DeWalt 55RI6HN Instruction Manual page 9

CONTROLS & OPERATION, cont'd
c. Place the neutral latch levers in the neutral lock position.
d. Make sure the spark plug wire is connected.
e. Pull the choke knob all the way up to engage the choke.
nOTE: If the engine is warmed up, it may not be necessary to engage the choke.
f. Move the throttle lever midway between the FAST and SLOW position.
nOTE: When operating the mower be certain that the throttle lever is always in the
FAST position. Operating with the throttle at less than full throttle may lead to shortened
battery life.
g. Put the power key in the key switch and turn the key to the START position. After
the engine starts, release the key and the key will return to the ON position.
CAUTION: Do not hold the key in the START position for longer than ten
seconds at a time. Doing so may cause damage to your engine's electric starter.
2. To start engine on recoil starter model, proceed with Step a.
a. Put the power key in the key switch and turn the key to the ON position.
b. Stand on the left side (as viewed from the operator's position behind the
handlebars) of the mower. Be sure your feet are safely away from the underside of
the mower deck and all mower controls are released.
c. Grasp the starter rope handle and pull slowly until the rope pulls slightly harder.
Let rope rewind slowly. Then pull the rope with a rapid, full arm stroke. Let the rope
return slowly. If the engine fails to start after three pulls, repeat the instructions (try
moving the throttle lever into the FAST position).
d. When the engine starts, operate the mower in the FAST throttle setting and
disengage the choke.
stopping the Engine
WARNING: If you strike a foreign object, stop the engine and remove the
power key. Thoroughly inspect the machine for any damage. Repair the
damage before restarting and operating.
1. Place both steering levers in the neutral (N) position and lock into the neutral position
with the neutral latch levers to stop the mower.
2. Place the speed control lever into the neutral (N) position.
3. If the PTO is engaged, push down on the PTO knob to disengage the PTO and stop
the blades.
4. Move the throttle control lever into the SLOW position.
5. Let the mower run at idle for one minute.
6. Turn the power key counter-clockwise to the OFF position.
7. Remove the power key from the key switch to prevent unintended starting.
Engaging the Drive
WARNING: Avoid
sudden starts,
excessive speed, and
sudden stops.
1. Start the engine as
instructed earlier in this
section and move the
throttle control into the
FAST position.
2. Refer to Figure 4 for the
following instructions.
3. To travel FORWARD:
a. Move the speed control
lever forward to about
one third of full speed
(position 2) until you are
fully familiar with the operation of the mower.
b. Hold both steering levers and release the neutral latch levers from the neutral
lock position.
c. Slowly release the steering levers and the mower will move ahead in a straight
line. To turn the mower, squeeze the steering lever on the side to which you want
to turn.
d. To stop the mower's forward motion, squeeze both steering levers until the mower
stops and place the neutral latch levers into the neutral lock position.
iMPORTAnT! Squeezing the left steering control only will create a counter-clockwise
pivot or U-turn and applying the right steering control only will create a clockwise pivot
or U-turn. Applying both levers will stop the machine without turning.
R R
N N
STOP STOP
F F
Figure 4
4. To travel in REVERSE:
DANGER: Look behind the mower before and during reverse operation. Stop
the mower blades before operating in reverse.
a. Disengage the blades.
b. Stop the mower's forward motion by squeezing both steering levers to the
neutral position.
WARNING: To avoid possible bodily injury and to prevent damage to the
transmission, the mower must be completely stopped before attempting to
shift from forward to reverse or reverse to forward.
c. Check that the area behind is clear.
d. Slowly squeeze the steering levers and the mower will begin to move backward.
WARNING: Do not leave the operator's position without first disengaging
the PTO. If leaving the mower unattended, also turn the engine off and
remove the ignition key.
Engaging the Blades
WARNING: To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, keep
bystanders, helpers, children, and pets at least 75 feet (23 meters) from the
machine while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
1. Move the throttle control lever to the FAST position.
2. Engage the operator presence levers.
3. Pull up on the PTO knob until it engages and the blades start rotating.
Operating on slopes
Refer to the slope gauge on the back cover to help determine slopes where you may
safely operate the mower.
WARNING: Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15° (25%) (a rise
of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). The mower could overturn and
cause serious injury.
• Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down.
• Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.
• Watch for holes, ruts, rocks, hidden objects or bumps which can cause you to slip or
trip. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
• Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal injury.
• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments, you could lose your footing
or balance.
• Do not mow slopes greater than 15° (25%) as shown on the slope gauge.
• Do not mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could cause slipping.
setting Deck height
To adjust the deck height, adjust
the clevis pin location in the deck
adjustment pins and the deck lift
adjustment collars.
1. Securely grasp one of the
three handles on the deck (see
Figure 5 for location) and lift
slightly to remove the cotter
pin (a). See Figure 6.
2. Raise or lower the deck on the
deck adjustment pin (b) and in
combination with the deck lift
adjustment collar (c), find the
desired height. See Figure 6.
3. Insert the cotter pin
(a) back into the deck
adjustment pin (b) at
the desired position. See
Figure 6.
4. Repeat these steps for
the other three deck
adjustment pins making
sure the height is the
same for all four deck
adjustment pins.
English
Figure 5
(b)
(c)
(a)
Figure 6
7