I have an SP470.
When I say "left" or "right" I mean your left or right when standing behind the lawnmower holding the handle bar.
Make sure it has oil. DO NOT OVERFILL OR IT WILL SMOKE. There is a dipstick. The oil filler is on the top left.
Fill the fuel tanks with standard unleaded petrol. The filler cap is on the right side. Near the filler cap is a red bulb. This is the primer. You will need to use it later.
Some models have a throttle control (a lever with a hare and a toitoise on it). This will be on the front of the engine near the spark plug or on the side of the handlebars. If you have this put it in the hare position (fast). BUT MOST SP 470s DO NOT HAVE THIS, so don't bother.
Bove the fuel tank (right side) You will see a red fuel primer bulb. When you press it, it will squirt fuel into the intake. When staring from cold, press this 4 or 5 times. You will hear the petrol squirt in. When the engine is hot there is no need. If the engine is warm you will only need to press 2 or 3 times.
There are two controls on the handlebars. One (on right) is black and one (on left) is red. The black lever is the drive clutch. When the engine is running it will when pulled self-propel the mower (what thew SP stands for) so you don't have to push it. Ignore this when starting. You only use it when the engine is running.
On the left handlebar is a red lever. This is an engine safety brake. The engine will only start and run when this is held in. As soon as you release it the engine will stop. So you have to hold this lever when starting the engine.
So sequence is:
1) Prime the engine by pushing the red fuel primer 4 or 5 times/
2) Grab and hold in the red safety brake lever.
3) Grasp the starting cord grip and pull firmly and evenly.
4) Repeat 3 until the engine starts.
5) If after 10 attempts you have no luck, repeat from step 1, but otherwise don't re-prime.
The engine will probably not start for the first three or four pulls of the starter cord if it has been stored. This will be condensation that has settled inside the engine.
Once you get it going and it ahs run for a bit there won't be a problem. Mine is always a bit reluctant after it has been stored for the winter.
If you find that the pull starter simply won't pull (won't pull rather than won't make the engine start), then either you are not holding in the red safety brake lever or it has come undoine.
If you find that the exhaust smokes after a few minutes running, you have overfilled with oil.
If you have to put the mower on its side for any reason, the correct way is to tip it backwards (handle to the ground, spark plug up)
Bob, April 2009
