Walker Mowers - PREOPERATING CHECKLIST

Assembly Instructions
24
PREOPERATING CHECKLIST
Before operating the mower for the rst time, and as
a routine before daily operations, it is important to
make sure the mower is properly prepared and ready
for operation. The following is a list of items to be
checked. (For a mower with frequent operation,
some of these items will not need to be checked every
day, but the operator should be aware of the condition
of each.)
For proper fuel and lubricants refer to Specications.
FILL FUEL TANK
Fill the fuel tank using clean, fresh, automotive grade
unleaded gasoline (87 octane rating mini mum) or
gasohol (up to 10% ethyl alcohol, 90% unleaded
gasoline by volume). See engine manual for com-
plete fuel recommendations.
DANGER
Handle gasoline with care. Gasoline is high-
ly ammable and its vapors are explosive.
Use safe refueling procedures:
• DO NOT ll fuel tank with the engine run-
ning.
• If the engine is hot, allow to cool before
refueling.
• Use an approved fuel container.
• Fuel the mower outdoors.
• DO NOT smoke while refueling.
• Avoid spilling fuel; use a funnel or spout.
• DO NOT overll the fuel tank(s); ll up to
about 1 in. (25 mm) below the top of tank.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT permit dirt or other foreign
matter to enter the fuel tanks. Wipe dirt from around
the ller cap(s) before removing. Use a clean fuel
storage container and funnel.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT mix oil with gasoline.
Always use fresh, automotive grade unleaded gas-
oline or gasohol. DO NOT use premium, white, or
high-test gasoline. DO NOT use additives, such as
carburetor cleaners, deicers, or moisture removing
agents. DO NOT use gasoline blended with methyl
alcohol.
CHECK ENGINE CRANKCASE OIL LEVEL
Check the engine crankcase oil level before use and
after each 8 hours of continuous operation. Refer to
LUBRICATION for Checking Engine Crankcase Oil
Level in Maintenance Instructions.
CHECK AND SERVICE ENGINE AIR CLEAN-
ER SYSTEM
• Check air lter restriction gauge to make sure the
yellow indicator disk is in the safe operating
(green) range.
• Check condition, cleanliness, and security of the
complete air cleaner system (inspect air lter ev-
ery 100 hours). For detailed procedures, refer
to CLEANING the Engine Air Cleaner System
in Maintenance Instructions.
CHECK ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Check that the engine cooling air intake screen is free
of obstruction by grass clippings or debris and clean
if required. Also, cylinder head cooling ns should be
inspected and cleaned if any build-up of debris is
noted [remove two (2) cylinder head ac cess panels
to inspect and clean].
Check performance of the cooling system by starting
the engine, holding a hand adjacent to the cylinder
heads, and feeling the cooling airow.
DANGER
Make sure to keep hands clear of exhaust
pipe, mufer, and moving parts when
checking airow.
CHECK SECURITY OF DRIVE TIRE MOUNT-
ING NUTS
The eight (8) Drive Tire mounting nuts should each
be torqued to 75 to 85 lb·ft (102 to 115 N
·m).
INSPECT FOUR (4) DRIVE BELTS
Engine/PTO (3) and Ground Drive.
CHECK HYDROSTATIC TRANSAXLE OIL
LEVEL
Refer to LUBRICATION for Transaxle Lubrication
in Maintenance Instructions.