Yard-Man 13B-325-401 User Manual
Operator’s Manual
Riding Mower
Internal Bagging System
13B-325-401
Model
IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.
Warning:
covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting
applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.
In the State of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have
similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized
service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 368022 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-9722.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-
MTD PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722
FORM NO.
770-10077B.fm
(12/99)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content Page
Important Safe Operation Practices...................................................................3
Slope Gauge......................................................................................................6
Assembling Your Riding Mower.........................................................................7
Know Your Riding Mower...................................................................................9
Operating Your Riding Mower............................................................................11
Making Adjustments ..........................................................................................13
Servicing Your Rider Mower ..............................................................................15
Maintaining Your Riding Mower .........................................................................17
Off-Season Storage...........................................................................................19
Troubleshooting.................................................................................................20
Parts List............................................................................................................22
FINDING MODEL NUMBER
This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new riding mower. It will help you assemble, prepare
and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.
Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the
equipment and copy the information from it in the space provided below. The information on
the model plate is very important if you need help from our Customer Support Department or
an authorized dealer.
• You can locate the model plate by pivoting the cover upward and looking under the frame. A sample
model plate is explained below. For future reference, please copy the model number and the serial
number of the equipme nt in the spac e below.
(Model Number)
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136
(Serial Number)
MTD PRODUCTS INC
Copy the model number here:
Copy the serial number here:
CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT
If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or
maintenance of this unit, please call the Customer Dealer Referral Line.
Call 1- (330) 220-4MTD (4683) or 1- (800)-800-7310 to reach a Customer Support
representative. Please have your unit’s model number and serial number ready when you
call. See previous section to locate this information. You will be asked to enter the serial
number in order to process your call .
2
SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the
personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual
before attempting to operate your rider mower. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in
personal injury. When you see this symbol—heed its warning.
Your rider mower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. As with any type
of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. If you violate any
of these rules, you may cause serious injury to yourself or others.
WARNING: The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of
California to casue cancer, birth defects or other r eproductive harm.
General Operation
• Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the
manual and on the machine before starting. Keep
this manual in a safe place for future and regular
reference and for ordering replacement parts.
• Only allow responsible individuals familiar with the
instructions to operate the machine. Know controls
and how to stop the machine quickly.
• Do not put hands or feet under cutting deck or near
rotating parts.
• Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire,
etc., which could be picked up and thrown by the
blade. A small object may have been overlooked
and could be accidentally thrown by the mower in
any direction and cause injury to you or a
bystander. To help avoid a thrown objects injury,
keep children, bystanders and helpers at least 75
feet from t he mow er whil e it is in op erati on. Alw ays
wear safety glasses or safety goggles during
operation or while performing an adjustment or
repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects. Stop
the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks or
roads.
• Be sure the area is clear of other people before
mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
Never carry passengers.
• Disengage blade(s) before shifting into reverse and
backing up. Always look down and behind before
and while backing.
• Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge
direction and do not point it at anyone. Do not
operate the mower without either the entire grass
catcher or the chute guard in place.
• Slow down before turning. Operate the machine
smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive
speed.
• Never leave a running machine unattended.
Always turn off blade(s), place transmission in
neutral, set park brake, stop engine and remove
key before dismounting.
• Turn off blade(s) when not mowing.
• Stop engine and wait until blade(s) comes to a
complete stop before (a) removi ng grass catcher or
unclogging chute, or (b) making any repairs,
adjusting or removing any grass or debris.
• Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
• Do not operate the machine while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.Watch for traffic when
operating near or crossing roadways.
• Use extra care when loading or unloading the
machine into a trailer or truck. This unit should not
be driven up or down a ramp onto a trailer or truck
under power, because the unit could tip over,
causing serious personal injury. The unit must be
pushed manually on a ramp to load or unload
properly.
• Never make cutting height adjustment while engine
is running, if operator must dismount to do so.
• Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and closefitting slacks and shirts. Do not wear loose fitting
clothes or jewelry. They can be caught in moving
parts. Never operate a unit in bare feet, sandals, or
sneakers.
• Check overhead clearance carefully before driving
under power lines, wires, bridges or low hanging
tree branches, before entering or leaving buildings,
or in any other situation where the operator may be
struck or pulled from the unit, which could result in
serious injury.
• Disengage all attachment clutches, thoroughly
depress the brake pedal, and shift into neutral
before attempting to start engine.
• Your mower is designed to cut normal residential
grass of a height no more than 10". Do not attempt
to mow through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g.,
pasture) or piles of dry leaves. Debris may build up
on the mower deck or contact the engine exhaust
presenting a potential fire hazard.
Slope Operation
• Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control
and tip-over accidents which can result in severe
3
injury or death. All slopes require extra caution. If
you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy
on it, do not mow it.
• For your safety, use the slope gauge included as
part of this manual to measure slopes before
operating this unit on a sloped or hilly area. If the
slope is grea ter t han 1 5° as shown on the slope
gauge, do not operate this unit in that area or
serious injury could result.
Do:
• Mow up and down slopes, not across.
• Remove obstacle s such a s rocks, limbs, e tc.
• Watch for holes, ruts or bumps. Uneven terrain
could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide
obstacles.
• Use slow speed. Choose a low enough gear so that
you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope.
Always keep machine in gear when going down
slopes to take advantage of engine braking action.
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for
wheel weights or counterweights to improve
stability.
• Use extra care with grass catchers or other
attachments. These can change the stability of the
machine.
• Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual.
Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction.
Rapid engagement or braking could cause the front
of the machine to lift and rapidly flip over backwards
which could cause serious injury.
• Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose
traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly
straight down the slope.
Do Not:
• Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn
slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.
• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or
embankments.The mower could suddenly turn over
if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an
edge caves in.
• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could
cause sliding.
• Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your
foot on the ground.
• Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes.
Children
• Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not
alert to the presence of children. Children are often
attracted to the machine and the mowing activity.
Never assume that children will remain where you
last saw them.
• Keep children out of the mowing area and in
watchful care of an adult other than the operator.
• Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the
area.
• Before and when backing, look behind and down
for small children.
• Never carry children. They may fall off and be
seriously injured or interfere with the safe machine
operation.
• Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
the machine. Children 14 years and over should
only operate machine under close parental
supervision and proper instruction.
• Use extra care when approaching blind corners,
shrubs, trees or other objects that may obscure
your vision of a child or other hazard.
• Remove key when machine is unattended to
prevent unauthorized operation.
Service
• Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other
fuels. They are extremely flammable and the
vapors are ex plosiv e.
a. Use only an approved container.
b. Never remove fuel cap or add fuel with the
engine running. Allow engine to cool at least
two minutes before refueling.
c. Replace fuel cap securely and wipe off any
spilled fuel before starting the engine as it may
cause a fire or explosion.
d. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and
other sources of ignition.
e. Never refuel the machine indoors because fuel
vapors will accum ulate in the area.
f. Never store the fuel container or machine
inside where there is an open flame or spark,
such as a gas hot water heater, space heater
or furnace.
• Never run a machine inside a closed area.
• To reduce fire hazard, keep the machine free of
grass, leaves or other debris build-up. Clean up oil
or fuel spillage. Allow machine to cool at least 5
minutes before storing.
• Before cleaning, repairing or inspecting, make
certain the blade and all moving parts have
stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep
the wire away from the spark plug to prevent
accidental starting.
• Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at
frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also,
visually inspect blade for damage (e.g., excessive
wear, bent, cracked). Replace with blade which
meets original equipment specifications.
• Keep all nuts, bolts and screws tight to be sure the
equipment is in safe working condition.
• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their
proper operation regularly. Use all guards as
instructed in this manual.
• After striking a foreign object, stop the engine,
remove the wire from the spark plug and thoroughly
inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the
damage before restarting and operating the mower.
4
• Grass catcher components are subject to wear,
damage and deterioration, which could expose
moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. For your
safety protection, frequently check components
and replace with manufacturer’s recommended
parts when necessary.
• Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the
blade(s) or wear gloves and use extra caution when
servicing blade(s).
• Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and
service as required.
• Muffler, engine and belt guards become hot during
operation and can cause a burn. Allow to cool down
before touching.
• Do not change the engine governor settings or
overspeed the engine. Excessive engine speeds
are dangerous.
• Observe proper disposal laws and regulations.
Improper disposal of fluids and materials can harm
the environment and the ecology.
a. Prior to disposal, determine the proper method
to dispose of was te from y our local off ice of
Environmental Protection Agency. Recycling
centers are established to properly dispose of
materials in an environmentally safe fashion.
b. Use proper containers when draining fluids. Do
not use food or beverage containers that may
mislead someone into drinking from them.
Properly dispose of the containers immediately
following the draining of fluids.
c. DO NOT pour oil or other fluids into the ground,
down a drain or into a stream, pond, lake or
other body of water. Observe Environmental
Protection Agency regulations when disposing
of oil, fuel, coolant, brake fluid, filters, batteries,
tires and other harmful waste.
• Illustrated below are the location and part numbers of all labels found on your rider mower. Please follow the
instruction on these labels. For replacement labels, please order by the part numbers.
777I20800
LIFT HERE
5
SECTION 2: SLOPE GUAGE
USE THIS PAGE AS A GUIDE TO DETERMINE SLOPES WHERE YOU MAY NOT
OPERATE RIDER MOWER SAFELY:
Do not mow on inclines with a slope in e xcess of 15 degree s (a rise of app
A riding mower could overturn and cause se
is extremely di
Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of sl
Operate WALK-BEHIND mowers across the
fficult to maintain your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury.
F
O
L
D
O
N
D
face of slopes, never up and down slopes.
rious injury. If operating a w al k- be hind mower on such a slope, it
15°
WARNING
S
E
N
T
I
N
opes.
roximatel y 2-1/2 f eet e v ery 10 fe et).
G
A
1
5
°
S
L
O
P
E
O
T
T
E
D
L
I
N
E
,
R
E
P
R
E
A CORNER OF A BUILDING
OR A FENCE POST
SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE
A POWER POLE
6
SECTION 3: UNPACKING & ASSEMBLING YOUR RIDER MOWER
• Remove all screws and staples from crate.
• Holding the sides of the crate firmly, lift the top of
the crate up and keep it aside. Avoid tire punctures.
• Remove and discard plastic bag covering the unit.
• Lift the rear of the mower and clear the bottom of
the crate. Repeat for the front.
• Be sure parking brake is disengaged; roll unit out of
the crate’s way.
Loose Parts
• Remove loos e par ts fr om th e gras s catc her and/or
the crate very carefully. Refer to Figure 1.
1. Mulching plug & side-discharge chute
2. Oil drain sleeve
3. Bumper (optional)
4. Ignition keys (not shown)
5. Operator’s manual (not sh own)
Side-Discharge
Chute
Oil Drain
Sleeve
Mulching
Plug
Figure 1
Bumper
Attaching Battery Cables
The battery is located under the hood assembly above
the left rear wheel. Refer to Figure 3 .
• To access the battery, lift the hood assembly from
the left side of the hood only. Stand on the right side
of the unit and pivot the hood assembly towards
you until fully opened. See Figure 2 .
• Remove red and black insulation caps from battery
terminals. See Figure 3
• Remove battery terminal screws with a Phillips
screw driver or a 10 mm. socket wrench.
• Attach the red battery cable to the positive terminal
(marked +), and the black battery cable to the
negative terminal (marked -) on the battery. See
Figure 3 .
• Align the cables with the slots in the battery cover
and tighten the screws on the battery terminals.
WARNING: Press the battery cables
against side of battery so that these do not
make contact with flange of rider frame
when it is opened or closed.
• Reassemble the battery cover to the hold-down
rods on two ends with the two wing nuts removed
earlier. Check to ensure that the cables pass easily
through slots in cover.
• Place your right hand on the left side of the seat and
slowly lower th e hood assem bly untill i t is fully
closed.
CAUTION: Do not place your hand around the bo ttom
edge of the hood assembly; it may get pinched between
the hood assembly and grass catcher or the frame rail.
Wing
Battery
Cover
Wing
Nut
Negative
Terminal
Nut
Positive
Terminal
CAUTION: Do not lift the hood assembly by the two
vent openings located behind the seat.
Vent
Opening
Hood Assembly
Figure 2
• Remove both wing nuts securing the battery and
cover to the battery hold-down rods. See Figure 3 .
Battery
Cable
Figure 3
Rider
Frame
Attaching Side-Discharge Chut e
Your riding mower is shipped to you with the grass
catcher fully assembled on the unit. A side-discharge
chute and a mulching plug are included as loose parts.
Follow the instructions below to attach the sidedischarge chute.
WARNING: Do not operate the mower if
any one of the grass catcher, discharge
chute or mulching plug is not firmly
installed on the mower.
7
• Pivot the hood assembly up and lower the cutting
height adjustment lever to the lowest position.
• Remove the two wing nuts (A and B in Figure 4 )
from two ends of the grasscatcher chute.
• Loosen the two wing nuts (C and D in Figure 4 ) in
the middle of the chute. Do not remove. All four
wing nuts hold the chute to the deck frame.
• Slide the grasscatcher chute to the right and out of
the deck frame. Slide the side-discharge chute in
and place it on the deck so that the four wing nut
positions align with those on the deck.
• Reinsert wing nuts A and B. Tighten to secure.
Tighten the two wing nuts C and D.
Grass Catch er
Chute
SideDischarge
Chute
Wing
Nut D
Wing
Nut B
• To attach the mulching plug now to the unit, follow
instructions on previous page to attach sidedischarge chute to the deck.
• Place wing nut on each of the hex bolts and thread
a few turns. See Figure 5 . Check that the mulch
plug is aligned correctly within the discharge chute.
• Tighten both wing nuts
Attaching Bumper (Optional)
• Remove bumper from the grass catcher.
• Loosen and remove the two hex bolts and lock nuts
from the front rail on the rider mower. See Figure 6 .
• Align the two holes on the bumper tube with the
corresponding holes on the rider frame (from where
you removed the hardware). See Figure 6.
• Re-insert the two hex bolts through the bumper and
the rider frame and secure with the two lock nuts.
See Figure 6 .
Lock
Nut
Bumper
Rider Frame
Rail
Wing
Wing
Nut A
Nut C
Figure 4
Attaching Mulch Plug
While operating your rider mower, you have three
options: (i) to collect grass clippings in the grass
catcher, (ii) to discharge grass clippings on the side, or
(iii) to mulch grass and recirculate clippings back to the
lawn. For the third option, attach the mulching plug to
the side-discharge chute and then to the deck.
• Put two hex bolts through the mulching plug at the
respective openings. See Figure 5 .
Wing Nut
Speed
Nut
Hex Bolt
A
Figure 5
• Place speed nuts over the hex bolts.
• Insert the plug into the side-discharge chute
aligning the two slots on two sides of the sidedischarge chute with those on the mulching plug.
Side Discharge Chute
B
Mulching
Plug
Hex Bolt
Figure 6
Attaching Hitch Plate (Optional)
The hitch plate, if equipped, was loosely attached to the
rear frame of the rider for shipping purposes.
• Loosen the nut attaching the hitch plate to the
frame and swing the plate outward. Make sure that
the wide r side of th e hit ch pl ate a lig ns wit h th e rear
frame as sh own in Figu re 7 .
• Remove the hex bolt, lock washer and hex nut from
the other end of the rear frame. Save the hardware.
• Align the hole on the hitch plate with the
corresponding hole on the rear frame assembly
(from where you removed the hardware).
• Re-insert the hex bolt through the hitch plate and
the rear frame. Secure with the lock washer and
hex nut removed earlier. See Figure 7 . Tighten
both sets of hardware.
Hitch Plate
Hex Bolt
Rear
Frame
Lock
Washer
Hex
Nut
Figure 7
8
SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR RIDER MOWER
Compare the illustrations in Figure 8 with your rider mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various
controls and adjustments. The operation of any rider mower can result in foreign objects being thrown into the
operator’s eyes, causing severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses before operating the mower, or while
performing any adjustments or repairs on it.
Steering Wheel
“Go”
Pedal
Shift Lever
Cutting Height
LeverAdjustment
Blade Engagement
Pedal
Brake
Pedal
Grass Fill Level
Indicator
Ignition
Switch
Side Discharge
Chute
Seat
Throttle/Choke
Control
Cutting
Deck
Parking
Brake
Blade
Engagement
Pedal
Blade
Lock
Grass
Catcher
Throttle/Choke Control
Use to regulate the engine speed and to start the
engine.
“Go” Pedal
Use to regulate the ground speed of the rider mower.
Ignition Switch
Use to turn the engine ON or OFF.
Shift Lever
Use to change direction of the mower.
Hood
Assembly
Engine
Battery
Figure 8
Grass Fill Level Indicator
Use to determine the level of grass clipping in the bag
and when to stop and empty it.
Parking Brake
Use to stop the mower from moving while parked.
Blade Engagem ent Pe dal
Use to engage or disengage the blade.
Blade Lock
Use to lock blade at the engaged position.
9
Cutting Height Adjustment Lever
Use to raise and lower the cutting deck which
determines the cutting height.
Brake Pedal
Use to stop the mower’s forward or r evers e mot ion.
Stopping Mower
• Release blade engagement pedal all the way.
• Release the "Go" Pedal and depress the brake
pedal.
• When the mower comes to a complete stop, place
the shift lever in neutral.
• Engage the pa rking br ake by pul ling up on the
parking brake knob.
• Turn the ignition key to OFF position and remove
the key.
• Before you move the shift lever to any of the
positions, depress the brake pedal and stop the
unit. Keep your foot on the brake pedal.
CHOKE
Safety Interlock
This unit is equipped with a safety interlock system for
your protection. The interlock safety switches are
connect ed to t he br ake pedal , th e bla de en gagem ent
pedal, the shift lever, and the seat.
The purpose of the safety interlock system is threefold:
a. to prevent the engine from starting unless the
brake pedal is depressed and the blade
engagement pedal is disengaged;
b. to shut off the engine if the blade pedal is not
disengaged when the shift lever is put into
reverse; and
c. to shut the engine off when the operator leaves
the seat without engaging the parking brake.
WARNING: To avoid the risk of serious
injury, do not operate the rider mower if
the interlock system is malfunctioning.
• Remove objects that could be thrown by the
blade(s).
• Know location and function of all controls.
• Be sure blade(s) and engine are stopped before
placing hands or feet near blade(s).
• Before leaving operator's position, disengage
blade(s), place the shift lever in neutral, engage
parking brake, shut engine off and remove key.
Using Shift Lever
The shift lever is used to regulate the direction of your
rider mower. It can be set at forward, neutral, or reverse
settings. These settings, marked as F, N,and R
respectively, are located next to the shift lever on the
unit. See Figure 9.
Cutting
Height
Shift
Lever
Figure 9
• Move the lever outwards (left) to remove the
locking pin from the lever and slide the lever to the
position desired. Look at the rear and make sure
the path is free of obstacles before positioning the
shift lever to the reverse.
• Do not force the shift lever. If it does not shift,
release the brake pedal slightly to line up the
shifting collar in the transmission, then try to move
the shift lever.
• Slowly release the brake pedal and take your foot
off the pedal. Always make sure that there is no one
in the way when you run the mower.
Grass Fill Level Indicator
This indicator was designed to add convenience to your
riding mower. While the mower is running, air will flow
through the discharge chute and into the grass catcher.
If the grass catcher is empty, air flows through easily
pushing the ball up. If the grass catcher is full, air does
not flow through it allowing the ball to fall. So if you see
the ball in the grass catcher fill level indicator falling
down, you should stop the mower and empty the bag.
10
SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR RIDER MOWER
Using Throttle/Choke Control
The throttle/choke control is used to increase or
decrease the speed of the engine.The FAST and the
SLOW positions are marked with illustrations of a rabbit
and a turtle respectively. See Figure 9.
• For normal operation and when using a grass
catcher, move the throttle/choke control to the
FAST position.
• For maximum charging of the battery and also for a
cooler engine while running, move the throttle/
choke control to the FAST position.
• For transport and to tow pull-behind attachments,
move the throttle/choke control to the SLOW
position.
• Do not adjust the governor to increase or decrease
the engine speed. The governor is set at the factory
for maximum engine performance, and should not
be altered.
Using Parking Brake
To engage parking brake
• Completely push the brake pedal down and stop
the unit.
• With your right foot on the brake pedal, move the
shift lever to the neutral position.
• Continuing to hold down the brake pedal with your
right foot, pull up the parking brake knob. Make
sure the parking brake holds the unit.
• Release the brake pedal. Stop the engine and
remove the ignition key. Now your rider mower is
parked.
To release the parking brake
• Depress the brake pedal. The parking brake will be
automatically disengaged.
Before Starting
Service the engine with gasoline as described in the
engine manual. Check the oil level.
WARNING: Never fill fuel tank indoors, or
when engine is running or hot. Do not
smoke while filling up the gasoline tank.
• Turn the ignition key to the START position. As
soon as the engine starts, let the key return to the
ON position.
• Move throttle/choke control out of CHOKE position
and into FAST throttle position.
Starting Mower
• Depress the brake pedal so that the parking brake
is disengaged.
• Place the shift lever in either the FORWARD or the
REVERSE position as you desire. Look to the rear
and check before backing up.
• Release the brake pedal.
• Depress the "Go" Pedal.
• To stop, release the "Go" Pedal and depress the
brake pedal.
• Press the blade engagement pedal downward until
the blades are turning.The blades can be engaged
either while the mower is in motion or while it is
standing.
NOTE: Your rider m ower is e qui ppe d with a b lad e loc k
to keep the blade engage d wi tho ut th e op er ator h av ing
to depress the blade pedal continuously. See Figure 8.
• To engage the blade lock: While pressing down
on the blade pedal, push the blade lock down with
your heel. It should click into the “blade engaged”
position. To disengage the blade lock, simply push
down on the blade pedal and release the lock.
WARNING: When the blades are engaged,
keep feet and hands away from the
discharge opening, the blades or any part
of the deck.
Stopping Mower
• Release blade engagement pedal all the way.
• Release the "Go" Pedal and depress the brake
pedal.
• When the mower comes to a complete stop, place
the shift lever in neutral.
• Engage the pa rking br ake by pul ling up on the
parking brake knob.
• Turn ignition key to OFF position and remove key.
Starting Engine
• Attach the wire to the spark plug.
• Depress the brake pedal with your right foot.
• Set throttle/choke control in the CHOKE position
(all the way forward).
• Place the s hift lever in the NEUTRAL posi tion.
NOTE: Do not leave the key in the ON positi on when
you are not operating the mower. Such action will drain
the battery dead.
To Empty Grass Catc her
• Stop the mower completely, pull up on the
parking brake knob and take the ignition key out.
Get off the operator’s seat.
11
• Pivot the hood assembly up. Pull up the
grasscatcher bag by the handle and take it to the
proper disposal site. See Figure 10 .
• Hold the bag away from your body. Push down
on the bag lever and let the bottom section of
the bag fall downwards. The grass clippings
will be disposed of from the bottom. See
Figure 10 .
• Tap the bag on the ground so that the three legs
of the bag press against the ground. The bag
lever should snap close while you push the bag
downwards.
• Replace the bag on to the mower making sure
the bag is placed on the flange on top of the
discharge chute. Pivot the hood assembly down.
Bag Handle
Grass Catcher
Bag
Push
here
Hood
Assembly
Figure 10
Using The Mower
Observe safet y rules list ed on pages 3- 5 of this ma nual
for safe operation of your mower.
• Before mowing, make sure that the cutting deck is
leveled. For deck adjustment, refer to page 14.
• You can engage the blade by pressing on the blade
engagement pedal with your left foot while sitting
on the operator’s seat.
• When mowing an area for the first time, watch out
for objects lying on the grass. If you strike a foreign
object, stop the engine. Remove wire from spark
plug and thoroughly inspect the mower for any
damage. Repair the damage before operating it
again.
• Avoid scalping the lawn by adjusting the cutting
height upwards and/or sharpening the blades.
• Mow at full throttle. Learn the terrain on which you
are mowing. For best mowing results, mow only
when the grass is dry.
• The recommended mowing pattern is given below:
• Mow grass often and in regular intervals so that you
can cut only 1/3 of the grass blade in one mowing.
• To empty grass bag, stop the mower completely,
engage the parking brake, and turn the ignition off.
This will prevent the hot engine exhaust gas from
browning the grass.
• Many communities no longer haul grass clippings
to landfills. Composting the clippings from your
grass catcher is a viable solution. For this you will
have to empty the grass catcher at the designated
composting site.
• Your rider mower is equipped with a mulching plug
to mulch the grass and recycle into the lawn instead
of collecting in the grasscatcher bag.
• Mulch only when the grass is dry. Mulching wet
grass may damage the underside of the deck
because wet grass tends to stick to it. Clean deck
thoroughly if you mulch wet grass.
• For effective mulching, overlap mowing paths so
that the clippings are distributed evenly.
12
Loading...