EMAK Riding Mower F72 Operators Manual

							EN 17 HOW TO USE THE MACHINE
5. HOW TO USE THE MACHINE
REMEMBER THAT THE USER IS ALWAYS RESPONSIBLE
FOR DAMAGE AND INJURIES TO OTHERS. Before using the machine,
read the safety requirements shown in chapter 2, paying particular atten-
tion to driving and cutting on slopes. It is the users responsibility to
assess the potential risk of the area where work is to be carried out, as
well as to take all the necessary steps to ensure safe working, particularly
on slopes or rough, slippery and unstable ground. This machine must not
be used on slopes greater than 10° (17%).
If the machine is likely to be used mostly on sloping
ground (max. 10°), fit counterweights (supplied on request) to the front
part of the frame to improve stability at the front and reduce the chance
of tipping up.
All references regarding the positions of controls are shown
in chapter 4.
5.1 DIRECTIONS BEFORE STARTING
S
EAT ADJUSTMENT
The seat is held by four screws (1) which
have to be loosened for changing the
position of the seat which is done by slid-
ing it along the slots in the base.
When you have got in a comfortable
position, fully tighten the four screws.
R
EFUELLING
The oil and fuel to use are indicated in the engine booklet.
To reach the oil level dipstick, lift up the seat and open the hatchway beneath.NOTE
IMPORTANT

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							With engine stopped, check its oil level which must be between the MIN and
MAX marks on the dipstick.
Refuel using a funnel, but do not completely fill the tank.
The tanks capacity is about 4 litres.  
Refuelling should be carried out in an open or well venti-
lated area with engine stopped. Always remember that petrol fumes are
inflammable. DO NOT TAKE FLAMES TO THE TANK MOUTH TO VERIFY
ITS CONTENTS AND DO NOT SMOKE WHEN REFUELLING.
Do not drip petrol onto the plastic parts to avoid ruining
them. In the event of accidental leaks, rinse immediately with water.
T
YRE PRESSURE
Having the correct tyre pressure is essen-
tial for keeping the cutting deck horizon-
tal and thus achieving uniform mowing.
Unscrew the valve protection cap and
connect the valves to a compressed air
line with a gauge.
Pressures are:
FRONT 1.5 bar
REAR 1.0 bar
IMPORTANT

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EN 18HOW TO USE THE MACHINE
MAX
MIN 
						

							EN 19 HOW TO USE THE MACHINE
FITTING THE PROTECTION AT THE EXIT(GRASS-
CATCHER OR STONE-GUARD)
Never use the machine
without having fitted the exit protection!
Lift the removable cover (1) and hook on the
grass-catcher by inserting the two pivots (2)
into the slots on the two supports (3).
If you want to work without using the grass-
catcher, a stone-guard kit (4) is available on
request which is fitted as shown in the figure.
There is a micro-switch
which stops the engine or prevents starting
when the blade is engaged if either the grass-
catcher or stone-guard is not in position. IT IS
VERY DANGEROUS TO TAMPER WITH OR LIMIT
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS DEVICE!
C
HECKING THE SAFETY SYSTEMS
Every time before using, check that the safety systems
are working properly. To do so, simulate the various situations of usage shown in
the table on page 26, making sure that the correct result is achieved for each sit-
uation.
C
HECKING THE BRAKING SYSTEM
Make sure that the machine’s braking capacity is adequate for the conditions of
usage. Avoid starting the machine if you have doubts on the brake efficiency. If
necessary, adjust the brake and if you still have doubts on its efficiency, consult
a Licensed Service Centre.
B
LADE CHECK
Check that the blade is sharpened properly and firmly fixed to the hub. A badly
sharpened blade pulls at the grass and causes the lawn to turn yellow.

!WARNING!

!WARNING!
1
2
3
3
4 
						

							5.2 STARTING AND MOVING
S
TARTING
All starting operations have to be effected in an open or
well ventilated area! ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT EXHAUST GASES ARE
TOXIC!
Before starting the engine:
–open the fuel stopcock (1) (where supplied),
which you can reach from the left-hand rear
wheel arch;
–put the gear lever (  for mechanical drive
models)or the speed change lever pedal(
for hydrostatic drive models)into neutral
(«N»);
–disengage the blade;
–on slopes, engage the parking brake:
Afterwards:
–put the accelerator lever to «CHOKE», as shown on the label, if the engine is
cold. If the engine is already warm, put the lever between «SLOW» and
«FAST»;
–put in the key and turn to «ON» to make electrical contact, then turn to
«START» to start the engine. Release once the engine has started.
When the engine is running, put the accelerator into the «SLOW» position.
Should you have difficulties in starting do not continue to
use the starter motor for a long time as this can run down the battery or flood
the engine. Turn the key to the «OFF» position, wait for a few seconds and then
repeat the operation. If the malfunction continues, refer to chapter «7» of this
manual and to the engine booklet.
Always bear in mind that the safety devices prevent the
engine from starting if safety requirements have not been met (see page 26).
IMPORTANT
NOTE
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EN 20HOW TO USE THE MACHINE
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							EN 21 HOW TO USE THE MACHINE
The pilot lamp will begin flashing if the key is held in the «START» position
when the safety devices have been activated.
M
OVING WITHOUT MOWING
The machine has not been approved for use on public
roads. It has to be used (as indicated by the highway code) in private
areas closed to traffic.
When moving the machine, the blade must be disengaged
and the cutting deck put at its highest position (position «7»).
For mechanical drive models:
Put the accelerator control between the «SLOW» and «FAST» positions, and
the gear change lever in the 1st speed position.
Keep the pedal pressed down and disengage the parking brake.  Slowly
release the pedal which will turn from «brake» to «clutch», thus operating the
rear wheels.
The pedal has to be released gradually as a sudden engagement may cause
tipping up and loss of control of the vehicle.
Gradually reach the desired operating speed using the accelerator and gear
lever. To change the gear speed the clutch must be used pushing the pedal
down half way.
For hydrostatic drive models:
Put the accelerator control between the «SLOW» and «FAST» positions.  Press
the brake pedal to disengage the parking brake and release the pedal.
Move the speed change lever in the «F» direction and go to the required
speed by using the lever and the accelerator.
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NOTE

!WARNING! 
						

							The lever must be moved gradually as a sudden engagement of drive to the
wheels may cause tipping and loss of control of the machine.
B
RAKING
For mechanical drive models:
To brake, first reduce the speed on the accelerator to avoid overloading the
brake assembly and then push the pedal down fully.
For hydrostatic drive models:
To brake, press the brake pedal which will simultaneously make the speed
change lever return to the «N» position.
R
EVERSE
For mechanical drive models:
The machine MUST be stopped before reverse can be engaged. Push down
the pedal until the machine stops and then insert reverse by moving the lever
sideways and putting it into position «R». Gradually release the pedal to
engage the clutch and then begin moving in reverse.
For hydrostatic drive models:
The machine MUST be stopped before reverse can be engaged. When the
machine is stopped, start the reverse movement by putting the speed change
lever in the «R» direction.
5.3 GRASS CUTTING
E
NGAGING THE BLADE AND FORWARD MOVEMENT
When you have reached the area to be mowed,
–put the accelerator into the «FAST» position;
–engage the blade by putting the lever into position «B»;
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EN 22HOW TO USE THE MACHINE 
						

							–to begin moving, operate the speed regulation controls taking care to release
the pedal very gradually and with particular caution as already described.
Engage the blade with the cutting deck in the highest position, and then gradual-
ly lower to the height required. To achieve good collection and even cutting of
the grass, choose a forward speed to suit the quantity of grass to be cut (height
and density) and the lawns humidity, in line with the following indications (for
mechanical drive models): 
–High and dense grass - wet lawn 1st speed
–Average condition grass 2nd - 3rd speed
–Low grass - dry lawn 4th speed
The fifth gear is solely for moving from one area to another
on horizontal surfaces.
For hydrostatic drive models  the speed has to be adapted to the condition of
the grass in a gradual and progressive way by moving the speed change lever.
The speed should always be reduced if you note a reduction in engine speed,
since a forward speed that is too fast will not cut the grass well.
Disengage the blade and put the cutting deck in the highest position whenever
you need to get past an obstacle.
C
UTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
The height is adjusted by moving the lever with 7 height positions.
H
OW TO OBTAIN A GOOD CUT
1.The lawns appearance will be best if
you cut in alternate directions, always at
the same height.
2.If the collector system blocks up you
should reduce the forward speed as it
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NOTE
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EN 23 HOW TO USE THE MACHINE
12 
						

							could be too high for the lawn conditions.
If this does not solve the problem, it is probably due to unsharpened cutting
edges or the wings on the blade having become deformed (see chapter 7).
3.If the grass is very tall it should be mowed twice - once at the maximum cut-
ting height, and perhaps reducing the cutting width, followed by a second cut at
the required height.
4.Be very careful when mowing near bushes or kerbs which could alter the hor-
izontal position of the cutting deck or damage its edge or the blade.
S
LOPES
Complying with the slope limits already
mentioned, lawns on a slope have to
mowed moving up and down and never
across them, taking great care when
changing direction that the first wheels
do not hit obstacles (such as stones,
branches, roots, etc.), that may cause the
machine to slide sideways, roll over or
otherwise cause loss of control.
REDUCE SPEED BEFORE ANY CHANGE OF DIRECTION
ON SLOPES and always engage the parking brake before leaving the
machine stopped and unattended.
Take care when beginning forward movement on slop-
ing ground to prevent the risk of tipping up.
For mechanical drive models:
Never ride the machine on slopes in neutral gear or
with the clutch out!  Always engage a low gear before leaving the
machine stopped and unattended.

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EN 24HOW TO USE THE MACHINE
max 10°  (17%)
RIGHT!
WRONG! 
						

							For  hydrostatic drive models:
Move on slopes with the speed change lever in the «N» position, (to take
advantage of the hydrostatic units braking effect) and then further reduce
the speed using the brake, if necessary.
Never use reverse for reducing speed going downhill.
Control of the machine could be lost, particularly on slippery surfaces.
E
MPTYING THE GRASS-CATCHER
This operation can only be
done with the blade disengaged, otherwise the
engine stops.
When the grass-catcher is full an audible warning
is given. STOP FORWARD MOVEMENT, in order
not to block the collector channel, and disengage
the blade which will stop the audible signal.
Empty the grass-catcher by lifting it using the han-
dle.
At times the audible warning
may be heard on engaging the blade even when the grass-catcher has been
emptied. This is due to grass cuttings left on the sensor of the micro-switch. To
stop the signal, either remove the remaining grass or disengage the blade and
then immediately engage it again.
E
MPTYING THE COLLECTOR CHANNEL
Cutting very tall or wet grass, particularly at too high a speed, can cause the col-
lector channel to become blocked. Should this happen, it will be necessary to:
–stop forward movement, disengage the blade and stop the engine;
–take off the grass-catcher or stone-guard;
–remove the accumulated cuttings going in through the exit of the collector
channel.
This must only be done when the engine is stopped.

!WARNING!
NOTE
NOTE

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							SUMMARY OF THE MAIN CONDITIONS WHEREBY THE SAFETY DEVICES PERMIT OR STOP WORK
The safety devices work in two ways:
–by preventing the engine from starting if all the safety requirements have not
been met;
–stopping the engine if even just one of the safety requirements is lacking. 
a)To start the engine it will be necessary that:
–the transmission is in “neutral”;
–the blade is not engaged;
–the operator is seated or the parking brake is engaged.
b)The engine stops when:
–the operator leaves his seat when the blades are engaged;
–the operator leaves his seat when the transmission is not in “neutral”;
–the operator leaves his seat with the transmission in “neutral” but without
engaging the parking brake;
–the grass-catcher is lifted or the stone-guard is removed when the blades are
engaged;
–the parking brake is engaged without disengaging the blade.
The table below shows various operating conditions, highlightingwhy the safety
device shuts down the engine.
OPERATORGRASS-CATCHERBLADETRANSMISSIONBRAKEENGINE
A) WHEN STARTING(Key in «START» position)
Sitting Uninfluential Disengaged1....5 - F/R
Engaged Does NOT start
Sitting UninfluentialEngaged
«N» Engaged Does NOT start
Absent
Uninfluential Disengaged «N»DisengagedDoes NOT start
B) WHEN CUTTING(Key in «ON» position)
Absent
YESEngagedUninfluential Engaged Stops
Absent
Uninfluential Disengaged1....5 - F/RDisengaged Stops
Absent
YES Disengaged «N»DisengagedStops
SittingNO
EngagedUninfluential Disengaged Stops
Sitting YESEngagedUninfluentialEngagedStops
CARD PROTECTION DEVICE
The electronic card has a self-resetting protector which breaks the circuit if there
is a fault in the electrical system. It results in the stopping of the engine and is
signalled by the pilot lamp turning off.
EN 26HOW TO USE THE MACHINE