17
Pushing The Rider By Hand
NOTE: Do not disengage the transmissions if parked on 
a slope.
 1.  Turn the mower blades OFF, push the ground speed 
control levers out to their START/PARK positions, 
engage the parking brake, turn the ignition switch 
OFF, remove the key, and wait for all moving parts 
to stop.
 2.  Locate the transmission release levers (C, Figure 3) 
at the rear of the unit.
 3.  Pull both levers back and down to release the 
transmissions (position B, Figure 3).
 4.  Pull the ground speed control levers in to their DRIVE 
positions, and disengage the parking brake.
    The rider can now be pushed by hand.
 5.  After moving the rider, set the ground speed control 
levers to START/PARK, engage the parking brake, 
and push both transmission release levers forward to 
re-engage the transmissions (position A, Figure 3).  
NOTICE
DO NOT TOW RIDER
Towing the unit will cause transmission damage. Do 
not use another vehicle to push or pull this unit. Do not 
use this unit to push or pull another vehicle or object.
Figure 3.  Transmission Release Levers
A
B
C
Starting The Engine
 1.  While sitting in the seat, make sure the mower blade 
switch is OFF, the ground speed control levers are 
locked in START/PARK positions, and the parking 
brake is engaged.
 2.  Move the engine speed control/choke to the choke 
position for starting a cold engine. A warm engine 
may not require choking. 
 3.  Insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it to 
START to crank the engine.
 4.  After the engine starts, release the key.  It will return 
to the RUN position.  
 5.  Move the engine speed control/choke to the FAST 
position to increase engine speed and SLOW position 
to decrease engine speed. Always operate with 
engine speed set to FAST. 
 6.  Warm the engine by running it for at least a minute 
before turning on the mower blades, or driving the 
unit.
 ALWAYS operate the unit with the engine speed 
control set to FAST when mowing or driving.  
NEVER engage the mower blades with the engine 
speed set to SLOW.
Mowing
 1.  Start the engine (see STARTING THE ENGINE).
 2.  Set the mower cutting height to the desired setting 
using the mower cutting height switch.  
 3.  Set the engine speed control to FAST.
 4.  Turn the mower blades ON (pull switch up).
 5.  Disengage the parking brake.
 6.  Move the ground speed control levers in from START/
PARK positions to drive positions (levers in across the 
operator’s lap).
 7.  Begin mowing.  See DRIVING PRACTICE.
 8.  When finished, turn the mower blades OFF (push 
switch down).
 9.  Stop the rider and engine (see 
STOPPING THE RIDER AND ENGINE).
Operation