Axion Lawn Mower CZT2142 User Manual

OPERATOR’S  
MANUAL  
Axion / 150Z Series  
18.5, 21, 26HP Zero-Turn Rirs  
Mfg. No.  
Description  
7800611  
7800616  
7800620  
7800625  
7800612  
7800617  
7800615  
7800621  
7800626  
7800624  
7800630  
Simplicity AModel ZT18533, 18.5HP w/ 33” Mower  
Simplicity An Model CZT18533, 18.5HP w/ 33” Mower (California Model)  
Snapper 150Z Model SC18533, 18.5HP w/ 33” Mower  
Snapper 150Z Model CSC18533, 18.5HP w/ 33” Mower (California Model)  
Simplicity Axion Model ZT2142, 21HP w/ 42” Mower  
Simplicity Axion Model CZT2142, 21HP w/ 42” Mower (California Model)  
Simplicity Axion Model ZT2142, 21HP w/ 42” Mower (Australia Model)  
Snapper 150Z Model SC2142, 21HP w/ 42” Mower  
Snapper 150Z Model CSC2142, 21HP w/ 42” Mower (California Model)  
Snapper 150Z Model SC2142, 21HP w/ 42” Mower (Australia Model)  
Snapper 150Z Model SC26520, 26HP w/ 52” Mower  
Manual No. 7103857  
Revision ‘-’, 10/27/2009  
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TABLE OF CONTENTS  
Safety Rules  
General Operation...................................................4  
Service & Adjustments  
Ground Speed Control Lever Adjustment .............30  
Speed Balancing Adjustment................................30  
Cutting Height Adjustment ....................................30  
PTO Clutch Adjustment.........................................30  
Brake Adjustment..................................................31  
Battery Charging...................................................31  
Engine Adjustments..............................................31  
Mower Deck Leveling Adjustments .......................32  
Mower Belt Replacement......................................36  
Transportation & Storage ........................................4  
Slope Operation ......................................................5  
Towed Equipment....................................................5  
Children...................................................................5  
Emissions................................................................5  
Ignition System .......................................................5  
Slope Sighting Guide ..............................................6  
Service & Maintenance...........................................7  
Safety & Operation Decals......................................8  
Identification Numbers................................................9  
Operation  
Storage..................................................................37  
Troubleshooting  
Troubleshooting the Rider - Chart.........................38  
Control Functions..................................................10  
Troubleshooting the Mower - Chart.......................39  
Specifications ............................................................40  
Service Items .............................................................41  
Lawn Care ..............................................................LC-1  
General Operating Safety .....................................11  
Checks before Starting..........................................12  
Fuel Recommendations........................................12  
Emergency Stopping.............................................13  
Stopping the Rider and Engine.............................13  
Starting the Engine ...............................................13  
Mowing..................................................................13  
Pushing the Rider by Hand ...................................13  
Driving Practice.....................................................14  
Mower Deck Removal & Installation.............16  
Maintenance  
Maintenance Schedule ......................................18  
Rider Maintenance  
Accessing the Engine Compartment.....................1
Clean Debris from Rider and Engine ....................19  
Clean Debris from Engine Cooling Areas .....19  
Check Tire Pressure.......................................19  
Lubrication .......................................................20  
Clean Deck & Check/Replace er Blades .......21  
Clean the Battery & Cables...................................24  
Check Rider Safety System ..................................24  
Check/Adjust PTO Clutch......................................25  
Engine Maintenance  
Check Engine Oil Level.........................................26  
Change Engine Oil................................................26  
Change Engine Oil & Filter ...................................26  
Service Air Filter & Pre-Cleaner............................27  
Replace Spark Plug ..............................................29  
NOTE: In this manual, “left” and “right” are referred to as seen from the operating position.  
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SAFETY RULES  
Read these safety rules and follow them closely. Failure to obey these rules could result in loss of control  
of unit, severe personal injury or death to you, or bystanders, or damage to property or equipment.  
This mowing deck is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects.  
The triangle  
in text signifies important cautions or warnings which must be followed.  
19. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wheel  
weights or counterweights.  
GENERAL OPERATION  
1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the  
manual and on the unit before starting.  
20. Keep in mind the operator is responsible for accidents  
occurring to other people or property.  
2. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under  
the machine. Keep clear of the discharge opening at  
all times.  
21. All drivers should seek and obtain professional and  
practical instruction.  
22. Always wear substantial footwear and trousers.  
Never operate when barefoot or wearing sandals.  
23. Before using, always visually check that the blades  
and blade hardware are present, intact, and secure.  
Replace worn or damaged parts.  
24. Disengage attachments before: refueling, removing  
an attachment, making adjustments (unless the  
adjustment can be made from the operator’s  
position).  
25. When the machine is parked, stored, or left  
unattended, lower the cutting means unless a positive  
mechanical lock is used.  
26. Before leaving the operator’s position for any reason,  
engage the parking brake, disengage the blades  
(PTO), stop the enge, and remove the key.  
2reduce fire hazeep the unit free of grass,  
aves, & excess oil. Do not stop or park over dry  
leaves, grass, or combustible materials.  
28. It is a violation of California Public Resource Code  
Section 4442 to use or operate the engine on or near  
any forest-covered, brush-covered, or grass-covered  
land unless the exhaust system is equipped with a  
sark arrester meeting any applicable local or state  
Other states or federal areas may have similar  
l
OSHA regulations may require the use of hearing  
rotection when exposed to sound levels greater than  
85 dBA for an 8 hour time period.  
3. Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar with  
the instructions, to operate the unit (local regulations  
can restrict operator age).  
4. Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire,  
etc., which could be picked up and thrown by the  
blade(s).  
5. Be sure the area is clear of other people before  
mowing. Stop the unit if anyone enters the area.  
6. Never carry passengers.  
7. Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary.  
Always look down and behind before and while  
travelling in reverse.  
8. Never direct discharge material toward anyone. Avoid  
discharging material against a wall or obstruction.  
Material may ricochet back toward the operator. Stop  
the blade(s) when crossing gravel surfaces.  
9. Do not operate the machine without the entire grass  
catcher, discharge guard (deflector), or other safety  
devices in place and operational.  
10. Slow down before turning.  
11. Never leave a running unit unattended. Alway
disengage the blades (PTO), set parking brakep  
engine, and remove keys before dismounting.  
12. Disengage blades (PTO) when not mowing. Shut off  
engine and wait for all parts to come to a complete  
stop before cleaning the machine, removing the grass  
catcher, or unclogging the discharge guard.  
13. Operate the machine only in daylight or good artificial  
light.  
14. Do not operate the unit while under the influence
alcohol or drugs.  
CAUTION  
15 Watch for traffic when operating near or croing  
roadways.  
This machine produces sound levels in  
excess of 85 dBA at the operator’s ear and  
can cause hearing loss though extended  
periods of exposure.  
16. Use extra care when loading or unlog the unit  
into a trailer or truck.  
17. Always wear eye protection when operating this unit.  
18. Data indicates that operators, age 60 years and  
above, are involved in a large percentage of power  
equipment-related injuries. These operators should  
evaluate their ability to operate the equipment safely  
enough to protect themselves and others from injury.  
Wear hearing protection when operating this  
machine.  
TRANSPORTING AND STORAGE  
1. When transporting the unit on an open trailer, make  
sure it is facing forward, in the direction of travel. If  
the unit is facing backwards, wind lift could damage  
the unit.  
3. Never store the unit (with fuel) in an enclosed poorly  
ventilated structure. Fuel vapors can travel to an  
ignition source (such as a furnace, water heater, etc.)  
and cause an explosion. Fuel vapor is also toxic to  
humans and animals.  
4. Never store the unit or fuel container inside where  
there is an open flame or pilot light, such as near a  
water heater. Allow unit to cool before storing.  
2. Always observe safe refueling and fuel handling  
practices when refueling the unit after transportation  
or storage.  
4
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SLOPE OPERATION  
WARNING  
Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and tip-  
over accidents, which can result in severe injury or death.  
Operation on all slopes requires extra caution. If you cannot  
back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not operate  
on it.  
Never operate on slopes greater than 17.6 percent  
(10°) which is a rise of 3-1/2 feet (106 cm) vertically in  
20 feet (607 cm) horizontally.  
Select slow ground speed before driving onto slope.  
Use extra caution when operating on slopes with rear-  
mounted grass catchers.  
Mow up and down the face of slopes, not across. Use  
caution when changing directions and DO NOT  
START OR STOP ON SLOPE.  
Control of a walk-behind or ride-on machine sliding on a  
slope will not be regained by the application of the brake.  
The main reasons for loss of control are: insufficient tire  
grip on the ground, speed too fast, inadequate braking, the  
type of machine is unsuitable for its task, lack of awareness  
of the ground conditions, incorrect hitching and load  
distribution.  
1. Mow up and down the face of slopes, not across.  
2. Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could  
overturn the unit. Tall grass can hide obstacles.  
3. Choose a slow speed so that you will not have to stop  
or change speeds while on the slope.  
4. Do not mow on wet grass. Tires may loose traction.  
5. Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a slope. If tires  
lose traction (i.e. machine stops forward motion on a  
slope), disengage the blade(s) (PTO) and drive  
slowly off the slope.  
CHILDREN  
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the  
presence of children. Children are often attracted to the unit  
and the mowing activity. Never assume that children will  
remain where you lsaw them.  
. Keep children f the mowing area and under the  
watchful care of another responsible adult.  
2. Be alert and turn unit off if children enter the area.  
3. Before and during reverse operation, look behind and  
down for small children.  
4. Never carry children, even with the blade(s) off. They  
may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with  
safe unit operation. Children who have been given  
des in the past may suddenly appear in the mowing  
area for another ride and be run over or backed over  
by the machine.  
5. Never allow children to operate the unit.  
6. Use extra care when approaching blind corners,  
shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure  
vision.  
6. Keep all movement on slopes slow and gradual. Do  
not make sudden changes in speed or direction,  
which could cause the machine to rollover.  
7. Use extra care while operating machines with grass  
catchers or other attachments; they can affect he  
stability of the unit. Do not use on steeps slopes.  
8. Do not try to stabilize the machine by puttour  
foot on the ground (ride-on units).  
9. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or  
embankments. The mower could suddenly turn over if  
a wheel is over the edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an  
edge caves in.  
10. Do not use grass catchers on steep slopes.  
11. Do not mow slopes if you cannot back up them.  
12. See your authorized dealer/retailer for  
recommendations of wheel weights or  
counterweights to improve stability.  
13. Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree lbs, etc.  
14. Use slow speed. Tires may lose ton on slopes  
even through the brakes are funning properly.  
15. Do not turn on slopes unless necessary, and then,  
turn slowly and gradually uphill, if possible. Never  
mow down slopes.  
EMISSIONS  
1. Engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals  
known, in certain quantities, to cause cancer, birth  
defects, or other reproductive harm.  
2. Look for the relevant Emissions Durability Period and  
Air Index information on the engine emissions label.  
TOWED EQUIPMENT (RIDE-ON UNITS)  
IGNITION SYSTEM  
1. Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for  
towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the  
hitch point.  
1. This spark ignition system complies with Canadian  
ICES-002.  
2. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for  
weight limit for towed equipment and towing on  
slopes. See attaching a trailer under OPERATION.  
3. Never allow children or others in or on towed  
equipment.  
4. On slopes, the weight of the towed equipment may  
cause loss of traction and loss of control.  
5. Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop.  
6. Do not shift to neutral and coast down hill.  
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SUGGESTED GUIDE FOR SIGHTING SLOPES FOR SAFE OPERATION  
ONLY RIDP AND DOWN L,  
NOT ACROSS HILL  
10 DEGREMAX.  
WARNING: avoid serious injury, operate your unit up and  
down e fce of slopes, never across the face. Do not operate  
on s greater than 10 degrees. Make turns gradually to  
prevent tipping or loss of control. Exercise extreme caution  
when changing direction on slopes. Braking may be affected by  
attachments. Reduce speed on slopes.  
1. Fold this page along dotted line indicated above.  
2. Hold page before you so that its left edge is vertically parallel to a tree  
trunk or other upright structure.  
3. Sight across the fold in the direction of hill slope you want to measure.  
4. Compare the angle of the fold with the slope of the hill.  
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13. If the fuel tank must be drained, it should be drained  
outdoors.  
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE  
Safe Handling of Gasoline  
1. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other  
sources of ignition.  
2. Use only approved gasoline containers.  
3. Never remove the gas cap or add fuel with the engine  
running. Allow the engine to cool before refueling.  
4. Never fuel the machine indoors.  
5. Never store the machine or fuel container where there  
is an open flame, spark, or pilot light such as near a  
water heater or other appliance.  
6. Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck bed  
with a plastic bed liner. Always place containers on  
the ground away from your vehicle before filling.  
7. Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or  
trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not  
possible, then refuel such equipment on a trailer with  
a portable container, rather than from a gasoline  
dispenser nozzle.  
8. Keep nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or  
container opening at all times until fueling is  
complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open device.  
9. If fuel is spilled on clothing, change clothing  
immediately.  
10. Never over-fill the fuel tank. Replace gas cap and  
tighten securely.  
14. Replace faulty silencers/mufflers.  
15. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels as  
necessary.  
16. Use only authorized replacement parts when making  
repairs.  
17. Always comply with factory specifications on all  
settings and adjustments.  
18. Only authorized service locations should be utilized  
for major service and repair requirements.  
19. Never attempt to make major repairs on this unit  
unless you have been properly trained. Improper  
service procedures can result in hazardous operation,  
equipment damage and voiding of manufacturer’s  
warranty.  
20. On multiple blade mowers, take care as rotating one  
blade can cause other blades to rotate.  
21. Do not change engine governor settings or over-  
speed the engine. Operating the engine at excessive  
speed can increase the hazard of personal injury.  
22. Disengage drive attachments, stop the engine,  
remove the key, and disconnect the spark plug wire(s)  
before: clearing attachment blockages and chutes,  
performing service work, striking an object, or if the  
unit vibrates abnormally. After striking an object,  
inspect the machine for damage and make repairs  
before restartind operating the equipment.  
. Never place hnear the moving parts, such as a  
hydro pump cooling fan, when the tractor is running.  
(Hydro pump cooling fans are typically located on top  
of the transaxle).  
11. Use extra care in handling gasoline and other fuels.  
They are flammable and vapors are explosive.  
12. If fuel is spilled, do not attempt to start the engine but  
move the machine away from the area of spillage and  
avoid creating any source of ignition until fuel vapors  
have dissipated.  
24. Units with hydraulic pumps, hoses, or motors:  
WARNING: Hydraulic fluid escaping under pressure  
may have sufficient force to penetrate skin and cause  
serious injury. If foreign fluid is injected into the skin it  
ust be surgically removed within a few hours by a  
doctor familiar with this form of injury or gangrene  
may result. Keep body and hands away from pin  
holes or nozzles that eject hydraulic fluid under high  
pressure. Use paper or cardboard, and not hands, to  
search for leaks. Make sure all hydraulic fluid  
connections are tight and all hydraulic hoses and  
lines are in good condition before applying pressure  
to the system. If leaks occur, have the unit serviced  
immediately by your authorized service center.  
25. WARNING: Stored energy device. Improper release  
of springs can result in serious personal injury.  
Springs should be removed by an authorized  
technician.  
13. Replace all fuel tank caps and fuel contaiaps  
securely.  
Service & Maintenance  
1. Never run the unit in an enclosed area where carbon  
monoxide fumes may collect.  
2. Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade attachment  
bolts, tight and keep equipment in good condition.  
3. Never tamper with safety devices. Check theoper  
operation regularly and make necessary rep
they are not functioning properly.  
4. Keep unit free of grass, leaves, or other ebrs build-  
up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage. aemove any fuel-  
soaked debris. Allow machine tol before storage.  
5. If you strike an object, stop and inpect the machine.  
Repair, if necessary, before restarting.  
6. Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine  
running.  
7. Check grass catcher components and the discharge  
guard frequently and replace with manufacturer’s  
recommended parts, when necessary.  
8. Mower blades are sharp. Wrap the blade or wear  
gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.  
9. Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and service  
as required.  
10. Maintain or replace safety and instructions labels, as  
necessary.  
11. Do not remove the fuel filter when the engine is hot  
as spilled gasoline may ignite. Do not spread fuel line  
clamps further than necessary. Ensure clamps grip  
hoses firmly over the filter after installation.  
12. Do not use gasoline containing METHANOL, gasohol  
containing more than 10% ETHANOL, gasoline  
additives, or white gas because engine/fuel system  
damage could result.  
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SAFETY & OPERATION DECALS  
All DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION and instructional  
messages on your rider and mower should be carefully  
read and obeyed. Personal bodily injury can result when  
these instructions are not followed. The information is for  
your safety and it is important! The safety decals below  
are on your rider and mower.  
This unit has been designed and manufactured to  
provide you with the safety and reliability you would  
expect from an industry leader in outdoor power  
equipment manufacturing.  
Although reading this manual and the safety instructions  
it contains will provide you with the necessary basic  
knowledge to operate this equipment safely and  
effectively, we have placed several safety labels on the  
unit to remind you of this important information while you  
are operating your unit.  
If any of these decals are lost or damaged, replace them  
at once. Contact your dealer for replacements.  
These labels are easily applied and will act as a constant  
visual reminder to you, and others who may use the  
equipment, to follow the safety instructions necessary for  
safe, effective operation.  
Decal - Amputation and  
Thrown Objects Hazard  
(33” Decks)  
Part No. 7101665  
Decal - Control Panel  
Part No. 7103082  
DANGER  
Amputation and thrown objects hazard  
Decal - Tracking  
Adjustment  
Part No. 1726638  
Keep hands and feet  
away from deck.  
Decal - Hot Surfaces  
Part No. 1734273  
(Located on RH side)  
Do not operate mower  
unless discharge chute  
Decal - Cutting  
Height Switch  
Part No. 1734276  
or entire grass catcher  
Decal - Ground  
Speed Lever  
is in its proper place.  
7101665  
Decal - Amputation and  
Thrown Objects Hazard  
(42 & 50” Decks)  
Part No. 7102576  
WARNING  
Burn hazard  
The exhaust pipe and surrounding  
surfaces are hot and can cause  
burns.  
Forward  
Right Grond  
RAISE  
MOWER  
Speed ver  
(Controls Right ve Weel)  
Avoid contact with hot surfaces.  
Part No. 1704277  
Cutting  
Height  
Neutral  
Start / Park  
DANGER  
LOWER  
Reverse  
7102576  
Decal - Cutting Hazard  
Part No. 1734672  
MOWER  
Amputation and  
734276  
1734276  
Thrown Objects Hazard  
To avoid injury from rotating blades and  
thrown debris, stay clear of deck edge  
and discharge. Do not mow without  
(Located on rear frame)  
deflector or entire grass catcher in place.  
7103082  
Decal - Operation, Upper  
Part No. 7102575  
To Turn On the Mower Blades:  
1. Sit in seat.  
2. Start the engine (see “To Start Engine”).  
3. Pull the mower blade switch UP to  
turn the mower blades ON.  
To Stop the Engine:  
1. Move ground speed levers to  
START/PARK.  
2. Move parking brake lever to  
ENGAGE position.  
3. Move engine speed control  
to SLOW.  
To Drive:  
4. Turn ignition switch to OFF.  
1. Start the engine (see “To Start Engine”).  
2. Move parking brake control to  
DISENGAGE position.  
To Turn the Mower Blades Off:  
1. Push the mower blade switch DOWN to  
turn the mower blades OFF.  
3. Move both ground speed levers in from  
PARK position.  
4. Move levers as shown to travel.  
7102575  
3
5
Sit in the seat.  
1
2
Move the ground speed levers to ST ART/PARK  
positions (move both levers out).  
Move par king brake control to ENGA GE position.  
Turn the mo wer blades OFF (push switch down).  
3
4
5
Decal - Transmission  
Release  
Part No. 1734532  
(Located on rear frame)  
Move the throttle/choke control to the  
CHOKE position.  
Turn ignition switch to ST ART to crank the engine  
.
6
7
6
After the engine star ts:  
-release the ignition switch key (it will return to RUN position)  
-move the throttle/choke control to the  
maximum engine speed  
F
AST position for  
4
Always set the engine speed to  
F
AST for mowing  
.
Forward  
Left Ground  
Speed Lever  
(Controls Right Drive Wheel)  
Start  
/
Park  
Neutral  
High Cut  
DANGER  
4
3
2
Reverse  
174xxxx  
7103185  
Decal - Ground Speed Lever  
Part No. 1734270  
Amputation Hazard  
To avoid injury from rotating  
blades, stay clear of deck edge.  
Decal - Operation, Lower  
Part No. 7103185  
1704276  
Decal - Amputation Hazard  
(42 & 50” Decks)  
Part No. 1704276  
7102578  
1
Decal - Parking Brake  
Part No. 7102578  
Low Cut  
1733458  
DANGER  
Decal - Cutting Height  
Indicator  
Part No. 1733458  
Amputation and thrown objects hazard  
Keep hands and feet  
away from deck.  
Do not operate mower  
unless discharge chute  
or entire grass catcher  
is in its proper place.  
7101665  
Decal - Amputation and  
Thrown Objects Hazard  
(33” Decks)  
Part No. 7101665  
8
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IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS  
ID Tag  
When contacting the service center for replacement  
parts, service, or information you MUST have these  
numbers.  
Record your model name/number, manufacturer’s  
identification numbers, and engine serial numbers in the  
space provided for easy access.  
The identification tag is located on the underside of the  
seat. Tilt the seat forward to access the ID tag.  
PRODUCT REFERENCE DATA  
Model Description Name/Number  
Part Number  
Unit Serial Number  
ate Purchased  
ENGINE REFERENCE DATA  
Engine Make  
Engine Model  
e Type/Spec  
Engine Code/Serial Number  
9
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OPERATION  
Left  
Right  
Ground Speed  
Control Lever  
Ground Speed  
Control Lever  
Ground Speed Levers - Ground Speed Levers -  
DRIVE Positons  
START/PARK Positons  
Mower  
Cutting  
Height  
Switch  
Parking  
Brake  
Lever  
Choke  
Engine  
Speed  
(Fast)  
Parking Brake Lever -  
ENGAGE Positon  
Parking Brake Lever -  
DISENGAGE Positon  
Fuel Tank  
Cap  
Engine  
Speed  
(Slow)  
RUN  
CONTROL FUNCTIONS  
START  
OFF  
The information below briefly describes the  
function of individual controls. Starting,  
stopping, driving, and mowing require the  
combined use of several controls applied in  
specific sequences. To learn what combination  
and sequence of controls to use for various  
tasks please read the entire section.  
Transmission  
Mower Blade  
Release
Switch  
Ignition  
Switch  
Figure 1. Controls  
Ground Speed Levers  
Parking Brake Lever  
These levers control the ground speed of the rider. The  
left lever controls the left rear drive wheel and the right  
lever controls the right rear drive wheel.  
Move the parking brake lever (bottom inset, Figure 1) up  
and across and into the locking notch to engage and lock  
the parking brake. Move the parking brake lever across  
and down to disengage the parking brake. The engine  
will not start unless the parking brake is engaged.  
Pushing the levers out to the side, away from the  
operator’s lap (top inset, Figure 1), is the proper position  
for starting the rider. Pulling the levers in across the  
operator’s lap puts the levers in DRIVE positions.  
Note: The parking brake must be disengaged before  
operating the ground speed levers.  
From DRIVE position, moving a lever forward increases  
the FORWARD speed of the associated wheel. Pulling  
back on a lever increases the REVERSE speed. The  
further a lever is pushed, the faster the drive wheel will  
turn.  
Engine Speed Control/Choke  
The engine speed control/choke controls the engine  
speed and choke. Always set the engine speed to FAST  
for driving and mowing. Move the engine speed control  
back to SLOW to decrease engine speed. Move the  
engine speed control/choke control to the CHOKE  
position for starting a cold engine. A warm engine may  
not require choking.  
See DRIVING PRACTICE for steering instructions.  
10  
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Mower Cutting Height Switch  
Mower Blade Switch  
To increase the mower cutting height (raise the mower  
deck), press the top of the yellow cutting height switch.  
To decrease mower cutting height (lower the mower  
deck), press the bottom of the switch. Mower cutting  
height range is approximately 3-3/4” to 1-1/2”. The  
cutting height gauge indicates the position of the mower  
deck. The cutting height gauge is located on the front of  
the rider, just behind the driver’s left leg.  
The yellow mower blade switch turns the mower blades  
on and off. To turn the mower blades ON, pull the switch  
up. To turn the mower blades OFF, push the switch  
down. Always set the engine speed control to FAST  
before turning the mower blades ON, and while mowing.  
Transmission Release Levers  
The transmission release levers deactivate the  
transmissions so that the unit can be pushed by hand.  
See PUSHING THE UNIT BY HAND for operational  
information.  
Ignition Switch  
The ignition switch starts and stops the engine; it has  
three positions:  
OFF  
Stops the engine and shuts off the  
electrical system.  
Fuel Tank  
To remove the fuel tank cap, turn it counterclockwise.  
RUN Allows the engine to run and powers the