Toro 74433 User manual

FormNo.3360-128RevA
TimeCutter®ZD420Riding
Mowers
ModelNo.74433—SerialNo.280000001andUp
Registeratwww.Toro.com.OriginalInstructions(EN)

Introduction
Readthisinformationcarefullytolearnhowtooperate
andmaintainyourproductproperlyandtoavoidinjury
andproductdamage.Youareresponsibleforoperating
theproductproperlyandsafely.
YoumaycontactTorodirectlyatwww .Toro.comfor
productandaccessoryinformation,helpndinga
dealer,ortoregisteryourproduct.
Wheneveryouneedservice,genuineToroparts,or
additionalinformation,contactanAuthorizedService
DealerorToroCustomerServiceandhavethemodel
andserialnumbersofyourproductready.Figure1
identiesthelocationofthemodelandserialnumbers
ontheproduct.Writethenumbersinthespace
provided.
Figure1
1.Modelandserialnumberplate
Writetheproductmodelandserialnumbersinthespace
below:
ModelNo.
SerialNo.
Thismanualidentiespotentialhazardsandhas
safetymessagesidentiedbythesafetyalertsymbol
(Figure2),whichsignalsahazardthatmaycauseserious
injuryordeathifyoudonotfollowtherecommended
precautions.
Figure2
1.Safetyalertsymbol.
Thismanualusestwootherwordstohighlight
information.Importantcallsattentiontospecial
mechanicalinformationandNoteemphasizesgeneral
informationworthyofspecialattention.
Contents
Introduction.................................................................2
Safety...........................................................................3
SafeOperationPracticesforRide-on(riding)
RotaryLawnmowerMachines...........................3
SafeOperatingPractices.......................................3
ToroRidingMowerSafety....................................5
SoundPressure.....................................................5
SoundPower........................................................5
Vibration..............................................................5
SlopeChart..........................................................6
SafetyandInstructionalDecals.............................7
ProductOverview......................................................10
Controls.............................................................11
Operation...................................................................12
ThinkSafetyFirst...............................................12
RecommendedFuel............................................13
CheckingtheEngineOilLevel............................14
StartingandStoppingtheEngine........................14
DrivingForwardorBackward.............................15
OperatingtheBlades..........................................15
StoppingtheMachine.........................................15
TheSafetyInterlockSystem................................16
AdjustingtheHeightofCut................................16
ChangingOperationModes................................16
OperationintheCollectionMode.......................17
OperationintheRecycler®Mode........................21
PositioningtheSeat............................................21
AdjustingtheMotionControlLevers..................21
PushingtheMachinebyHand.............................21
AdjustingtheFootrest........................................22
OperatingTips...................................................22
Maintenance...............................................................24
RecommendedMaintenanceSchedule(s)................24
PremaintenanceProcedures....................................25
AccessingtheMachine.......................................25
Lubrication.............................................................26
GreasingtheBearings.........................................26
EngineMaintenance...............................................27
ServicingtheAirCleaner....................................27
©2008—TheToro®Company
8111LyndaleAvenueSouth
Bloomington,MN554202
Contactusatwww.Toro.com.
PrintedintheUSA.
AllRightsReserved

ServicingtheEngineOil.....................................28
ServicingtheSparkPlug.....................................29
FuelSystemMaintenance.......................................31
DrainingtheFuelTank.......................................31
ReplacingtheFuelFilter.....................................31
ElectricalSystemMaintenance................................32
ServicingtheBattery...........................................32
ServicingtheFuses.............................................33
DriveSystemMaintenance.....................................34
CheckingtheTirePressure.................................34
MowerMaintenance...............................................35
ServicingtheCuttingBlades...............................35
LevelingtheMowerfromSide-to-Side................36
AdjustingtheFront-to-RearBladeSlope.............37
RemovingtheMower.........................................38
MowerBeltMaintenance....................................39
InstallingtheMower...........................................39
Cleaning.................................................................40
CleaningtheCollectionSensors..........................40
WashingtheUndersideoftheMower..................40
Storage.......................................................................41
CleaningandStorage..........................................41
Troubleshooting.........................................................43
Schematics.................................................................45
Safety
SafeOperationPractices
forRide-on(riding)Rotary
LawnmowerMachines
ThismachinemeetsorexceedsEuropeanStandardsin
effectatthetimeofproduction.However,improper
useormaintenancebytheoperatororownercan
resultininjury.Toreducethepotentialforinjury,
complywiththesesafetyinstructionsandalwayspay
attentiontothesafetyalertsymbol,whichmeans
CAUTION,WARNING,orDANGER-“personal
safetyinstruction.”Failuretocomplywiththe
instructionmayresultinpersonalinjuryordeath.
SafeOperatingPractices
ThefollowinginstructionsarefromtheCENstandard
EN836:1997.
Thisproductiscapableofamputatinghandsand
feetandthrowingobjects.Alwaysfollowallsafety
instructionstoavoidseriousinjuryordeath.
Training
•Readtheinstructionscarefully.Befamiliarwiththe
controlsandtheproperuseoftheequipment.
•Neverallowchildrenorpeopleunfamiliarwiththese
instructionstousethelawnmower.Localregulations
canrestricttheageoftheoperator.
•Nevermowwhilepeople,especiallychildren,orpets
arenearby.
•Keepinmindthattheoperatororuserisresponsible
foraccidentsorhazardsoccurringtootherpeopleor
theirproperty.
•Donotcarrypassengers.
•Alldriversshouldseekandobtainprofessional
andpracticalinstruction.Suchinstructionshould
emphasize:
–theneedforcareandconcentrationwhen
workingwithride-onmachines;
–controlofaride-onmachineslidingonaslope
willnotberegainedbytheapplicationofthe
brake.Themainreasonsforlossofcontrolare:
◊insufcientwheelgrip;
◊beingdriventoofast;
◊inadequatebraking;
◊thetypeofmachineisunsuitableforitstask;
3

◊lackofawarenessoftheeffectofground
conditions,especiallyslopes;
◊incorrecthitchingandloaddistribution.
Preparation
•Whilemowing,alwayswearsubstantialfootwearand
longtrousers.Donotoperatetheequipmentwhen
barefootorwearingopensandals.
•Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipment
istobeusedandremoveallobjectswhichmaybe
thrownbythemachine.
•Warning-Fuelishighlyammable.
–Storefuelincontainersspecicallydesignedfor
thispurpose.
–Refueloutdoorsonlyanddonotsmokewhile
refuelling.
–Addfuelbeforestartingtheengine.Never
removethecapofthefueltankoraddfuelwhile
theengineisrunningorwhentheengineishot.
–Iffuelisspilled,donotattempttostartthe
enginebutmovethemachineawayfromthe
areaofspillageandavoidcreatinganysourceof
ignitionuntilfuelvaporshavedissipated.
–Replaceallfueltanksandcontainercapssecurely.
•Replacefaultysilencers.
•Beforeusing,alwaysvisuallyinspecttoseethatthe
blades,bladeboltsandcutterassemblyarenotworn
ordamaged.Replacewornordamagedbladesand
boltsinsetstopreservebalance.
•Onmulti-bladedmachines,takecareasrotatingone
bladecancauseotherbladestorotate.
Operation
•Bealert,slowdownandusecautionwhenmaking
turns.Lookbehindandtothesidebeforechanging
directions.
•Donotoperatetheengineinaconnedspacewhere
dangerouscarbonmonoxidefumescancollect.
•Mowonlyindaylightoringoodarticiallight.
•Beforeattemptingtostarttheengine,disengageall
bladeattachmentclutchesandshiftintoneutral.
•Donotuseonslopesofmorethan15degrees.
•Rememberthereisnosuchthingasasafeslope.
Travelongrassslopesrequiresparticularcare.To
guardagainstoverturning:
–donotstoporstartsuddenlywhengoingupor
downhill;
–uselowspeedsonslopesandduringtightturns;
–stayalertforhumpsandhollowsandother
hiddenhazards;
•Usecarewhenpullingloads.
–Useonlyapproveddrawbarhitchpoints.
–Limitloadstothoseyoucansafelycontrol.
–Donotturnsharply.Usecarewhenreversing.
•Watchoutfortrafcwhencrossingornearroadways.
•Stopthebladesrotatingbeforecrossingsurfaces
otherthangrass.
•Whenusinganyattachments,neverdirectdischarge
ofmaterialtowardbystandersnorallowanyonenear
themachinewhileinoperation.
•Neveroperatethemachinewithdamagedguardsor
withoutsafetyprotectivedevicesinplace.
•Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingsor
overspeedtheengine.Operatingtheengineat
excessivespeedcanincreasethehazardofpersonal
injury.
•Beforeleavingtheoperator’sposition:
–disengagethepowertake-offandlowerthe
attachments;
–changeintoneutralandsettheparkingbrake;
–stoptheengineandremovethekey.
•Disengagedrivetoattachments,stoptheengine,
anddisconnectthesparkplugwire(s)orremovethe
ignitionkey
–beforeclearingblockagesoruncloggingchute;
–beforechecking,cleaningorworkingonthe
lawnmower;
–afterstrikingaforeignobject.Inspectthe
lawnmowerfordamageandmakerepairsbefore
restartingandoperatingtheequipment;
–ifthemachinestartstovibrateabnormally(check
immediately).
•Disengagedrivetoattachmentswhentransporting
ornotinuse.
•Stoptheengineanddisengagedrivetoattachment
–beforerefuelling;
–beforeremovingthegrasscatcher;
–beforemakingheightadjustmentunless
adjustmentcanbemadefromtheoperator’s
position.
•Reducethethrottlesettingduringenginerun-out
and,iftheengineisprovidedwithashut-offvalve,
turnthefueloffattheconclusionofmowing.
4

MaintenanceandStorage
•Keepallnuts,boltsandscrewstighttobesurethe
equipmentisinsafeworkingcondition.
•Neverstoretheequipmentwithfuelinthetank
insideabuildingwherefumescanreachanopen
ameorspark.
•Allowtheenginetocoolbeforestoringinany
enclosure.
•Toreducetherehazard,keeptheengine,silencer,
batterycompartmentandfuelstorageareafreeof
grass,leaves,orexcessivegrease.
•Checkthegrasscatcherfrequentlyforwearor
deterioration.
•Replacewornordamagedpartsforsafety.
•Ifthefueltankhastobedrained,thisshouldbe
doneoutdoors.
•Whenmachineistobeparked,storedorleft
unattended,lowerthecuttingmeans.
ToroRidingMowerSafety
Thefollowinglistcontainssafetyinformationspecicto
Toroproductsorothersafetyinformationthatyoumust
knowthatisnotincludedintheCENstandard.
•Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,whichis
anodorless,deadlypoisonthatcankillyou.Donot
runengineindoorsorinanenclosedarea.
•Keephands,feet,hairandlooseclothingawayfrom
attachmentdischargearea,undersideofmowerand
anymovingpartswhileengineisrunning.
•Donottouchequipmentorattachmentpartswhich
maybehotfromoperation.Allowtocoolbefore
attemptingtomaintain,adjust,orservice.
•Batteryacidispoisonousandcancauseburns.Avoid
contactwithskin,eyesandclothing.Protectyour
face,eyes,andclothingwhenworkingwithabattery.
•Batterygasescanexplode.Keepcigarettes,sparks,
andamesawayfrombattery.
•UseonlygenuineTororeplacementpartstoensure
thatoriginalstandardsaremaintained.
•UseonlyToro-approvedattachments.
SlopeOperation
•Donotmowslopesgreaterthan15degrees.
•Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditches,steepbanks,
orwater.Wheelsdroppingoveredgescancause
rollovers,whichmayresultinseriousinjury,death,
ordrowning.
•Donotmowslopeswhengrassiswet.Slippery
conditionsreducetractionandcouldcausesliding
andlossofcontrol.
•Donotmakesuddenturnsorrapidspeedchanges.
•Useawalkbehindmowerand/orahandtrimmer
neardrop-offs,ditches,steepbanks,orwater.
•Reducespeedanduseextremecautiononslopes.
•Removeormarkobstaclessuchasrocks,treelimbs,
etc.frommowingarea.Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.
•Watchforditches,holes,rocksdips,andrisesthat
changetheoperatingangle,asroughterraincould
overturnthemachine.
•Avoidsuddenstartswhenmowinguphillbecause
themowermaytipbackwards.
•Beawarethatlossoftractionmayoccurgoing
downhill.Weighttransfertothefrontwheelsmay
causedrivewheelstoslipandcauselossofbraking
andsteering.
•Alwaysavoidsuddenstartingorstoppingona
slope.Iftireslosetraction,disengagethebladesand
proceedslowlyofftheslope.
•Followthemanufacturer’srecommendationsfor
wheelweightsorcounterweightstoimprovestability.
•Useextremecarewithgrasscatchersorother
attachments.Thesecanchangethestabilityofthe
machineandcauselossofcontrol.
SoundPressure
Thisunithasamaximumsoundpressurelevelatthe
operator’searof88dBA,basedonmeasurementsof
identicalmachinesperEN836andISO11201.
SoundPower
Thisunithasaguaranteedsoundpowerlevelof100
dBA,basedonmeasurementsofidenticalmachinesper
ISO11094.
Vibration
Thisunitdoesnotexceedahand/armvibrationlevelof
2.7m/s2,basedonmeasurementsofidenticalmachines
perEN836andEN1033.
Thisunitdoesnotexceedawholebodyvibration
levelof0.6m/s2,basedonmeasurementsofidentical
machinesperEN836andEN1032.
5

SlopeChart
6

SafetyandInstructionalDecals
Safetydecalsandinstructionsareeasilyvisibletotheoperatorandarelocatednearanyareaof
potentialdanger.Replaceanydecalthatisdamagedorlost.
110-6691
1.Thrownobjecthazard—keepbystandersasafedistance
fromthemachine.
2.Thrownobjecthazard,mower—donotoperatethewithout
deector,dischargecoverorgrasscollectionsystemin
place.
3.Cutting/dismembermentofhandorfoot—stayawayfrom
movingparts.
Manufacturer’sMark
1.Indicatesthebladeisidentiedasapartfromtheoriginal
machinemanufacturer.
106-2223
106-2224
1.Throttle7.Headlights
2.Choke8.Engine—stop
3.Fast9.Engine—run
4.Continuousvariable
setting
10.Engine—start
5.Slow11.Ignition
6.Powertake-off(PTO),
Bladecontrolswitchon
somemodels
106-7043
1.Donottowthemachine;pulltheleverouttorideonthe
machineorpushtheleverintopushthemachine.
106-8717
1.Readtheinstructionsbeforeservicingorperforming
maintenance.
2.Checktirepressureevery25operatinghours.
3.Greaseevery25operatinghours.
4.Engine
7

106-8742
1.Parkingbrake
106-8743
1.Heightofcut
108-8769
1.Collectposition2.Recycler®position
108-8759
1.Beltrouting
BatterySymbols
Someorallofthesesymbolsareonyourbattery
1.Explosionhazard6.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.
8

110-6567
1.Warning—readtheOperator’sManual.
2.Warning—readtheinstructionsbeforeservicingorperformingmaintenance;movethemotioncontrolleverstothebrakeposition,
removetheignitionkeyanddisconnectthesparkplugwire.
3.Cutting/dismembermenthazard,mowerblade;entanglementhazard,belt—donotopenorremovesafetyshieldswhileengineis
running.
4.Lossoftraction/controlhazard,slopes—lossoftraction/controlonaslope,disengagethebladecontrolswitch(PTO),proceed
offtheslopeslowly.
5.Crushing/dismembermenthazardofbystanders,reversing;crushing/dismembermenthazardofbystanders—donotcarry
passengers,lookbehindanddownwhenreversing.
6.Tippinghazard—donotmowupanddownslopes,onlymowacrossslopeslessthan15degrees,avoidsuddenandsharp
turnswhileonslopes.
7.Thrownobjecthazard—keepbystandersasafedistancefromthemachine,pickupdebrisbeforeoperating,keepdeectorinplace.
9

ProductOverview
Figure3
1.Motioncontrollever4.Collectionbag7.Mowerdeck10.Cupholder
2.Height-of-cutlever5.DFSlever8.Recycle-on-demandlever11.Footrest
3.Controlpanel6.Operator’sposition,seat9.Reardrivewheel12.Frontcasterwheel
Figure4
Collectionbagremoved
1.Motioncontrollever4.Collectionsensors7.Mowerdeck10.Rearframe
2.Heightofcutlever5.Rearaccesspanel8.Enginecover11.Collectionbagpresence
sensor
3.Gastankcap6.Reardrivewheel9.Dischargechute
10

Controls
BecomefamiliarwithallofthecontrolsinFigure3,
Figure4,Figure5andFigure6beforeyoustartthe
engineandoperatethemachine.
Figure5
1.Motioncontrollever,
parkingbrakeposition
4.Collectionbag
2.Height-of-cutlever5.DFSlever
3.Gastankcap
Figure6
1.Ignitionswitch3.Bladecontrolswitch
(powertake-off)
2.Throttle/Choke
MotionControlLevers
Themotioncontrolleversarespeedsensitivecontrols
ofindependentwheelmotors.Movingaleverforward
orbackwardturnsthewheelonthesamesideforward
orinreverse.Movingthecontrolleversoutwardfrom
thecenterpositionengagestheparkingbrakeandallows
theoperatortoexitthemachine(Figure5).
ParkingBrake
Theparkingbrakeisautomaticallysetwhenthemotion
controlleversareinthebrakeposition.Alwaysposition
themotioncontrolleversintothebrakepositionwhen
youstopthemachineorleaveitunattended(Figure5).
Height-of-CutLever
Theheightofcutleverallowstheoperatortolower
andraisethedeckfromtheseatedposition.Whenthe
leverismovedup,towardtheoperatorthedeckisraised
fromthegroundandwhenmoveddown,awayfromthe
operatoritisloweredtotheground.Onlyadjustthe
heightofcutwhilemachineisnotmoving(Figure5).
Recycle-On-DemandLever
Usetherecycle-on-demandlevertoswitchfrom
collectionmodetoRecycler®mode.Movethelever
forwarduntilitstopstoopenthedeckdoortoallow
clippingstotraveltothecollectionbags.Movethelever
rearwarduntilitlocksinpositiontoclosethedeckdoor
andengagetheRecycler®mode(Figure7).
Figure7
1.Recycle-on-demandlever,
collectposition
2.Recycle-on-demandlever,
Recycler®position
IgnitionSwitch
Theignitionswitchhasthreepositions,Off,Runand
Start.ThekeywillturntoStartandmovebackto
Runuponrelease.TuringthekeytotheOffposition
willstoptheengine;however,alwaysremovethekey
whenleavingthemachinetopreventtheenginefrom
accidentallystarting(Figure6).
11

Throttle/ChokeControl
Thethrottleandchokeiscombinedintoonecontrol
lever.Thethrottlecontrolstheenginespeedandithasa
continuousvariablesettingfromSlowtoFast.Engage
thechokebymovingtheleverpasttheFastsettinguntil
itstops(Figure6).
BladeControlSwitch(PowerTake-Off)
Thebladecontrolswitch,representedbyapower
take-off(PTO)symbol,engagesanddisengagespower
tothemowerblades(Figure6).
DFS(DumpFromSeat)Lever
TheDFS(DumpFromSeat)levercanbeoperatedfrom
theseated,operatingpositionorwhilestandingnextto
themachine.Theleverisseatedlooselytoallowitto
beextendedtogainleveragewheninuseandswivels
freelytoallowforminimalcontactwiththeoperating
environment(Figure5).
CollectionSensors
Oncethecollectionbagllswithenoughgrasstocover
oneorbothofthesensorsandbreaktheinfraredbeam
abeepingalarmwillsoundtoalerttheoperator.The
alarmshutsoffoncethebladecontrolswitchisturned
Off.Ifoneorbothsensorsareunpluggedthemower
bladeswillnotengage.Thecollectionbagshould
beemptiedimmediately.Continuedoperationofthe
collectionsystemwithafullbagmayresultinplugging
ofthedeckadapteranddischargechute.
Operation
Note:Determinetheleftandrightsidesofthe
machinefromthenormaloperatingposition.
ThinkSafetyFirst
Pleasecarefullyreadallofthesafetyinstructionsand
decalsinthesafetysection.Knowingthisinformation
couldhelpyou,yourfamily,petsorbystandersavoid
injury.
Mowingonwetgrassorsteepslopescancause
slidingandlossofcontrol.
Wheelsdroppingoveredgescancauserollovers,
whichmayresultinseriousinjury,deathor
drowning.
Toavoidlossofcontrolandpossibilityof
rollover:
•Donotmowneardrop-offsornearwater.
•Donotmowslopesgreaterthan15degrees.
•Reducespeedanduseextremecautionon
slopes.
•Avoidsuddenturnsorrapidspeedchanges.
Figure8
1.SafeZone-usetheTimeCutterhere
2.Usewalkbehindmowerand/orhandtrimmerneardrop-offs
andwater.
3.Water
12

RecommendedFuel
UseUnleadedRegularGasolinesuitablefor
automotiveuse(87pumpoctaneminimum).Leaded
regulargasolinemaybeusedifunleadedregularisnot
available.
Important:Neverusemethanol,fuelcontaining
methanol,orgasoholcontainingmorethan10%
ethanolbecausethefuelsystemcouldbedamaged.
Donotmixoilwithfuel.
Incertainconditions,fuelisextremely
ammableandhighlyexplosive.Areor
explosionfromfuelcanburnyouandothers
andcandamageproperty.
•Fillthefueltankoutdoors,inanopenarea,
whentheengineiscold.Wipeupanyfuel
thatspills.
•Neverllthefueltankinsideanenclosed
trailer.
•Donotllthefueltankcompletelyfull.Add
fueltothefueltankuntilthelevelis1/4to
1/2inch(6to13mm)belowthebottomof
thellerneck.Thisemptyspaceinthetank
allowsfueltoexpand.
•Neversmokewhenhandlingfuel,andstay
awayfromanopenameorwherefuel
fumesmaybeignitedbyaspark.
•Storefuelinanapprovedcontainerandkeep
itoutofthereachofchildren.Neverbuy
morethana30-daysupplyoffuel.
•Donotoperatewithoutentireexhaust
systeminplaceandinproperworking
condition.
Incertainconditionsduringfueling,static
electricitycanbereleasedcausingaspark
whichcanignitethefuelvapors.Areor
explosionfromfuelcanburnyouandothers
andcandamageproperty.
•Alwaysplacefuelcontainersontheground
awayfromyourvehiclebeforelling.
•Donotllfuelcontainersinsideavehicle
oronatruckortrailerbedbecauseinterior
carpetsorplastictruckbedlinersmay
insulatethecontainerandslowthelossof
anystaticcharge.
•Whenpractical,removegas-powered
equipmentfromthetruckortrailerand
refueltheequipmentwithitswheelsonthe
ground.
•Ifthisisnotpossible,thenrefuelsuch
equipmentonatruckortrailerfroma
portablecontainer,ratherthanfromafuel
dispensernozzle.
•Ifafueldispensernozzlemustbeused,keep
thenozzleincontactwiththerimofthefuel
tankorcontaineropeningatalltimesuntil
fuelingiscomplete.
Fuelisharmfulorfatalifswallowed.Long-term
exposuretovaporscancauseseriousinjuryand
illness.
•Avoidprolongedbreathingofvapors.
•Keepfaceawayfromnozzleandgastankor
conditioneropening.
•Keepgasawayfromeyesandskin.
UsingStabilizer/Conditioner
Useafuelstabilizer/conditionerinthemachineto
providethefollowingbenets:
•Keepsfuelfreshduringstorageof90daysorless.
Forlongerstorageitisrecommendedthatthefuel
tankbedrained.
•Cleanstheenginewhileitruns
•Eliminatesgum-likevarnishbuildupinthefuel
system,whichcauseshardstarting
13

Important:Donotusefueladditivescontaining
methanolorethanol.
Addthecorrectamountofgasstabilizer/conditioner
tothegas.
Note:Afuelstabilizer/conditionerismosteffective
whenmixedwithfreshfuel.Tominimizethechanceof
varnishdepositsinthefuelsystem,usefuelstabilizer
atalltimes.
FillingtheFuelTank
1.Shuttheengineoffandsettheparkingbrake.
2.Cleanaroundthefueltankcapandremovethecap.
Addunleadedregulargasolinetothefueltankuntil
thelevelis1/4to1/2inch(6to13mm)below
thebottomofthellerneck.Thisspaceinthe
tankallowsfueltoexpand.Donotllthefueltank
completelyfull.
3.Installthefueltankcapsecurely.Wipeupanyfuel
thatmayhavespilled.
CheckingtheEngineOilLevel
Beforeyoustarttheengineandusethemachine,check
theoillevelintheenginecrankcase;refertoChecking
theOilLevelinEngineMaintenance,page27.
StartingandStoppingthe
Engine
StartingtheEngine
1.Sitdownontheseatandmovethemotioncontrols
tothebrakeposition.
2.Disengagethebladesbymovingthebladecontrol
switchtoOff(Figure9).
Figure9
1.Bladecontrolswitch—On2.Bladecontrolswitch—Off
3.MovethethrottlelevertoChokebeforestartinga
coldengine(Figure10).
Note:Awarmorhotenginemaynotrequire
choking.
4.TurntheignitionkeytoStarttoenergizethestarter.
Whentheenginestarts,releasethekey.
Important:Donotengagethestarterformore
than10secondsatatime.Iftheenginefails
tostart,allowa60secondcool-downperiod
betweenattempts.Failuretofollowthese
instructionscanburnoutthestartermotor.
5.Aftertheenginestarts,movethethrottleleverto
Fast(Figure10).Iftheenginestallsorhesitates,
movethethrottleleverbacktoChokeforafew
seconds.Thenmovethethrottlelevertothedesired
setting.Repeatthisasrequired.
Figure10
1.Engine3.Fast
2.Choke4.Slow
Figure11
1.Off3.Start
2.Run4.Ignition
StoppingtheEngine
1.MovethethrottlelevertoFast(Figure10).
2.Disengagethebladesbymovingthebladecontrol
switchtoOff(Figure9).
3.TurntheignitionkeytoOff(Figure11).
4.Pullthewireoffofthesparkplug(s)toprevent
thepossibilityofsomeoneaccidentallystartingthe
machinebeforetransportingorstoringthemachine.
5.Closethefuelshut-offvalveunderthefrontofthe
fueltankbeforetransportingorstoringthemachine.
Important:Makesurethefuelshut-offvalve
isclosedbeforetransportingorstoringthe
machine,asfuelleakagemayoccur.
14

DrivingForwardorBackward
Thethrottlecontrolregulatestheenginespeedas
measuredinrpm(revolutionsperminute).Place
thethrottlecontrolintheFastpositionforbest
performance.Alwaysoperateinthefullthrottle
position.
Themachinecanspinveryrapidly.The
operatormaylosecontrolofthemachine
andcausepersonalinjuryordamagetothe
machine.
•Usecautionwhenmakingturns.
•Slowthemachinedownbeforemaking
sharpturns.
Forward
1.Movetheleverstothecenter,unlockedposition.
2.Togoforward,slowlypushthemotioncontrol
leversforward(Figure12).
Figure12
1.Centerunlockposition3.Backward
2.Forward4.Brakeposition
Togostraight,applyequalpressuretobothmotion
controllevers(Figure12).
Toturn,releasepressureonthemotioncontrollever
towardthedirectionyouwanttoturn(Figure12).
Thefartheryoumovethetractioncontrolleversin
eitherdirection,thefasterthemachinewillmovein
thatdirection.
Tostop,pullthemotioncontrolleverstoneutral.
Backward
1.Movetheleverstothecenter,unlockedposition.
2.Togobackward,slowlypullthemotioncontrol
leversrearward(Figure12).
Togostraight,applyequalpressuretobothmotion
controllevers(Figure12).
Toturn,releasethepressureonthemotion
controllevertowardthedirectionyouwanttoturn
(Figure12).
Tostop,pushthemotioncontrolleverstoneutral.
OperatingtheBlades
Thebladecontrolswitch,representedbyapower
take-off(PTO)symbol,engagesanddisengagespower
tothemowerblades.Thisswitchcontrolspowertoany
attachmentsthatdrawpowerfromtheengine,including
themowerdeckandcuttingblades.
EngagingtheBlades
1.Releasepressureonthetractioncontrolleversand
placethemachineinneutral.
2.MovethethrottletotheFastposition.
3.Pulloutonthebladecontrolswitchtoengage
blades(Figure13).
Figure13
1.Bladecontrolswitch-On2.Bladecontrolswitch-Off
DisengagingtheBlades
PushthebladecontrolswitchtoOfftodisengagethe
blades(Figure13).
StoppingtheMachine
Tostopthemachine,movethetractioncontrollevers
toneutralandseparatetothebrakeposition,disengage
thebladecontrolswitch,ensurethethrottleisinthefast
position,andturntheignitionkeytooff.Rememberto
removethekeyfromtheignitionswitch.
15

Childrenorbystandersmaybeinjuredifthey
moveorattempttooperatethemowerwhileit
isunattended.
Alwaysremovetheignitionkeyandmovethe
motioncontrolleverstothebrakeposition
whenleavingthemachineunattended,evenif
justforafewminutes.
TheSafetyInterlockSystem
Ifsafetyinterlockswitchesaredisconnected
ordamagedthemachinecouldoperate
unexpectedlycausingpersonalinjury.
•Donottamperwiththeinterlockswitches.
•Checktheoperationoftheinterlock
switchesdailyandreplaceanydamaged
switchesbeforeoperatingthemachine.
UnderstandingtheSafetyInterlock
System
Thesafetyinterlocksystemisdesignedtopreventthe
enginefromstartingunless:
•Thebladesaredisengaged.
•Themotioncontrolleversareinthebrakeposition.
Thesafetyinterlocksystemalsoisdesignedtostopthe
enginewhenthecontrolleversareoutofthebrake
positionandyourisefromtheseatwhentheblades
areengaged.
TestingtheSafetyInterlockSystem
ServiceInterval:Beforeeachuseordaily
Testthesafetyinterlocksystembeforeyouusethe
machineeachtime.Ifthesafetysystemdoesnot
operateasdescribedbelow,haveanAuthorizedService
Dealerrepairthesafetysystemimmediately.
1.Whilesittingontheseat,withthecontrolleversin
brakeposition,andmovethebladecontrolswitch
toOn.Trystartingtheengine;theengineshould
notcrank.
2.Whilesittingontheseat,movethebladecontrol
switchtoOff.Moveeithermotioncontrollever
tothecenter,unlockedposition.Trystartingthe
engine;theengineshouldnotcrank.Repeatwith
theothermotioncontrollever.
3.Whilesittingontheseat,movethebladecontrol
switchtoOff,andlockthemotioncontrollevers
inneutral.Starttheengine.Whiletheengineis
running,movethemotioncontrolleverstothe
center,unlockedposition,engagethebladecontrol
switch,andriseslightlyfromtheseat;theengine
shouldstop.
4.Removethecollectionbag.Whilesittingonthe
seat,starttheengineandmovethebladecontrol
switchtoOn.Thebladesshouldnotengage.
AdjustingtheHeightofCut
Theheightofcutisadjustedfrom1-1/2to4-1/2inch
(38to114mm)in1/2inch(13mm)incrementsby
movingtheheight-of-cutleverindifferentlocations.
1.Raisetheheight-of-cutlevertothetransport
position(alsothe4-1/2inch(114mm)cutting
heightposition(Figure14).
2.Toadjust,pullupontheheight-of-cutleverand
moveittothedesiredposition(Figure14).
Figure14
1.Height-of-cutlever2.Height-of-cutpositions
ChangingOperationModes
Therecycle-on-demandleverallowstheoperatorto
alternatefunctionsbetweenRecycler®andcollection
modesfromtheseated,operatingposition.Usethe
recycle-on-demandlevertochangemodes.
16

1.Parkthemachineonalevelsurface,disengagethe
bladecontrolswitchandmovethemotioncontrol
leverstothebrakeposition.
2.MovethethrottletoSlow.
3.Movetherecycle-on-demandlever(Figure15)to
thedesiredposition:
Figure15
1.Recycle-on-demandlever,
collectposition
2.Recycle-on-demandlever,
Recycler®position
A.Raisethelevertotheuprightpositionto
openthedeckdoorandallowclippingstobe
collected.
B.LowerthelevertoRecycler®positiontoclose
thedeckdoorandmulchtheclippings.
4.MovethethrottletotheFastpositionandthe
motioncontrolleverstotheoperatingposition.
OperationintheCollection
Mode
Asthebaggerlls,extraweightisaddedto
thebackofthemachine.Ifyoustopandstart
suddenlyonhills,youmaylosesteeringcontrol
orthemachinemaytip.
•Donotstartorstopsuddenlywhengoing
uphillordownhill.Avoiduphillstarts.
•Ifyoudostopthemachinewhengoing
uphill,disengagethebladecontrolswitch.
Thenbackdownthehillusingaslowspeed.
•Donotchangespeedsorstoponslopes.
Thecollectionmodeusesairowcreatedbythecutting
bladestodirectclippingsup,throughaninternalchute
anddeposittheminthecollectionbag.Shorter,dry
clippingsrequirelessforcetobemovedupthechute
andintothecollectionbag.
Environmentalfactorscanaffectthequantityof
clippingsmovedintothecollectionbagandrateof
collection.Cuttingtallgrassatalowheightofcutwill
removeairowneededtopropeltheclippingsintothe
collectionbag.Longer,wetordampclippingsrequire
muchgreaterforcetobedepositedinthecollectionbag.
Alwaystrytocutgrasswhenitisdrybecauseyourlawn
willhaveaneatappearance.Ifyoumustcutwetgrass,
usetheRecycler®mode.Severalhourslater,whenthe
clippingsaredry,usethecollectionmodetogatherup
thegrassclippings.
Forthebestperformanceofthedirectcollectionmode:
•SetthethrottletoFast.
•Mowregularly.
•Useanhigherheightofcutfortallergrass.
•Avoidmowingwetordampgrass.
•Travelatslowerspeedswhenmowingtallergrass.
17

EmptyingtheCollectionSystem
Oncethecollectionbagllswithenoughgrasstocover
oneorbothofthesensorsandbreaktheinfraredbeam
abeepingalarmwillsoundtoalerttheoperator.The
alarmshutsoffoncethebladecontrolswitchisturned
Off.Ifoneorbothsensorsareunpluggedthemower
bladeswillnotengage.
Themachineisequippedwithanalarmthatsoundsto
notifytheoperatorthecollectionbagisfull.
1.Parkthemachineonalevelsurface,disengagethe
bladecontrolswitchandmovethemotioncontrol
leverstothebrakeposition.
2.MovethethrottletoSlow.
3.RaisethecollectionbagbyextendingtheDFSlever
andthenpullingdown(Figure16).
Figure16
1.LoweringDFSlever2.Raisedcollectionbag,
emptyingclippings
4.LowerthecollectionbagandreleasetheDFSlever.
Intheeventthatthecollectionbagalarmgoesoffand
thebagislessthanfull,thesensorsshouldbecleared
ofanyclippingsordebristhatbeblockingthebeam.
Raisethecollectionbagandwipeoffthefacesofthe
sensorswithasoftcloth.
Important:Youcanwashthemachinewithmild
detergentandwater.Donotpressurewashthe
machine.Avoidexcessiveuseofwater,especially
nearthecontrolpanel,engine,hydraulicpumps,
andmotors.
CollectionBag
Thecollectionbagisretainedintheenginecoverby
seatingtheleversidepinintoaholedbracketinthe
righthandsideoftheenginecover.Toremove,raise
thebagupandrstliftthepinintheopennotchup
andawayfromthecover.Thenslidetheleversidepin
outthebracketuntilthebagisclearofthemachine.
Wheninstalling,seatthissiderstandthenplacethe
opposingpinintheopennotchintheenginecover.
Allowthebagtoswingdown,intoplace.
Figure17
1.Collectionbag4.Pin,collectionbag
2.Enginehood5.Notchedbracket
3.Holedbracket
18

RemovingtheCollectionChute
Asyouarebagging,asmallamountofgrassclippings
normallyblowoutthefrontofthemower.Anexcessive
amountofclippingsblowingoutandnoaudiblealarm
signallingafullbagmayindicateapluggedchute.
Thecollectionchutecanberemovedtobecleanedand
safelyclearedofanyobstructions.Usethefollowing
proceduretoremoveit:
1.Makesurethecollectionbagisempty.
2.Parkthemachineonalevelsurfaceanddisengage
thebladecontrolswitch.
3.Movethemotioncontrolleverstothebrake
position,stoptheengine,removethekey,andwait
forallmovingpartstostopbeforeleavingthe
operatingposition.Raisetheoperator’sseat.
4.Movetotherearofthemachineandremovethe
collectionbag.
5.Graspthedischargechuteandremoveasfollows.
Important:Usecautionanddonotuse
excessiveforcewhenremoving/installingthe
chute.“Forcing”thechutecandamageitor
otherinternalcomponents.
A.Pullthechuteoutfromthemachine
approximately6-8inches(15-20cm).
B.Rotatethechuteaquarterturndownwardand
proceedtopullchuteoutfurthertoexposethe
rstbend.
C.Withthebendexposedrotatethechutea
quarterturncounterclockwise.
D.Pullthechuteuntilthekeyisvisible.Linethe
keyinthechutewiththekeyway.
E.Removethechute.
Figure18
19

6.Returntothemachine.Inspecttheinternalengine
compartmentandclearanyclippingsordebris
dislodgedduringchuteremoval.
Debrisbuiltupintheenginecompartment,if
notremoved,couldbeignitedbyahotengine.
Areintheenginecompartmentcouldcan
burnyouandothersandcandamageproperty.
•Beforeusingandwhiletheengineiscool,
checkfordebrisintheenginecompartment.
•Keepthemachinefreeofgrass,leaves,or
otherdebrisbuild-up.
•Cleanupoilorfuelspillageandfuelsoaked
debris.
•Allowthemachinetocoolbeforestoring.
ClearingtheCollectionChute
Note:Toavoidpluggingthecollectionsystem,mow
thegrassatahighheightofcut,thenlowerthemower
toyournormalcuttingheightandrepeatthecollection
process.
Removethecollectionchuteandtapitontheground
toremoveanypluggedclippingsordebris.Atthis
time,visuallyinspectthechutetoverifyitisclearand
foranydamage.Ifnecessary,manuallyremoveany
obstructionsfromthechute.
InstallingtheCollectionChute
1.Linethekeyinthechutewiththekeywayinthe
frame
A.Gentlymovethechuteintothemachineuntil
therstbend.
B.Rotatethechuteaquarterturndownwardand
continueinstallingthechuteuntilthesecond
bend.
C.Rotatethechuteaquarterturncounter
clockwiseandcontinuetoinstallthechute.
D.Lookovertheenginehood,andintotheinternal
machine.Alignthekeyinthechutewiththepeg
onthedeckadapter.
E.Slidethechuteoverthedeckadapteruntilthe
chuteseatsinthemachineframe.
Figure19
2.Lowertheseatandresumeoperation.
20