13OPERATING INSTRUCTIONSSTARTING AND OPERATION:1. Making sure the blades are disengaged, drive levers locked in the thumb latches and the fuel valveon.2. Choke if needed. Adjust throttle to full, turn key to start position, until engine starts.3. Once the engine is running adjust the throttle.4. Holding down at least one of the operator presence levers, engage blades and set RPM tomaximum, but not choked. NOTE: Be sure all persons are clear of area before engaging theblades. To prolong spindle bearing and belt life engage and disengage blades at approxi-mately 1\2 throttle.5. Set the ground speed lever to the desired position.6. Release the drive levers from thumb latches at the same time.NOTE: Thumb latches are spring loaded to unlock when the drive levers are squeezed.3. Blade engagement switch: Located in the center of the console. To engage the blades pullup on the switch. Push down on the switch to disengage the blades.4. Throttle control: Located in the middle of the console. Use the throttle to control the engine RPM.5. Choke control: Use when starting cold engine do not run choke when engine is warm.6. Tracking knob: Located on the bottom right front corner of the console. If the mower will not travelin a straight line on a smooth surface, turn the tracking knob the proper direction until it straight-ens out.7. Key switch: Located on the console. The key switch must be turned on, blades disengaged,and ground speed lever in neutral before starting.8. Fuel shut off valve: Located on the right side of the engine on the frame. (Not shown.)9. Pump release valves: Located at the back left corner of the left pump and front right corner ofright pump. Used to release the system so unit may be moved by hand when not running.(Not shown.)NOTE: Only rotate about a 1/4 to 1/2 of a turn to release system.10. Operator presence levers: Located on the handle. One or both levers must be pressed againstthe handle for the mower to remain running, when the blades are engaged or the groundspeed lever is not in the neutral position.11. Thumb Latches: Located on the handle, allows the the drive levers to be held in the stop position.12. Hour Meter: Located on the console, shows the number of hours unit has been run.