Operator's Manual

23
indicated by their smell. An adjustment to the brakes may
be required after break-in; refer to Adjusting the Brakes,
page 32.
Starting and Stopping the
Machine
Starting
Important The fuel system may have to be bled if any
of the following situations have occurred:
• Initial start up of a new engine
• The engine has ceased running due to lack of fuel.
• Maintenance has been performed upon fuel system
components; ie. filter replaced, etc.
Refer to Bleeding the Fuel System, page 23.
Important Do not use ether or other types of starting
fluid.
1. Be sure the parking brake is set, the raise/lower mow
control is disengaged, and the functional control is in
the neutral position.
2. Remove your foot from the traction pedal and make
sure the pedal is in the neutral position.
3. Move the throttle lever to full throttle position.
4. Insert the key into the switch and rotate it to On. Hold it
in the On position until the glow plug indicator light
goes off (approximately 6 seconds).
5. Immediately turn the ignition key to the Start position.
Release the key when the engine starts and allow it to
move to the On position. Move the throttle control to
Slow.
Important To prevent overheating of the starter motor,
do not engage the starter longer than 10 seconds. After 10
seconds of continuous cranking, wait 60 seconds before
engaging the starter motor again.
6. When the engine is started for the first time, or after an
overhaul of the engine, operate the machine in forward
and reverse for one to two minutes. Turn the steering
wheel to the left and right to check the steering
response. Then shut the engine off (see Stopping in
Starting and Stopping the Engine, page 23) and wait for
all moving parts to stop. Check for oil leaks, loose parts
and any other noticeable malfunctions.
Stopping
1. Move the throttle control to Slow, disengage the
raise/lower mow control, and move the functional
control to neutral.
2. Rotate the starter key to Off to shut the engine off.
Remove the key from the switch to prevent accidental
starting.
3. Close the fuel shut-off valves before storing the
machine.
Bleeding the Fuel System
1. Position the machine on a level surface. Make sure the
fuel tank is at least half full.
2. Press the primer button on top of the fuel filter until
resistance is felt (Fig. 28).
1
2
3
Figure 28
1. Fuel filter
2. Priming pump
3. Drain plug
3. Start the engine and continue to operate the primer
button until the engine runs smooth.
Testing the Safety Interlock
System
If safety interlock switches are disconnected or
damaged the machine could operate unexpectedly
causing personal injury.
• Do not tamper with the interlock switches.
• Check the operation of the interlock switches
daily and replace any damaged switches before
operating the machine.
• Replace switches every two years regardless of
whether they are operating properly or not.
Caution
The purpose of the safety interlock system is to prevent
operation of the machine where there is possible injury to
the operator or the machine.
The safety interlock system prevents the engine from
starting unless: