelitontheground.Ifthisisnotpossible,then
refuelsuchequipmentwithaportablecontainer,rather
thanfromagasolinedispensernozzle.

•Keepthenozzleincontactwiththerimofthefueltank

orcontaineropeningatalltimesuntilthefuelingis
complete.Donotuseanozzlelock-opendevice.

•Ifyouspillfuelonclothing,changeyourclothing

immediately.

•Neveroverllthefueltank.Replacethefuelcapand

tightenitsecurely.

•Neverallowchildrenorothersinorontowedequipment.

•Onslopes,theweightofthetowedequipmentmaycause

lossoftraction,increasedriskofrollover,andlossof
control.Reducethetowedweightandslowdown.

•Thestoppingdistanceincreaseswiththeweightofthe

towedload.Travelslowlyandallowextradistancetostop.

•Makewideturnstokeeptheattachmentclearofthe

machine.

5

GeneralService

•Neveroperateamachineinsideaclosedarea.Engine

exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,whichisanodorless,
deadlypoisonthatcankillyou.

•Keepnutsandboltstight,especiallythebladeattachment

bolts.Keepequipmentingoodcondition.

•Neverinterferewiththeintendedfunctionofasafety

deviceortoreducetheprotectionprovidedbyasafety
device.Checktheirproperoperationregularly.

•Keepthemachinefreeofgrass,leaves,orotherdebris

buildup.Cleanupoilorfuelspillsandfuel-soakeddebris.
Allowthemachinetocoolbeforestoring.

•Stopandinspecttheequipmentifyoustrikeanobject.

Repair,ifnecessary,beforerestarting.

•Nevermakeanyadjustmentsorrepairswiththeengine

running.

•Grasscatchercomponentsaresubjecttowear,damage

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

•Batterygasescanexplode.Keepcigarettes,sparks,and

amesawayfromthebattery.

•Ifloadingthemachineontoatrailerortruck,useasingle,

full-widthramponly.Therampangleshouldnotexceed
15degrees.

•Removingstandardoriginalequipmentpartsand

accessoriesmayalterthewarranty,traction,andsafety
ofthemachine.FailuretouseoriginalToropartscould
causeseriousinjuryordeath.Makingunauthorized
changestotheengine,fuelorventingsystem,mayviolate
EPAandCARBregulations.

•Replaceallpartsincluding,butnotlimitedto,tires,belts,

blades,andfuelsystemcomponentswithoriginalToro
parts.

•Mowerbladesaresharpandcancut.Wraptheblade(s)or

wearthickly-paddedgloves,anduseextracautionwhen
servicingthem.

•Checkforproperbrakeoperationfrequently .Adjustand

serviceasrequired.

•Maintainorreplacesafetyandinstructiondecalsas

necessary.

•UseonlygenuineTororeplacementpartstoensurethat

originalstandardsaremaintained.

ToroRidingMowerSafety

ThefollowinglistcontainssafetyinformationspecictoToro
productsorothersafetyinformationthatyoumustknowthat
maynotbeincludedintheANSIstandards.

•Shutofftheengine,movethemotion-controlleversto

NEUTRALandoutwardtothePARKposition,disengage
theblade-controlswitch,removethekeyfromthe
ignitionswitch,anddisconnectthespark-plugwire(s)
beforeperforminganyservice,repairs,maintenance,or
adjustments.

•Keephands,feet,hair,andlooseclothingawayfrom

attachmentdischargearea,undersideofmowerandany
movingpartswhileengineisrunning.

•Donottouchequipmentorattachmentpartswhichmay

behotfromoperation.Allowtocoolbeforeattempting
tomaintain,adjustorservice.

•Batteryacidispoisonousandcancauseburns.Avoid

contactwithskin,eyes,andclothing.Protectyourface,
eyes,andclothingwhenworkingwithabattery.

6

SlopeIndicator

G011841

Figure4

Thispagemaybecopiedforpersonaluse.

1.Themaximumslopeyoucansafelyoperatethemachineonis15degrees.Usetheslopecharttodeterminethedegreeofslope
ofhillsbeforeoperating.Donotoperatethismachineonaslopegreaterthan15degrees.Foldalongtheappropriateline
tomatchtherecommendedslope.

2.Alignthisedgewithaverticalsurface,atree,building,fencepole,etc.

3.Exampleofhowtocompareslopewithfoldededge.

7

SafetyandInstructionalDecals

Safetydecalsandinstructionsareeasilyvisibletotheoperatorandarelocatednearanyareaofpotential
danger.Replaceanydecalthatisdamagedorlost.

93-7009

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

2.Cutting/dismembermenthazardofhandorfoot,mower
blade—stayawayfrommovingparts.

119-8814

1.Parkingposition4.Neutral

2.Fast5.Reverse

3.Slow

105-7015

106-8717

1.Readtheinstructionsbeforeservicingorperforming
maintenance.

2.Checktirepressureevery25operatinghours.

3.Greaseevery25operatinghours.

4.Engine

119-8815

1.Parkingposition4.Neutral

2.Fast5.Reverse

3.Slow

Manufacturer'sMark

1.Indicatesthebladeisidentiedasapartfromtheoriginal
machinemanufacturer.

8

131-4036

1.Maximumdrawbarpull36kg(80lb)

2.ReadtheOperator'sManual.

132-0872

119-8871

1.Heightofcut5.76mm(3inches)

2.115mm(4.5inches)6.63mm(2.5inches)

3.101mm(4inches)7.50mm(2inches)

4.88mm(3.5inches)8.38mm(1.5inches)

121-2989

1.Bypassleverpositionfor
pushingthemachine

2.Bypassleverpositionfor
operatingthemachine

1.Thrownobject
hazard—keepbystanders
awayfromthemachine.

2.Thrownobjecthazard,
raisedbafe—donot
operatethemachinewith
anopendeck;usea
baggerorabafe.

3.Severinghazardofhand

4.Entanglement

BatterySymbols

Someorallofthesesymbolsareonyourbattery

1.Explosionhazard

2.Nore,opename,or
smoking

3.Causticliquid/chemical
burnhazard

4.Weareyeprotection.9.Flusheyesimmediately

5.ReadtheOperator's

Manual.

6.Keepbystandersasafe

7.Weareyeprotection;

8.Batteryacidcancause

10.Containslead;donot

orfoot—keepawayfrom
movingparts.

hazard—keepaway
frommovingparts;keep
allguardsandshieldsin
place.

distancefromthebattery.

explosivegasescan
causeblindnessandother
injuries.

blindnessorsevereburns.

withwaterandgetmedical
helpfast

discard

9

121-0771

1.Choke4.Slow

2.Fast

3.Continuousvariablesetting

131–3947

5.Powertake-off(PTO),blade-controlswitch

1.Trim—slow

2.Tow—medium

3.Mow—fast

10

132-0869

1.Warning—readthe
Operator'sManual.

2.Warning—beforeservicing,
engagetheparkingbrake,
removethekeyfromthe
ignitionswitchandthe
sparkplugconnection.

3.Cuttinghazardofhand,
mowerblade;pinching
hazardofhand,belt—keep
handsandfeetawayfrom
movingparts;keepall
guardsandshieldsinplace.

4.Thrownobject
hazard—keepbystanders
awayfromthemachine;
removedebrisfromthe
areabeforemowing;keep
thedeectorshielddown.

5.Ramptipping
hazard—whenloading
ontoatrailer,donotuse
dualramps;onlyusea
singlerampwideenough
forthemachineandthat
hasaninclinelessthan
15degrees;backupthe
ramp(inreverse)anddrive
forwardofftheramp.

6.Bodilyharmhazard—no
riders;lookbehindyou
whenmowinginreverse.

7.Tippinghazardon
slopes—donotuseon
slopesnearopenwater;do
notuseonslopesgreater
than15degrees.

11

ProductOverview

Figure6

ControlPanel

Figure5

Modelwith81cm(32-inch)DeckShown

1.Footrest8.Engine

2.Deector

3.Height-of-cutlever

4.Motion-controllever

5.Smart-speedlever

6.Controlpanel

7.Operatorseat

9.Fuel-tankcap

10.Reardrivewheel

11.Washouttting

12.Mowerdeck

13.Frontcasterwheels

Controls

BecomefamiliarwithallofthecontrolsinFigure5and

Figure6beforeyoustarttheengineandoperatethemachine.

1.Throttle/Choke

2.Ignitionswitch

3.Blade-controlswitch
(powertakeoff)

IgnitionSwitch

Theignitionswitchhas3positions:OFF,RUN,andSTART.
ThekeyturnstoSTARTandmovesbacktoRUNupon
release.TurningthekeytotheOFFpositionshutsoffthe
engine;however,alwaysremovethekeyfromtheignition
switchwhenleavingthemachinetopreventsomeonefrom
accidentallystartingtheengine(Figure6).

Throttle/ChokeControl

Thethrottleandchokearecombinedinto1control
lever.Thethrottlecontrolstheenginespeedandhasa
continuous-variablesettingfromtheSLOWpositiontothe
FASTposition.Engagethechokebymovingtheleverpast
theFASTsettinguntilitstops(Figure6).

Itmaybenecessarytoholdtheleveragainstthestop,inthe
chokeposition,whiletryingtostarttheengine.

Note:Awarmorhotenginemaynotrequirechoking.

Blade-ControlSwitch(PowerTakeoff)

Theblade-controlswitch,representedbyapowertakeoff
(PTO)symbol,engagesanddisengagespowertothemower
blades(Figure6).

Motion-ControlLeversandPark
Position

Themotion-controlleversarespeed-sensitivecontrolsof
independent-wheelmotors.Movingaleverforwardor
backwardturnsthewheelonthesamesideforwardorin
reverse;wheelspeedisproportionaltotheamountthelever

12

ismoved.Movethecontrolleversoutwardfromthecenter

G014521

1

tothePARKpositionwhenexitingthemachine(Figure14).
Alwayspositionthemotion-controlleversintothePARK
positionwhenyoustopthemachineorleaveitunattended.

SmartSpeed™ControlSystemLever

TheSmartSpeed™Control-Systemlever,locatedbelowthe
operatingposition,givestheoperatorachoicetodrivethe
machineat3speedranges—trim,tow ,andmow(Figure17).

Fuel-PresenceWindow

hefuelwindowlocatedontheleft-handsideofthemachine,
canbeusedtoverifythepresenceofgasolineinthetank
(Figure7).

Figure7

1.Fuel-presencewindow

Height-of-CutLever

Theheight-of-cutleverallowsyoutoraiseandlowerthe
deckfromtheseatedposition.Movingtheleverup(toward
you)raisesthedeck;movingtheleverdown(awayfromyou)
lowersthedeck.Donotadjusttheheight-of-cutwhilethe
machineismoving(Figure5).

13

Operation

Note:Determinetheleftandrightsidesofthemachine

fromthenormaloperatingposition.

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

overthewinterunlessyouuseafuelstabilizer.

•Donotaddoiltogasoline.

DANGER

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

•Alwaysplacegasolinecontainersontheground
awayfromyourvehiclebeforelling.

•Donotllgasolinecontainersinsideavehicleor
onatruckortrailerbedbecauseinteriorcarpets
orplastictruckbedlinersmayinsulatethe
containerandslowthelossofanystaticcharge.

•Whenpractical,removegas-poweredequipment
fromthetruckortrailerandrefueltheequipment
withitswheelsontheground.

•Ifthisisnotpossible,thenrefuelsuch
equipmentonatruckortrailerfromaportable
containerratherthanfromagasolinedispenser
nozzle.

•Ifyoumustuseafueldispensernozzle,keepthe
nozzleincontactwiththerimofthefueltank
orcontaineropeningatalltimesuntilfuelingis
complete.

DANGER

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

•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.

WARNING

Gasolineisharmfulorfatalifswallowed.Long-term
exposuretovaporscancauseseriousinjuryand
illness.

•Avoidprolongedbreathingofvapors.

•Keepfaceawayfromnozzleandgastankor
conditionerbottleopening.

•Avoidcontactwithskin;washoffspillswith
soapandwater.

UsingStabilizer/Conditioner

Useafuelstabilizer/conditionerinthemachinetoprovide
thefollowingbenets:

•Keepsgasolinefreshduringstorageof90daysorless.

Forlongerstorageitisrecommendedthatthefueltank
bedrained.

•Cleanstheenginewhileitruns

•Eliminatesgum-likevarnishbuildupinthefuelsystem,

whichcauseshardstarting

Important:Donotusefueladditivescontaining
methanolorethanol.

Addthecorrectamountoffuelstabilizer/conditioner
tothegasoline.

Note:Afuelstabilizer/conditionerismosteffective
whenmixedwithfreshgasoline.T ominimizethechance

14

ofvarnishdepositsinthefuelsystem,usefuelstabilizer

g027243

A

B

E

D

C

atalltimes.

FillingtheFuelTank

Note:Ensurethattheengineisshutoffandthemotion

controlsareintheparkedposition.

ThinkSafetyFirst

Pleasereadallsafetyinstructionsandsymbolsinthesafety
section.Knowingthisinformationcouldhelpyouor
bystandersavoidinjury.

DANGER

Note:Youcanusethefuelwindowtoverifythepresenceof

gasolinebeforellingthetank(Figure8).

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

Operatingthemachineonwetgrassorsteepslopes
cancauseslidingandlossofcontrol.

•Donotoperateonslopesgreaterthan15degrees.

•Reducespeedanduseextremecautionon
slopes.

•Donotoperatethemachinenearwater.

DANGER

Wheelsdroppingoveredgescancauserollovers,
whichmayresultinseriousinjury,death,or
drowning.

Donotoperatethemachineneardrop-offs.

Figure8

CheckingtheEngine-OilLevel

Beforeyoustarttheengineandusethemachine,check
theoillevelintheenginecrankcase;refertoCheckingthe

Engine-OilLevel(page28).

BreakinginaNewMachine

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

1.Safezone—usethe
machinehere.

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

15

Figure9

3.Water

CAUTION

G009027

1

2

TestingtheSafety-Interlock

Thismachineproducessoundlevelsinexcessof
85dBAattheoperator’searandcancausehearing
lossthroughextendedperiodsofexposure.

Wearhearingprotectionwhenoperatingthis
machine.

Useingprotectiveequipmentforeyes,ears,hands,feet,and
headisrecommended.

Figure10

1.Weareyeprotection.2.Wearhearingprotection.

Understandingthe Safety-InterlockSystem

WARNING

Ifthesafety-interlockswitchesaredisconnectedor
damaged,themachinecouldoperateunexpectedly,
causingpersonalinjury.

System

Testthesafety-interlocksystembeforeyouusethemachine
eachtime.Ifthesafetysystemdoesnotoperateasdescribed
below,haveanAuthorizedServiceDealerrepairthesafety
systemimmediately.

1.Whilesittingontheseat,withthecontrolleversinthe
PARKposition,andmovetheblade-controlswitchto
theONposition.Trystartingtheengine;theengine
shouldnotstart.

2.Whilesittingontheseat,movetheblade-controlswitch
totheOFFposition.Moveeithermotioncontrol
levertothecenter,unlockedposition.Trystartingthe
engine;theengineshouldnotstart.Repeatwiththe
othermotion-controllever.

3.Whilesittingontheseat,movethebladecontrolswitch
totheOFFposition,andlockthemotion-controllevers
inthePARKposition.Starttheengine.Whilethe
engineisrunning,engagetheblade-controlswitch,and
riseslightlyfromtheseat;theengineshouldshutoff.

4.Whilesittingontheseat,movetheblade-controlswitch
totheOFFposition,andlockthemotion-controllevers
inthePARKposition.Starttheengine.Whilethe
engineisrunning,movethemotion-controlleversto
thecenter,unlockedposition,engagetheblade-control
switch,andriseslightlyfromtheseat;theengine
shouldshutoff.

•Donottamperwiththeinterlockswitches.

•Checktheoperationoftheinterlockswitches
dailyandreplaceanydamagedswitchesbefore
operatingthemachine.

Thesafety-interlocksystemisdesignedtopreventtheengine
fromstartingunless:

•Thebladesaredisengaged.

•Themotion-controlleversareinthePARKposition.

Thesafety-interlocksystemalsoisdesignedtoshutoffthe
enginewheneverthecontrolleversareoutofthePARK
positionandyourisefromtheseat.

16