Toro TimeCutter SS 3216 Operator's Manual

FormNo.3381-516RevA

TimeCutter

®

SS3216Riding

Mower

ModelNo.74629—SerialNo.314000001andUp

Registeratwww.T oro.com.
OriginalInstructions(EN)

*3381-516*A

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

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

ThissparkignitionsystemcomplieswithCanadianICES-002.

WARNING

CALIFORNIA

Proposition65Warning

Thisproductcontainsachemicalorchemicals

knowntotheStateofCaliforniatocausecancer,

birthdefects,orotherreproductiveharm.

Theengineexhaustfromthisproduct

containschemicalsknowntotheStateof

Californiatocausecancer,birthdefects,

orotherreproductiveharm.

WARNING

Removingstandardoriginalequipmentpartsand
accessoriesmayalterthewarranty,traction,and
safetyofthemachine.FailuretouseoriginalToro
partscouldcauseseriousinjuryordeath.Making
unauthorizedchangestotheengine,fuelorventing
system,mayviolateEPAandCARBregulations.

Replaceallpartsincluding,butnotlimitedto,tires,
belts,blades,andfuelsystemcomponentswith
originalT oroparts.

GrossHorsepower

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

Gotowww.Toro.comtoviewspecicationsonyourmower
model.

Introduction

Readthisinformationcarefullytolearnhowtooperateand
maintainyourproductproperlyandtoavoidinjuryand
productdamage.Youareresponsibleforoperatingthe
productproperlyandsafely .

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

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

G014523

1

Figure1

Undertheseat

1.Modelandserialnumberplate

Writetheproductmodelandserialnumbersinthespace
below:

ModelNo.

SerialNo.

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

Figure2

1.Safetyalertsymbol.

Thismanualuses2wordstohighlightinformation.
Importantcallsattentiontospecialmechanicalinformation
andNoteemphasizesgeneralinformationworthyofspecial
attention.

©2013—TheToro®Company
8111LyndaleAvenueSouth
Bloomington,MN55420

2

Contactusatwww.T oro.com.

PrintedintheUSA.

AllRightsReserved

Contents

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

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

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

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

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

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

ProductOverview.........................................................11

Controls...............................................................11

Operation....................................................................12

AddingFuel...........................................................12

CheckingtheEngine-oilLevel..................................14

BreakinginaNewMachine......................................14

ThinkSafetyFirst...................................................14

StartingtheEngine.................................................15

OperatingtheBlades...............................................16

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

StoppingtheEngine...............................................17

Driving.................................................................17

StoppingtheMachine.............................................19

AdjustingtheHeight-of-Cut....................................19

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

AdjustingtheMotion-controlLevers.........................20

PushingtheMachinebyHand..................................20

OperatingTips......................................................22

Maintenance.................................................................23

RecommendedMaintenanceSchedule(s)......................23

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

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

Lubrication...............................................................24

GreasingtheBearings.............................................24

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

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

ServicingtheEngineOil..........................................25

ServicingtheSparkPlug..........................................27

FuelSystemMaintenance...........................................28

ReplacingtheIn-lineFuelFilter................................28

ElectricalSystemMaintenance....................................29

ChargingtheBattery...............................................29

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

DriveSystemMaintenance.........................................31

CheckingtheTirePressure......................................31

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

CoolingSystemMaintenance......................................32

CleaningtheEngineScreen......................................32

CleaningtheEngine-coolingFinsand

Shrouds.............................................................32

MowerMaintenance...................................................32

ServicingtheCuttingBlades.....................................32

LevelingtheMowerDeck........................................35

RemovingtheMower..............................................37

InstallingtheMower...............................................38

ReplacingtheGrassDeector..................................38

MowerBeltMaintenance............................................39

ServicingtheMowerBelt.........................................39

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
standardsandwiththeinstructionsinthisOperator’s
Manual.Modicationstothismachineshouldonlybe
madebyeitherthemanufactureroranAuthorizedT oro
Dealer.

Thisproductiscapableofamputatinghandsandfeet.Follow
allsafetyinstructionstoavoidseriousinjuryordeath.

Theowner/usercanpreventandisresponsibleforaccidents
orinjuriesoccurringtopeople,ordamagetoproperty.

Important:Theadditionofattachmentsmadeby
othermanufacturersthatdonotmeetAmerican
NationalStandardsInstitutecerticationwillcause
noncomplianceofthismachine.

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.

•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.

•Watchfortrafcwhenoperatingnearorcrossing

roadways.

•Useextracarewhenloadingorunloadingthemachine

intoatrailerortruck.

•Alwaysweareyeprotectionwhenoperatingthemower.

•Dataindicatesthatoperators,age60yearsandabove,are

involvedinalargepercentageofridingmower-related
injuries.Operatorsshouldevaluatetheirabilitytooperate
theridingmowersafelyenoughtoprotectthemselvesand
othersfromseriousinjury.

•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.

4

•Donotmowslopeswhengrassiswet.Slippery

conditionsreducetractionandcouldcauseslidingand
lossofcontrol.

•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.

Service

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.

5

•Neverinterferewiththeintendedfunctionofasafety

deviceortoreducetheprotectionprovidedbyasafety
device.Checktheirproperoperationregularly.

•Keepthemachinefreeofgrass,leaves,orotherdebris

build-up.Cleanupoilorfuelspillagefuelsoakeddebris.
Allowthemachinetocoolbeforestoring.

•Stopandinspecttheequipmentifyoustrikeanobject.

Repair,ifnecessary,beforerestarting.

•Nevermakeanyadjustmentsorrepairswiththeengine

running.

•Grasscatchercomponentsaresubjecttowear,damage

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

•Mowerbladesaresharpandcancut.Wraptheblade(s)or

weargloves,anduseextracautionwhenservicingthem.

•Checkforproperbrakeoperationfrequently.Adjustand

serviceasrequired.

•Maintainorreplacesafetyandinstructiondecalsas

necessary.

•UseonlygenuineTororeplacementpartstoensurethat

originalstandardsaremaintained.

ToroRidingMowerSafety

ThefollowinglistcontainssafetyinformationspecictoToro
productsorothersafetyinformationthatyoumustknowthat
maynotbeincludedintheANSIstandards.

•Stoptheengine,movethemotioncontrolleversto

neutralandoutwardtotheparkposition,disengagethe
bladecontrolswitch,removethekeyanddisconnectthe
sparkplugwire(s)beforeperforminganyservice,repairs,
maintenanceoradjustments.

•Keephands,feet,hair,andlooseclothingawayfrom

attachmentdischargearea,undersideofmowerandany
movingpartswhileengineisrunning.

•Donottouchequipmentorattachmentpartswhichmay

behotfromoperation.Allowtocoolbeforeattempting
tomaintain,adjustorservice.

•Batteryacidispoisonousandcancauseburns.Avoid

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

•Batterygasescanexplode.Keepcigarettes,sparksand

amesawayfrombattery.

•UseonlyToroapprovedattachments.Warrantymaybe

voidedifusedwithunapprovedattachments.

•Ifloadingthemachineontoatrailerortruck,useasingle,

full-widthramponly.Therampangleshouldnotexceed
15degrees.

6

SlopeIndicator

G011841

Figure3

Thispagemaybecopiedforpersonaluse.

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

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

3.Exampleofhowtocompareslopewithfoldededge.

7

SafetyandInstructional
Decals

Safetydecalsandinstructionsareeasilyvisibletotheoperatorandarelocatednearanyareaofpotential
danger.Replaceanydecalthatisdamagedorlost.

93-7009

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

2.Cutting/dismembermenthazardofhandorfoot,mower
blade—stayawayfrommovingparts.

106-8717

1.Readtheinstructionsbeforeservicingorperforming
maintenance.

2.Checktirepressureevery25operatinghours.

3.Greaseevery25operatinghours.

4.Engine

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.

Manufacturer'sMark

1.Indicatesthebladeisidentiedasapartfromtheoriginal
machinemanufacturer.

119-8814

1.Parkingposition4.Neutral

2.Fast5.Reverse

3.Slow

119-8815

1.Parkingposition4.Neutral

2.Fast5.Reverse

3.Slow

8

119-8871

42InchModel

1.Height-of-cut

121-2989

1.Bypassleverpositionfor
pushingthemachine

2.Bypassleverpositionfor
operatingthemachine

BatterySymbols

Someorallofthesesymbolsareonyourbattery

1.Explosionhazard

6.Keepbystandersasafe
distancefromthebattery .

2.Nore,opename,or
smoking.

7.Weareyeprotection;
explosivegasescan
causeblindnessandother
injuries

3.Causticliquid/chemical
burnhazard

8.Batteryacidcancause
blindnessorsevereburns.

4.Weareyeprotection9.Flusheyesimmediately
withwaterandgetmedical
helpfast.

5.ReadtheOperator's

Manual.

10.Containslead;donot
discard.

130-0780

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

109-7076

9

120-2239

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

2.Warning—readtheinstructionsbeforeservicingorperforming

maintenance;movethemotioncontrolleverstothepark
(brake)position,removetheignitionkeyanddisconnectthe
sparkplugwire.

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

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

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

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

8.Tippinghazard—donotmowslopesgreaterthan15degrees,
avoidsuddenandsharpturnswhileonslopes.

121-0771

1.Choke4.Slow

2.Fast

5.Powertake-off(PTO),Bladecontrolswitch

3.Continuousvariablesetting

10

ProductOverview

Figure4

1.Footrest

8.Operatorseat

2.Foot-assistpedal9.Engine

3.Deector

10.Fuel-tankcap

4.Height-of-cutlever

11.Reardrivewheel

5.Motion-controllever

12.Washouttting

6.Smart-speedlever

13.Mowerdeck

7.Controlpanel

14.Frontcasterwheels

Controls

BecomefamiliarwithallofthecontrolsinFigure4and
Figure5beforeyoustarttheengineandoperatethemachine.

Figure5

ControlPanel

1.Throttle/Choke

3.Blade-controlswitch
(powertake-off)

2.Ignitionswitch

IgnitionSwitch

Theignitionswitchhas3positions:Off,Run,andStart.The
keywillturntoStartandmovebacktoRunuponrelease.
TurningthekeytotheOffpositionwillstoptheengine;
however,alwaysremovethekeywhenleavingthemachine
topreventsomeonefromaccidentallystartingtheengine
(Figure5).

Throttle/ChokeControl

Thethrottleandchokeiscombinedintoonecontrollever.
Thethrottlecontrolstheenginespeedandithasacontinuous
variablesettingfromSlowtoFast.Engagethechokeby
movingtheleverpasttheFastsettinguntilitstops(Figure5).

Blade-controlSwitch(PowerTake-Off)

Theblade-controlswitch,representedbyapowertake-off
(PTO)symbol,engagesanddisengagespowertothemower
blades(Figure5).

Motion-controlLeversandPark
Position

Themotion-controlleversarespeed-sensitivecontrolsof
independent-wheelmotors.Movingaleverforwardor
backwardturnsthewheelonthesamesideforwardorin
reverse;wheelspeedisproportionaltotheamountthelever
ismoved.Movethecontrolleversoutwardfromthecenter
totheparkpositionandexitthemachine(Figure17).Always
positionthemotion-controlleversintotheparkposition
whenyoustopthemachineorleaveitunattended.

SmartSpeed™ControlSystemLever

TheSmartSpeed™ControlSystemlever,locatedbelowthe
operatingposition,givestheoperatorachoicetodrivethe
machineat2speedranges—highandlow(Figure6).

G014475

1

Figure6

1.Smartspeedlever

11

Fuel-presenceWindow

Thefuelwindowlocatedontheleft-handsideofthemachine,
canbeusedtoverifythepresenceofgasolineinthetank
(Figure7).

G014521

1

Figure7

1.Fuel-presencewindow

Height-of-CutLever

Theheight-of-cutleverallowstheoperatortolowerand
raisethedeckfromtheseatedposition.Whentheleveris
movedup(towardtheoperator),thedeckisraisedfromthe
ground,andwhenmoveddown(awayfromtheoperator),it
isloweredtowardtheground.Onlyadjusttheheight-of-cut
whilethemachineisnotmoving(Figure4).

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

overthewinterunlessafuelstabilizerisused.

•Donotaddoiltogasoline.

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.

12

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
container,ratherthanfromagasolinedispenser
nozzle.

•Ifagasolinedispensernozzlemustbeused,
keepthenozzleincontactwiththerimofthe
fueltankorcontaineropeningatalltimesuntil
fuelingiscomplete.

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.Tominimizethechance

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(Figure8).

2.Slowlyaddgasolineuntilthefuelreachesthebaseof
thellerneck(Figure8).

G014474

1

2

3

4

5

6

Figure8

1.Fuel-tankcap

4.Baseofthellerneck(do

notllpasthere)

2.Fillopening5.Fuelwindow

3.Fillerneck

6.Endofthefueltank

G014895

1

2

3

4

Figure9

1.Fillopening3.Fuel

2.Baseofthellerneck(do

notllpasthere)

4.Emptyspace(forfuel
expansion)

13

3.Installthefuel-tankcapsecurely,andtightenuntilit
clicks.

CheckingtheEngine-oilLevel

Beforeyoustarttheengineandusethemachine,checktheoil
levelintheenginecrankcase;refertoCheckingtheEngine-oil
Level(page25).

BreakinginaNewMachine

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

ThinkSafetyFirst

OperatingSafety

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.

•Avoidsuddenturnsorrapidspeedchanges.

•Turnup,intoaninclinewhenchanging
directionsonslopes.Turningdowntheslope
reducestraction.

•Attachmentschangethehandlingcharacteristics
ofthemachine.Useextracautionwhenusing
attachmentswiththemachine.

Figure10

1.Safezone—usethe
TimeCutterhere

3.Water

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

CAUTION

Thismachineproducessoundlevelsinexcessof85
dBAattheoperatorsearandcancausehearingloss
throughextendedperiodsofexposure.

Wearhearingprotectionwhenoperatingthis
machine.

Theuseofprotectiveequipmentforeyes,ears,feet,andhead
isrecommended.

G009027

1

2

Figure11

1.Wearsafetyglasses

2.Wearhearingprotection

14

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.Disengagethebladesbymovingtheblade-control
switchtoOff(Figure12).

Figure12

1.Controlpanel2.Blade-controlswitch—Off
position

3.MovethethrottlelevertoChokebeforestartingacold
engine(Figure13).

Note:Itmaybenecessarytoholdtheleveragainst
thestop,inthechokeposition,whiletryingtostart
theengine.

Note:Awarmorhotenginemaynotrequirechoking.

Figure13

1.Controlpanel

4.Fast

2.Throttle/choke
lever—chokeposition

5.Continuous-variable
setting

3.Choke6.Slow

4.TurntheignitionkeytoStarttoenergizethestarter
(Figure14).

Note:Whentheenginestarts,releasethekey.

Important:Donotengagethestarterformore

than10secondsatatime.Iftheenginefailsto
start,allowa60-secondcool-downperiodbetween
attempts.Failuretofollowtheseinstructionscan
damagethestartermotor.

15