Toro 74741 User manual

FormNo.3398-922RevB
TimeCutter®MX4250orSS5425
RidingMower
ModelNo.74741—SerialNo.316000001andUp
ModelNo.74760—SerialNo.316000001andUp
Registeratwww.Toro.com.
OriginalInstructions(EN)*3398-922*B

WARNING
CALIFORNIA
Proposition65Warning
Thisproductcontainsachemical
orchemicalsknowntotheStateof
Californiatocausecancer,birthdefects,
orreproductiveharm.
Theengineexhaustfromthisproduct
containschemicalsknowntotheStateof
Californiatocausecancer,birthdefects,
orotherreproductiveharm.
ThissparkignitionsystemcomplieswithCanadian
ICES-002
ItisaviolationofCaliforniaPublicResourceCode
Section4442or4443touseoroperatetheengineon
anyforest-covered,brush-covered,orgrass-covered
landunlesstheengineisequippedwithaspark
arrester,asdenedinSection4442,maintainedin
effectiveworkingorderortheengineisconstructed,
equipped,andmaintainedforthepreventionofre.
TheenclosedEngineOwner'sManualis
suppliedforinformationregardingtheUS
EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)and
theCaliforniaEmissionControlRegulationof
emissionsystems,maintenance,andwarranty.
Replacementsmaybeorderedthroughtheengine
manufacturer.
GrossHorsepower
Thegrossornethorsepowerofthisenginewas
laboratoryratedbytheenginemanufacturerin
accordancewiththeSocietyofAutomotiveEngineers
(SAE)J1940.Asconguredtomeetsafety,emission,
andoperatingrequirements,theactualenginetorque
onthisclassofmowerwillbesignicantlylower.
Gotowww.Toro.comtoviewspecicationsonyour
mowermodel.
Introduction
Thismachineisaride-on,rotary-bladelawnmower
intendedtobeusedbyhomeownersinresidential
applications.Itisprimarilydesignedforcuttinggrass
onwell-maintainedlawns.Itisnotdesignedforcutting
brush,mowinggrassandothergrowthalongside
highways,orforagriculturaluses.
Readthisinformationcarefullytolearnhowtooperate
andmaintainyourproductproperlyandtoavoid
injuryandproductdamage.Youareresponsiblefor
operatingtheproductproperlyandsafely.
YoumaycontactTorodirectlyatwww.Toro.com
forproductsafetyandoperationtrainingmaterials,
accessoryinformation,helpndingadealer,orto
registeryourproduct.
Wheneveryouneedservice,genuineToroparts,or
additionalinformation,contactanAuthorizedService
DealerorToroCustomerServiceandhavethemodel
andserialnumbersofyourproductready.Figure1
identiesthelocationofthemodelandserialnumbers
ontheproduct.Writethenumbersinthespace
provided.
g014523
Figure1
Undertheseat
1.Modelandserialnumberplate
Writetheproductmodelandserialnumbersinthe
spacebelow:
ModelNo.
SerialNo.
Thismanualidentiespotentialhazardsandhas
safetymessagesidentiedbythesafety-alertsymbol
(Figure2),whichsignalsahazardthatmaycause
seriousinjuryordeathifyoudonotfollowthe
recommendedprecautions.
g000502
Figure2
1.Safety-alertsymbol.
Thismanualuses2wordstohighlightinformation.
Importantcallsattentiontospecialmechanical
informationandNoteemphasizesgeneralinformation
worthyofspecialattention.
©2017—TheToro®Company
8111LyndaleAvenueSouth
Bloomington,MN554202
Contactusatwww.Toro.com.
PrintedintheUSA
AllRightsReserved

Contents
Safety.......................................................................4
SafeOperatingPractices....................................4
ToroRidingMowerSafety...................................6
SlopeIndicator...................................................7
SafetyandInstructionalDecals..........................8
ProductOverview...................................................14
Controls...........................................................14
Operation................................................................16
AddingFuel......................................................16
CheckingtheEngine-OilLevel..........................17
BreakinginaNewMachine..............................17
ThinkSafetyFirst..............................................17
UnderstandingtheSafety-Interlock
System..........................................................18
TestingtheSafety-InterlockSystem..................18
StartingtheEngine...........................................19
OperatingtheBlades........................................19
StoppingtheEngine.........................................20
DrivingtheMachine..........................................20
StoppingtheMachine.......................................23
AdjustingtheHeight-of-Cut...............................23
AdjustingtheAnti-ScalpRollers........................23
PositioningtheSeat..........................................23
AdjustingtheMotion-ControlLevers.................24
PushingtheMachinebyHand..........................24
UsingtheGrassDeector.................................25
TransportingtheMachine.................................26
LoadingtheMachine........................................26
OperatingTips.................................................27
Maintenance...........................................................29
RecommendedMaintenanceSchedule(s)...........29
Pre-MaintenanceProcedures..............................30
RaisingtheSeat...............................................30
Lubrication..........................................................30
GreasingtheBearings......................................30
EngineMaintenance...........................................31
ServicingtheAirCleaner..................................31
ServicingtheEngineOil....................................32
ServicingtheSparkPlug...................................35
CleaningtheCoolingSystem............................36
FuelSystemMaintenance...................................37
ReplacingtheIn-LineFuelFilter.......................37
ElectricalSystemMaintenance...........................38
ChargingtheBattery.........................................38
ServicingtheFuses..........................................39
DriveSystemMaintenance..................................40
CheckingtheTirePressure...............................40
ReleasingtheElectricBrake.............................40
MowerMaintenance.............................................41
ServicingtheCuttingBlades.............................41
LevelingtheMowerDeck..................................43
RemovingtheMower........................................46
InstallingtheMower..........................................46
ReplacingtheGrassDeector..........................47
MowerBeltMaintenance......................................48
InspectingtheBelts..........................................48
ReplacingtheMowerBelt.................................48
Cleaning..............................................................49
WashingtheUndersideoftheMower................49
Storage...................................................................50
CleaningandStorage.......................................50
Troubleshooting......................................................52
Schematics.............................................................54
3

Safety
Toreducethepotentialforinjury,complywiththese
safetyinstructionsandalwayspayattentiontothe
safety-alertsymbol,whichmeansCaution,Warning,
orDanger—"personalsafetyinstruction."Failureto
complywiththeinstructionmayresultinpersonal
injuryordeath.
SafeOperatingPractices
Thisproductiscapableofamputatinghandsand
feetandthrowingobjects.Alwaysfollowallsafety
instructionstoavoidseriousinjuryordeath.
ThefollowinginstructionsareadaptedfromANSI
standardB71.1-2012.Allthelanguagewithinthis
ANSIstandardappliestothismachine;however,
duetotheapplicationofthestandardacrossmany
differenttypesofproductssomestatementscan
seemgeneralormisleading.Intheseinstances,Toro
hasrenedthestatementtoconveythemeaningof
thestandardwhilebettermatchingtheproductthis
Operator'sManualpertains.Safetyinformationin
additiontotheinstructionsfoundintheANSIstandard
belowcanbefoundinToroRidingMowerSafetyat
theendofthissection.
GeneralOperation
•Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionsin
theOperator'sManualandonthemachinebefore
starting.
•Donotplaceyourhandsorfeetnearrotatingparts
orunderthemachine.Keepclearofthedischarge
openingatalltimes.
•Allowonlyresponsibleadultswhoarefamiliarwith
theinstructionstooperatethemachine.
•Cleartheareaofobjectssuchasrocks,toys,wire,
etc.,whichcouldbepickedupandthrownbythe
blade.
•Besuretheareaisclearofotherpeoplebefore
mowing.Stopthemachineifanyoneentersthe
area.
•Nevercarrypassengers.
•Donotmowinreverseunlessabsolutely
necessary.Alwayslookdownandbehindbefore
andwhilebackingup.
•Beawareofthemowerdischargedirectionanddo
notpointitatanyone.Avoiddischargingmaterial
againstawallorobstruction.Materialmayricochet
backtowardyou.Stoptheblade(s)whencrossing
gravelsurfaces.
•Donotoperatethemachinewithoutdeector,
dischargecover,orentiregrasscollectionsystem
inplaceandworking.
•Bealert,slowdownandusecautionwhenmaking
turns.Lookbehindandtothesidebeforechanging
directions.
•Neverleavearunningmachineunattended.
Alwaysturnoffblades,setparkingbrake,shutoff
engine,andremovethekeybeforedismounting
themachine.
•Turnoffthebladeswhennotmowing.Shut
offtheengine,waitforallpartstocometo
acompletestop,andremovethekeybefore
cleaningthemachine,removingthegrasscatcher,
oruncloggingthedischargechute.
•Operatethemachineonlyindaylightorgood
articiallight.
•Donotoperatethemachinewhileunderthe
inuenceofalcoholordrugs.
•Watchfortrafcwhenoperatingnearorcrossing
roadways.
•Useextracarewhenloadingorunloadingthe
machineintoatrailerortruck.
•Wearappropriateclothingincludingeyeprotection
andsubstantial,slip-resistantshoes.Tiebacklong
hair.Donotwearjewelry.
•Alwaysfollowtherecommendationsforany
applicationofcounterweights.
•Lightningcancausesevereinjuryordeath.If
lightningisseenorthunderisheardinthearea,do
notoperatethemachine;seekshelter.
SlopeOperation
Slopesareamajorfactorrelatedtolossofcontroland
tip-overaccidents,whichcanresultinsevereinjuryor
death.Operationonallslopesrequiresextracaution.
Ifyoucannotbackuptheslopeorifyoufeeluneasy
onit,donotmowit.
•Donotmowslopesgreaterthan15degrees.
•Watchforditches,holes,rocks,dips,andrises
thatchangetheoperatingangle,asroughterrain
couldoverturnthemachine.
•Choosealowgroundspeedsothatyouwillnot
havetostopwhileoperatingonaslope.
•Donotmowslopeswhengrassiswet.Slippery
conditionsreducetractionandcouldcausesliding
andlossofcontrol.
•Alwayskeepthedrivewheelsengagedwhen
goingdownslopes.
•Reducespeedanduseextremecautiononslopes.
•Donotmakesuddenturnsorrapidspeedchanges.
•Removeormarkobstaclessuchasrocks,tree
limbs,etc.fromthemowingarea.T allgrasscan
hideobstacles.
4

•Avoidsuddenstartswhenmowinguphillbecause
themowermaytipbackward.
•Beawarethatlossoftractionmayoccurgoing
downhill.Weighttransfertothefrontwheels
maycausedrivewheelstoslipandcauselossof
brakingandsteering.
•Alwaysavoidsuddenstartingorstoppingona
slope.Ifthetireslosetraction,stopthemachine,
disengagetheblades,andproceedslowlydown
theslope.
•Useextremecarewithgrasscatchersorother
attachments.Thesecanchangethestabilityofthe
machineandcauselossofcontrol.
•Donottrytostabilizethemachinebyputtingyour
footontheground.
•Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditches,steepbanks,
orwater.Wheelsdroppingoveredgescancause
rollovers,whichmayresultinseriousinjury,death
ordrowning.
•Useawalkbehindmowerand/orahandtrimmer
neardrop-offs,ditches,steepbanks,orwater.
Children
Tragicaccidentscanoccuriftheoperatorisnot
alerttothepresenceofchildren.Childrenareoften
attractedtothemachineandthemowingactivity.
Neverassumethatchildrenwillremainwhereyou
lastsawthem.
•Keepchildrenoutofthemowingareaandunder
thewatchfulcareofanotherresponsibleadult,not
theoperator.
•Bealertandturnthemachineoffifchildrenenter
thearea.
•Beforeandwhilebackingorchangingdirection,
lookbehind,down,andside-to-sideforsmall
children.
•Nevercarrychildrenonthemachine,evenwiththe
bladesoff.Childrenmayfalloffandbeseriously
injuredorinterferewiththesafeoperationof
machine.
•Childrenwhohavebeengivenridesinthepast
maysuddenlyappearinthemowingareafor
anotherrideandberunoverorbackedoverby
themower.
•Neverallowchildrentooperatethemachine.
•Useextracarewhenapproachingblindcorners,
shrubs,trees,theendofafence,orotherobjects
thatmayobscurevision.
TowingSafety
•Donotattachtowedequipmentexceptatthehitch
point.
•Followtheattachmentmanufacturer's
recommendationforweightlimitsfortowed
equipmentandtowingonslopes.T owedweight
mustnotexceedtheweightofthemachine,
operator,andballast.Usecounterweightsor
wheelweightsasdescribedintheattachment,or
inthetowingmachine’sOperator’sManual.
•Neverallowchildrenorothersinorontowed
equipment.
•Onslopes,theweightofthetowedequipmentmay
causelossoftraction,increasedriskofrollover,
andlossofcontrol.Reducethetowedweightand
slowdown.
•Thestoppingdistanceincreaseswiththeweight
ofthetowedload.Travelslowlyandallowextra
distancetostop.
•Makewideturnstokeeptheattachmentclearof
themachine.
5

Service
SafeHandlingofGasoline
Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamage,use
extracarewhenhandlinggasolineandotherfuels.
Theyareammableandthevaporsareexplosive.
•Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipes,andother
sourcesofignition.
•Useonlyanapprovedcontainer.
•Neverremovethefuelcaporaddfuelwhenthe
engineisrunning.Allowtheenginetocoolbefore
refueling.
•Neverrefuelthemachineindoors.
•Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainerinside
wherethereisanopename,suchasneara
waterheaterorfurnace.
•Neverllcontainersinsideavehicleorona
truckortrailerwithaplasticliner.Alwaysplace
containersonthegroundawayfromyourvehicle
beforelling.
•Removefuel-poweredequipmentfromthetruck
ortrailerandrefuelitontheground.Ifthis
isnotpossible,thenrefuelsuchequipment
withaportablecontainerratherthanfroma
gasoline-dispensernozzle.
•Keepthenozzleincontactwiththerimofthefuel
tankorcontaineropeningatalltimesuntilthe
fuelingiscomplete.Donotuseanozzlelock-open
device.
•Ifyouspillfuelonclothing,changeyourclothing
immediately.
•Neveroverllthefueltank.Replacethefuelcap
andtightenitsecurely.
GeneralService
•Neveroperateamachineinsideaclosedarea.
Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,which
isanodorless,deadlypoisonthatcankillyou.
•Keepnutsandboltstight,especiallytheblade
attachmentbolts.Keepequipmentingood
condition.
•Neverinterferewiththeintendedfunctionofa
safetydeviceortoreducetheprotectionprovided
byasafetydevice.Checktheirproperoperation
regularly.
•Keepthemachinefreeofgrass,leaves,orother
debrisbuildup.Cleanupoilorfuelspillsand
fuel-soakeddebris.Allowthemachinetocool
beforestoringit.
•Stopandinspecttheequipmentifyoustrikean
object.Repair,ifnecessary,beforerestartingthe
machine.
•Nevermakeanyadjustmentsorrepairswiththe
enginerunning.
•Grasscatchercomponentsaresubjecttowear,
damage,anddeterioration,whichcouldexpose
movingpartsorallowobjectstobethrown.
Frequentlycheckcomponentsandreplacethem
withthemanufacturers'recommendedparts,when
necessary.
•Mowerbladesaresharpandcancut.Wrapthe
blade(s)orwearthickly-paddedglovesanduse
extracautionwhenservicingthem.
•Checkforproperbrakeoperationfrequently.
Adjustandserviceasrequired.
•Maintainorreplacesafetyandinstructiondecals
asnecessary.
•UseonlygenuineT ororeplacementpartsto
ensurethatoriginalstandardsaremaintained.
ToroRidingMowerSafety
Thefollowinglistcontainssafetyinformationspecic
toToroproductsorothersafetyinformationthatyou
mustknowthatmaynotbeincludedintheANSI
standards.
•Stoptheengine,movethemotion-controllevers
toNEUTRALandoutwardtothePARKposition,
disengagetheblade-controlswitch,remove
keybeforeanddisconnectsparkplugwire(s)
performinganyservice,repairs,maintenanceor
adjustments.
•Keephands,feet,hair,andlooseclothingaway
fromattachmentdischargearea,undersideof
mowerandanymovingpartswhileengineis
running.
•Donottouchequipmentorattachmentpartswhich
maybehotfromoperation.Allowtocoolbefore
attemptingtomaintain,adjustorservice.
•Batteryacidispoisonousandcancauseburns.
Avoidcontactwithskin,eyes,andclothing.Protect
yourface,eyes,andclothingwhenworkingwitha
battery.
•Batterygasescanexplode.Keepcigarettes,
sparksandamesawayfrombattery.
•UseonlyToroapprovedattachments.Warranty
maybevoidedifusedwithunapproved
attachments.
•Ifloadingthemachineontoatrailerortruck,use
asingle,full-widthramponly.Therampangle
shouldnotexceed15degrees.
6

SlopeIndicator
g011841
Figure3
Thispagemaybecopiedforpersonaluse.
1.Themaximumslopeyoucansafelyoperatethemachineonis15degrees.Usetheslopecharttodeterminethedegreeofslope
ofhillsbeforeoperating.Donotoperatethismachineonaslopegreaterthan15degrees.Foldalongtheappropriateline
tomatchtherecommendedslope.
2.Alignthisedgewithaverticalsurface,atree,building,fencepole,etc.
3.Exampleofhowtocompareslopewithfoldededge.
7

SafetyandInstructionalDecals
Safetydecalsandinstructionsareeasilyvisibletotheoperatorandarelocatednearanyarea
ofpotentialdanger.Replaceanydecalthatisdamagedorlost.
decal93-7009
93-7009
1.Warning—donotoperatethemowerwiththedeectorup
orremoved;keepthedeectorinplace.
2.Cutting/dismembermenthazardofhandorfoot,mower
blade—stayawayfrommovingparts.
decal99-3943
99-3943
ForModelswith54-inchDecks
1.Engine
decal105-7015
105-7015
ForModelswith42-inchDecks
decal106-8717
106-8717
1.Readtheinstructionsbeforeservicingorperforming
maintenance.
2.Checktirepressureevery25operatinghours.
3.Greaseevery25operatinghours.
4.Engine
8

decal112-9840
112-9840
1.ReadtheOperator's
Manual.
3.Removetheignitionkey
andreadtheinstructions
beforeservicingor
performingmaintenance.
2.Heightofcut
decal119-8814
119-8814
1.Parkingposition4.Neutral
2.Fast5.Reverse
3.Slow
decal119-8815
119-8815
1.Parkingposition4.Neutral
2.Fast5.Reverse
3.Slow
decal119-8870
119-8870
ForModelswith54-inchDecks
1.Heightofcut
decal119-8871
119-8871
ForModelswith42-inchDecks
1.Heightofcut
9

decal121-2989b
121-2989
1.Bypassleverpositionfor
pushingthemachine
2.Bypassleverpositionfor
operatingthemachine
decaloemmarkt
Manufacturer'sMark
1.Indicatesthebladeisidentiedasapartfromtheoriginal
machinemanufacturer.
decalbatterysymbols
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.
decal131-1097
131-1097
1.Oildrain
decal131-4036
131-4036
1.Maximumdrawbarpull36
kg(80lb)
2.ReadtheOperator's
Manual.
decal132-0872
132-0872
1.Thrownobject
hazard—keepbystanders
awayfromthemachine.
3.Severinghazardofhand
orfoot—keepawayfrom
movingparts.
2.Thrownobjecthazard,
raisedbafe—donot
operatethemachinewith
anopendeck;usea
baggerorabafe.
4.Entanglement
hazard—keepaway
frommovingparts;keep
allguardsandshieldsin
place.
10

decal121-0772
121-0772
ForModelswith42-inchDecks
1.Fast4.Choke
2.Continuous-variablesetting5.Powertakeoff(PTO),Blade-controlswitch
3.Slow
11

decal121-0773horizontal
121-0773
ForModelswith54-inchDecks
1.Fast4.Choke
2.Continuous-variablesetting5.Powertakeoff(PTO),blade-controlswitch
3.Slow
decal131-3947
131-3947
1.Trim—slow3.Mow—fast
2.Tow—medium
12

decal132-0869
132-0869
1.Warning—readthe
Operator'sManual.
3.Cuttinghazardofhand,
mowerblade;pinching
hazardofhand,belt—keep
handsandfeetawayfrom
movingparts;keepall
guardsandshieldsinplace.
5.Ramptipping
hazard—whenloading
ontoatrailer,donotuse
dualramps;onlyusea
singlerampwideenough
forthemachineandthat
hasaninclinelessthan
15degrees;backupthe
ramp(inreverse)anddrive
forwardofftheramp.
7.Tippinghazardon
slopes—donotuseon
slopesnearopenwater;do
notuseonslopesgreater
than15degrees.
2.Warning—beforeservicing,
engagetheparkingbrake,
removethekeyandthe
sparkplugconnection.
4.Thrownobject
hazard—keepbystanders
awayfromthemachine;
removedebrisfromthe
areabeforemowing;keep
thedeectorshielddown.
6.Bodilyharmhazard—no
riders;lookbehindyou
whenmowinginreverse.
13

ProductOverview
g028166
Figure4
1.Deector4.Height-of-cutlever7.Footrest10.Engine
2.Reardrivewheel5.Operatorseat8.Fuel-tankcap11.Engineguard
3.Motion-controllevers6.SmartSpeed™lever9.Controlpanel12.Frontcasterwheel
Controls
BecomefamiliarwithallofthecontrolsinFigure4
andFigure5beforeyoustarttheengineandoperate
themachine.
g032603
Figure5
Controlpanel
1.Throttle3.Blade-controlswitch
(powertakeoff)
2.Choke4.Ignitionswitch
IgnitionSwitch
Theignitionswitchhas3positions:OFF,RUN,and
START.ThekeyturnstoSTARTandmovesbackto
RUNuponrelease.TurningthekeytotheOFFposition
stopstheengine;however,alwaysremovethekey
whenleavingthemachinetopreventsomeonefrom
accidentallystartingtheengine(Figure5).
ThrottleControl
Thethrottlecontrolstheenginespeedandithasa
continuousvariablesettingfromSlowtoFast(Figure
5).
ChokeControl
PullupontheChokecontroluntilitstopstochokethe
engine(Figure5).PushdownontheChokecontrol
fornormalengineoperation
Blade-ControlSwitch(Power
Takeoff)
Theblade-controlswitch,representedbya
power-takeoff(PTO)symbol,engagesand
disengagespowertothemowerblades(Figure5).
14

Motion-ControlLeversandPark
Position
Themotion-controlleversarespeed-sensitivecontrols
ofindependentwheelmotors.Movingaleverforward
orbackwardturnsthewheelonthesamesideforward
orinreverse;thewheelspeedisproportionaltothe
amountyoumovethelever.Movethemotion-control
leversoutwardfromthecentertothePARKposition
whenexitingthemachine(Figure14).Alwaysposition
themotion-controlleversintothePARKpositionwhen
youstopthemachineorleaveitunattended.
SmartSpeed™ControlSystem
Lever
TheSmartSpeed™Control-Systemlever,located
belowtheoperatingposition,givesyouachoiceto
drivethemachineat3speedranges—trim,tow,and
mow(Figure17).
Fuel-PresenceWindow
Youcanusethefuelwindow,locatedontheleftside
ofthemachine,toverifythepresenceofgasolinein
thetank(Figure6).
g014521
Figure6
1.Fuel-presencewindow
Height-of-CutLever
Usetheheight-of-cutlevertolowerandraisethedeck
fromtheseatedposition.Movingtheleverup(toward
you)raisesthedeckfromthegroundandmovingthe
leverdown(awayfromyou)lowersthedecktoward
theground.Adjusttheheight-of-cutonlywhilethe
machineisnotmoving(Figure18).
HourMeter(MXModelsOnly)
Thehourmeterrecordsthenumberofhourswhen
youareintheseatandtheignitionswitchisintheON
position(Figure7).
g027869
Figure7
1.Hourmeterlocationbehindtheseat
15

Operation
Note:Determinetheleftandrightsidesofthe
machinefromthenormaloperatingposition.
AddingFuel
•Forbestresults,useonlyclean,fresh(lessthan
30daysold),unleadedgasolinewithanoctane
ratingof87orhigher((R+M)/2ratingmethod).
•Ethanol:Gasolinewithupto10%ethanol
(gasohol)or15%MTBE(methyltertiarybutyl
ether)byvolumeisacceptable.Ethanoland
MTBEarenotthesame.Gasolinewith15%
ethanol(E15)byvolumeisnotapprovedforuse.
Neverusegasolinethatcontainsmorethan
10%ethanolbyvolume,suchasE15(contains
15%ethanol),E20(contains20%ethanol),orE85
(containsupto85%ethanol).Usingunapproved
gasolinemaycauseperformanceproblemsand/or
enginedamagewhichmaynotbecoveredunder
warranty.
•Donotusegasolinecontainingmethanol.
•Donotstorefueleitherinthefueltankorfuel
containersoverthewinterunlessafuelstabilizer
isused.
•Donotaddoiltogasoline.
DANGER
Incertainconditions,gasolineisextremely
ammableandhighlyexplosive.Areor
explosionfromgasolinecanburnyouand
othersandcandamageproperty.
•Fillthefueltankoutdoors,inanopenarea,
whentheengineiscold.Wipeupany
gasolinethatspills.
•Neverllthefueltankinsideanenclosed
trailer.
•Donotllthefueltankcompletelyfull.Add
gasolinetothefueltankuntilthelevelis6
to13mm(1/4to1/2inch)belowthebottom
ofthellerneck.Thisemptyspaceinthe
tankallowsgasolinetoexpand.
•Neversmokewhenhandlinggasoline,and
stayawayfromanopenameorwhere
gasolinefumesmaybeignitedbyaspark.
•Storegasolineinanapprovedcontainer
andkeepitoutofthereachofchildren.
Neverbuymorethana30-daysupplyof
gasoline.
•Donotoperatewithoutentireexhaust
systeminplaceandinproperworking
condition.
DANGER
Incertainconditionsduringfueling,static
electricitycanbereleased,causingaspark
thatcanignitethegasolinevapors.Areor
explosionfromgasolinecanburnyouand
othersandcandamageproperty.
•Alwaysplacegasolinecontainersonthe
groundawayfromyourvehiclebefore
lling.
•Donotllgasolinecontainersinsidea
vehicleoronatruckortrailerbed,because
interiorcarpetsorplastictruckbedliners
mayinsulatethecontainerandslowthe
lossofanystaticcharge.
•Whenpractical,removegas-powered
equipmentfromthetruckortrailerand
refueltheequipmentwithitswheelsonthe
ground.
•Ifthisisnotpossible,thenrefuelsuch
equipmentonatruckortrailerfroma
portablecontainerratherthanfroma
gasoline-dispensernozzle.
•Ifyoumustuseagasoline-dispenser
nozzle,keepthenozzleincontactwiththe
rimofthefueltankorcontaineropeningat
alltimesuntilfuelingiscomplete.
WARNING
Gasolineisharmfulorfatalifswallowed.
Long-termexposuretovaporscancause
seriousinjuryandillness.
•Avoidprolongedbreathingofvapors.
•Keepfaceawayfromnozzleandgastank
orconditionerbottleopening.
•Avoidcontactwithskin;washoffspills
withsoapandwater.
UsingStabilizer/Conditioner
Useafuelstabilizer/conditionerinthemachineto
providethefollowingbenets:
•Keepsgasolinefreshduringstorageof90daysor
less.Forlongerstorageitisrecommendedthat
thefueltankbedrained.
•Cleanstheenginewhileitruns.
•Eliminatesgum-likevarnishbuildupinthefuel
system,whichcauseshardstarting.
Important:Donotusefueladditives
containingmethanolorethanol.
16

Addthecorrectamountofgasoline
stabilizer/conditionertothegasoline.
Note:Afuelstabilizer/conditionerismosteffective
whenmixedwithfreshgasoline.Tominimizethe
chanceofvarnishdepositsinthefuelsystem,use
fuelstabilizeratalltimes.
FillingtheFuelTank
Note:Ensurethattheengineisshutoffandthe
motion-controlleversareinthePARKEDposition.
Note:Youcanusethefuelwindowtoverifythe
presenceofgasolinebeforellingthetank(Figure8).
Important:Donotoverllthefueltank.Fillthe
fueltanktothebottomofthellerneck.The
emptyspaceinthetankallowsthefueltoexpand.
Overllingmayresultinfuelleakage,damageto
theengine,ordamagetotheemissionssystem.
g027243
Figure8
CheckingtheEngine-Oil
Level
Beforeyoustarttheengineandusethemachine,
checktheoillevelintheenginecrankcase;referto
CheckingtheEngine-OilLevel(page32).
BreakinginaNewMachine
Newenginestaketimetodevelopfullpower.Mower
decksanddrivesystemshavehigherfrictionwhen
new,placingadditionalloadontheengine.Allow
40to50hoursofbreak-intimefornewmachinesto
developfullpowerandbestperformance.
ThinkSafetyFirst
Pleasereadallsafetyinstructionsandsymbolsinthe
safetysection.Knowingthisinformationcouldhelp
youorbystandersavoidinjury.
DANGER
Operatingthemachineonwetgrassorsteep
slopescancauseslidingandlossofcontrol.
•Donotoperateonslopesgreaterthan15
degrees.
•Reducespeedanduseextremecautionon
slopes.
•Donotoperatethemachinenearwater.
DANGER
Wheelsdroppingoveredgescancause
rollovers,whichmayresultinseriousinjury,
death,ordrowning.
Donotoperatethemachineneardrop-offs.
g000513
Figure9
1.Safezone—usethe
machinehere
3.Water
2.Useawalk-behindmower
and/orhandtrimmernear
drop-offsandwater.
17

CAUTION
Thismachineproducessoundlevelsin
excessof85dBAattheoperator’searand
cancausehearinglossthroughextended
periodsofexposure.
Wearhearingprotectionwhenoperatingthis
machine.
Useprotectiveequipmentforyoureyes,ears,hands,
feet,andhead.
g009027
Figure10
1.Wearsafetyglasses.2.Wearhearingprotection.
Understandingthe
Safety-InterlockSystem
WARNING
Ifthesafety-interlockswitchesare
disconnectedordamaged,themachinecould
operateunexpectedly,causingpersonal
injury.
•Donottamperwiththeinterlockswitches.
•Checktheoperationoftheinterlock
switchesdailyandreplaceanydamaged
switchesbeforeoperatingthemachine.
Thesafety-interlocksystemisdesignedtopreventthe
enginefromstartingunless:
•Thebladesaredisengaged.
•Themotion-controlleversareinthePARKposition.
Thesafety-interlocksystemalsoisdesignedtostop
theenginewheneverthecontrolleversareoutofthe
PARKpositionandyourisefromtheseat.
TestingtheSafety-Interlock
System
Testthesafety-interlocksystembeforeyouusethe
machineeachtime.Ifthesafetysystemdoesnot
operateasdescribedbelow,haveanAuthorized
ServiceDealerrepairthesafetysystemimmediately.
1.Whilesittingontheseat,withthecontrollevers
inthePARKposition,andmovetheblade-control
switchtotheONposition.Trystartingthe
engine;theengineshouldnotcrank.
2.Whilesittingontheseat,movetheblade-control
switchtotheOFFposition.Moveeithermotion
controllevertothecenter,unlockedposition.Try
startingtheengine;theengineshouldnotcrank.
Repeatwiththeothermotion-controllever.
3.Whilesittingontheseat,movetheblade
controlswitchtotheOFFposition,andlockthe
motion-controlleversinthePARKposition.Start
theengine.Whiletheengineisrunning,engage
theblade-controlswitch,andriseslightlyfrom
theseat;theengineshouldstop.
4.Whilesittingontheseat,movetheblade-control
switchtotheOFFposition,andlockthe
motion-controlleversinthePARKposition.Start
theengine.Whiletheengineisrunning,move
themotion-controlleverstothecenter,unlocked
position,engagetheblade-controlswitch,and
riseslightlyfromtheseat;theengineshould
stop.
18

StartingtheEngine
Note:Awarmorhotenginemaynotrequirechoking.
Important:Donotengagethestarterformore
than5secondsatatime.Engagingthestarter
motorformorethan5secondscandamagethe
startermotor.Iftheenginefailstostart,wait10
secondsbeforeoperatingtheenginestarteragain.
g027581
Figure11
OperatingtheBlades
Theblade-controlswitchengagesanddisengages
powertothemowerblades.Thisswitchcontrols
powertoanyattachmentsthatdrawpowerfromthe
engine,includingthemowerdeckandcuttingblades.
EngagingtheBlades
Important:Donotengagethebladeswhenthe
machineisparkedintallgrass.Beltorclutch
damagecanoccur.
Note:Alwaysengagethebladeswiththethrottlein
theFASTposition.
g027582
Figure12
DisengagingtheBlades
g027538
Figure13
1.Power-takeoff(PTO)switch
19

StoppingtheEngine
1.Disengagethebladesbymovingthe
blade-controlswitchtotheOFFposition(Figure
13).
2.MovethethrottlelevertotheFASTposition.
3.TurntheignitionkeytotheOFFpositionand
removethekey.
DrivingtheMachine
Thedrivewheelsturnindependently,poweredby
hydraulicmotorsoneachaxle.Youcanturn1side
inreversewhileyouturntheotherforward,causing
themachinetospinratherthanturn.Thisgreatly
improvesthemachinemaneuverabilitybutmay
requiresometimeforyoutoadapttohowitmoves.
WARNING
Themachinecanspinveryrapidly.You
maylosecontrolofthemachineandcause
personalinjuryordamagetothemachine.
•Usecautionwhenmakingturns.
•Slowthemachinedownbeforemaking
sharpturns.
Thethrottlecontrolregulatestheenginespeedas
measuredinrpm(revolutionsperminute).Setthe
throttlecontrolintheFASTpositionforperformance.
Formostapplications,operatethemachineinthe
full-throttleposition.
g004532
Figure14
1.Park(brake)position4.Backward
2.Center,unlockposition5.Frontofthemachine
3.Forward
20