13ECHydroMidsizeMACHINE OPERATIONBEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE:• Disengage cutterdeck drive.• Traction levers are positively locked in neutral.• Parking brake is on and speed selector is in neutral.1. Check the engine oil level and add if necessary. Open the fuel valve under the fuel tank. Set the tractionlevers in the neutral position and the PTO Switch to the off position. Shift the speed selector to neutral.2. For cold starts, set the throttle lever to the full forward position to choke engine.3. Turn the key to operate electric starter to start the engine.4. As soon as the engine starts, gradually back the choke off from the choke position until the engine willrun with no choke at all.OPERATING THE MACHINE• Practice at slow engine and speed selector speeds with the blade control disengaged until completelyfamiliar with the controls.• For normal cutting the throttle should be set at the full open position. By using the speed control leverto speed up or slow down the machine during use, maximum control and cutting efficiency can bemaintained.• Using the machine at less than full throttle in heavy conditions will cause the engine to labor and result inexcessive wear.• For maneuvering where the speed control lever does not give the required speed, partial throttle may beused.• Steering is controlled by the operation of the traction control levers. To steer the machine to the left,reduce the drive to the L.H. wheel by pulling up the L.H. traction control lever. To steer to the right, reducethe drive to the R.H. wheel by pulling up the R.H. traction control lever. Pulling a traction control lever uppast neutral will cause that wheel to back up.• To change speeds, depress the operator present controls then move speed control levers to desiredspeed.FUEL TANKPETROL (GASOLINE) IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE! Fill fuel tank with good quality, clean, regular unleaded petrol (gasoline). Do not use hi-test fuel. Do not smoke. Do not spill fuel. Fill outdoors. Do not overfill. Fill to 25 mm below bottom of filler neck to allow room for expansion. USE A FUNNEL TO FILL FUEL TANK TO AVOID SPILLING.