Starting the Engine

CAUTION: Avoid injury! Engine exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide and can cause serious illness or death.

  • Move the machine to an outside area before running the engine.
  • Do not run an engine in an enclosed area without adequate ventilation.
  • To direct the exhaust fumes out of the area, connect a pipe extension to the engine exhaust pipe.
  • To clear out the exhaust fumes, allow fresh outside air into the work area.

CAUTION: Avoid injury! Do not start engine by shorting across starter terminals.

Do not use starting fluid to aid engine starting.

Never start engine while standing on ground. Start engine only from operators seat.

  1. Sit on operator seat and fasten seat belt. Do not start engine.

  2. To check free movement of pedal assembly, push down on accelerator pedal. Release pedal.

  3. Move transmission shift lever to N (Neutral) position.

  4. Lock the park brake.

    NOTE: The engine can start with the transaxle in gear. The machine has a brake pedal safety start switch. The brake pedal must be pushed down to start the engine.

  5. Push and hold the brake pedal down to engage the safety start switch.

  6. Turn ignition key switch to START position.

  7. When engine starts, release ignition key switch to the RUN position.

    • If engine does not start within five seconds, turn ignition key switch to STOP position and wait ten seconds before trying to start again.
    • In cold conditions, attempt starting engine three times only, then wait 5 minutes before trying again. Waiting allows time for the starter to cool and prevent damage to starter.

  8. IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Do not operate the engine at full throttle or under load until engine has warmed up, or engine damage could occur.

    To warm up the engine manually with the accelerator pedal, first shift to N (Neutral), unlock the park brake, and push down on the brake pedal. Engine stops if the accelerator pedal is pushed down when in N (Neutral) with the park brake locked.

    NOTE: When the vehicle is stopped, revving the engine above 3500 rpm for greater than 25 seconds can cause the System Diagnostic Light to illuminate.

  9. To allow the machine to move, unlock the park brake.

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