Bush Hog ZERO TURN MOWERS - Manual (Page 11)

SECTION II
OPERATION
GENERAL SAFETY
Only qualified people familiar with this operator’s
manual should operate this machine. Operator
should wear hard hat, safety glasses, and safety
shoes. Avoid loose fitting clothing or jewelry. The
operator should read, understand and practice all
safety messages shown on the caution, warning and
danger decals affixed to the machine to avoid seri-
ous injury or death. Before beginning operation, clear
work area of any objects that may be picked up and
thrown by mower. Check for ditches, stumps, holes
or other obstacles that could upset power unit or
damage mower. Always push steering levers apart,
set parking brake, disengage PTO, turn off engine,
and allow blades to come to a complete stop before
leaving operator’s seat. Do not operate without all
shields in place and in good condition.
PRE-OPERATION CHECKLIST
1. Make sure fuel tank is full. Use regular unleaded
gasoline. (See engine owner’s manual for more
details)
2. Make sure dirt and foreign matter are kept out of
fuel tank. Use a clean funnel and fuel can.
3. Do not mix oil with gasoline.
4. Do not use white, high test or premium gasoline.
Do not use de-icers, carburetor cleaners or other
such additives.
5. Check the crankcase oil level. Make sure the
engine is off. The mower should be parked on a
level area. Do not overfill. (See your engine man-
ual for more detailed instructions.)
6. Check the hydrostatic transmission oil level. (See
“Maintenance” section of this manual.)
7. Check battery fluid level.
AVOID SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH:
GASOLINE IS EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE AND
EXPLOSIVE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
● REFUEL IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA WITH
ENGINE STOPPED.
● DO NOT SMOKE OR ALLOW FLAMES OR
SPARKS IN THE REFUELING AREA OR
WHERE GASOLINE IS BEING STORED.
● DO NOT OVERFILL FUEL TANK. AFTER
REFUELING, MAKE CERTAIN THE TANK CAP
IS CLOSED PROPERLY AND SECURELY.
● BE CAREFUL NOT TO SPILL FUEL WHEN
REFUELING. FUEL VAPOR OR SPILLED FUEL
MAY IGNITE. IF ANY FUEL IS SPILLED, MAKE
SURE THE AREA IS DRY BEFORE STARTING
THE ENGINE.
● KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
WARNING
11. Make sure mower blades are sharp and secured
tightly.
12. Clean the air intake screen on the engine if
necessary.
13. Perform any other maintenance as it becomes
necessary. (See “Maintenance” section)
14.Check low oil pressure warning buzzer for opera-
tion. (It should “sound-off” whenever ignition key
is in the “on” position, but engine is not running.)
15. Check parking brake operation by disengaging
hydrostatic pumps (freewheeling position), and
placing the brake lever in the “on” position.
Attempt to rock tractor by hand. Both drive wheels
should be locked. When the brake handle is in the
“off” position, both drive wheels should turn freely.
If there is a problem in either position, refer to
adjustment procedure in the maintenance section.
OPERATION
1. MOVE CONTROL LEVERS TO neutral “OUT”
position by pushing each one straight sideways.
2. SET PARKING BRAKE. Pull rearward to set.
3. DISENGAGE MOWER BLADE CLUTCH by
moving clutch switch to “OFF” (down) position.
4. SET ENGINE CHOKE CONTROL for cold starts
to full position.
5. SET ENGINE THROTTLE TO 1/2 throttle.
6. TURN IGNITION KEY to “START” position and
release to “RUN” as soon as engine starts.
NOTE: Prolonged cranking will damage starter
motor and shorten the battery life.
7. ADJUST ENGINE THROTTLE AND CHOKE for
desired engine smoothness and speed. NOTE:
When mowing, always run engine at full throttle.
8. RELEASE PARKING BRAKE. Push brake lever
forward to release.
9
8. Inspect V-belts
9. Check tire pressure: Deck tires - 11”, 22 psi,
Tire Sealant Filled; Drive tires - 20”, Turf Tire -
22 psi, Bar Tire - 22 psi, Knobby Tire (ATV Type)
- 5 psi; Rear tires - 13”, 18 psi.
10. Make sure underside of mower deck is free of
grass.
WARNING
ENGINE EXHAUST GASES CONTAIN
POISONOUS CARBON MONOXIDE.
● NEVER RUN ENGINE IN A CLOSED BUILDING
OR CONFINED AREA.
● AVOID INHALING EXHAUST GASES.