turning engine by hand?

I have a john deere sabre lawn tractor,
I informed the dealer that the mower had been left on for awhile and the battery died.
I was told by the dealer to start the engine by hand, (rocking). I am not mechanically inclined and was hoping someone could give me the proper procedure for doing this in writing so i could follow it step by step.
thanks
chris o, September 2006


done
I'd jump start it with jumper cables from a car battery before I'd start it by hand.

Rick, September 2006
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