A riding lawn mower is a big investment. But before you take it out for the first cut, get to know your machine through this helpful video, which also outlines some helpful tips on how to start using a Troy-Bilt riding lawn mower.
Riding Mower Setup and Operation Tips
- You’ll first want to uncrate your riding mower properly, and this video can help walk you through that process. Once finished, start by connecting the battery cables, remove the red (positive) and black (negative) terminal covers and attach the matching-colored cables to the respective terminals. Once both cables are attached, place the red cap on the positive terminal. Do not allow your wrench to come in contact with any metal.
- Check your engine’s oil level with the dip stick before every use. Too little or too much oil can damage your engine. Then fill the fuel tank.
- Before each mow, check your air filter for dirty, loose or damaged parts. It is highly recommended that the air filter, spark plugs, oil and oil filter are replaced every year when you prepare your mower for offseason storage. One last tip to remember, especially for extended periods between usage, is to add a fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank to prevent fuel from spoiling.
- It’s important to integrate routine maintenance into your lawn-care routine. You can follow this schedule for more tips on regular upkeep for Troy-Bilt riding mowers.
- To start the mower, be sure you are seated back in the seat. If you are too far forward, the mower may not start. Engage the parking brake, check to be sure the power take-off (PTO) lever is in the off position and activate the choke. Then turn the key to the start position.
- Once the mower has started, release the key and allow it to return to the on position. Now move the throttle to the rabbit position. To begin driving your mower, press the brake pedal to release the parking brake, move the shift lever to forward then press the drive pedal to increase your speed. To engage the blades, first be sure that your throttle/choke lever is in the rabbit position. Then push the PTO/blade engage lever forward into the on position.
- Keep in mind that Troy-Bilt riding mowers are built to handle a variety of attachments and accessories, some of which extend your mower’s use by allowing it to perform other yard chores. For example, adding a bagger makes it possible to bag your lawn clippings.
- Bagging is a highly recommended method of helping maintain a healthy lawn by reducing thatch build-up, increasing oxygen and nitrogen absorption and encouraging grass to grow in the bare areas of your yard. You can find a full list of attachments and accessories in your operator’s manual or online.
Finding the right lawn mower depends on your lawn-care needs, and our riding mower product selector can help you find your ideal mower. You can count on Troy-Bilt to have a variety of models for lawns of all shapes and sizes.
