Contents
Introduction .................................................................. 1
General Operation .................................................. 2
Slope Operation ...................................................... 3
Children................................................................. 3
Service ................................................................... 3
Safety and Instructional Decals ................................. 4
Setup ............................................................................ 5
1 Installing the Blade-control Bar............................... 5
2 Installing the Handle ............................................. 5
3 Installing the Recoil-starter Rope in the Rope
Guide................................................................. 5
4 Filling the Engine with Oil...................................... 6
Product Overview .......................................................... 7
Operation ..................................................................... 7
Filling the Fuel Tank ................................................ 7
Checking the Engine Oil Level .................................. 8
Adjusting the Cutting Height .................................... 8
Starting the Engine .................................................. 9
Using the Self-propel Drive....................................... 9
Stopping the Engine ...............................................10
Engaging the Blade.................................................10
Disengaging the Blade.............................................10
Checking the Blade-brake Clutch Operation ...............10
Recycling the Clippings ...........................................11
Bagging the Clippings .............................................11
Side-discharging the Clippings..................................12
Operating Tips ......................................................13
Maintenance .................................................................14
Recommended Maintenance Schedule(s) ......................14
Preparing for Maintenance.......................................14
Replacing the Air Cleaner ........................................15
Changing the Engine Oil .........................................15
Adjusting the Self-propel Drive Cable........................16
Replacing the Blade ................................................16
Cleaning the Blade-brake-clutch Shield ......................17
Cleaning the Machine..............................................17
Storage ........................................................................18
Preparing the Machine for Storage ............................18
Folding the Handle .................................................18
Removing the Machine from Storage.........................19
Safety
This lawn mower meets or exceeds the CPSC blade safety
requirements for walk-behind rotary lawn mowers and the
B71.1 specifications of the American National Standards
Institute in effect at the time of production.
Read and understand the contents of this manual before
you start the engine.
The safety alert symbol (Figure 2) is used to alert you to
potential personal injury hazards. Obey all safety messages
that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.
Improperly using or maintaining this mower could result in
injury or death. To reduce this potential, comply with the
following safety instructions.
The following instructions have been adapted from the
ANSI/OPEI standard B71.1-2003.
This cutting machine can amputate hands and feet and
throw objects. Failure to observe the following safety
instructions could result in serious injury or death.
General Operation
•
Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the
machine and in the manual(s) before starting.
•
Do not put hands or feet near or under the machine.
Keep clear of the discharge opening at all times.
•
Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar with the
instructions, to operate this machine.
•
Clear the area of objects such as rocks, wire, toys, etc.,
which could be thrown by the blade. Stay behind the
handle when the engine is running.
•
Be sure the area is clear of bystanders before operating.
Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
•
Do not operate machine barefooted or while wearing
sandals. Always wear substantial footwear.
•
Do not pull machine backward unless absolutely
necessary. Always look down and behind before and
while moving backward.
•
Never direct discharged material toward anyone. Avoid
discharging material against a wall or obstruction.
Material may ricochet back toward the operator. Stop the
blade when crossing gravel surfaces.
•
Do not operate machine without the entire grass catcher,
discharge guard, rear guard, or other safety protective
devices in place and working.
•
Never leave a running machine unattended.
•
Stop the engine and wait until the blade comes to a
complete stop before cleaning the machine, removing
grass catcher, or unclogging the discharge guard.
•
Operate machine only in daylight or good artificial light.
•
Do not operate machine while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
•
Never operate mower in wet grass. Always be sure of
your footing; walk; never run.
•
Disengage the drive system, if so equipped, before
starting the engine.
•
If the machine should start to vibrate abnormally, stop
the engine and check for the cause immediately. Vibration
is generally a warning of trouble.
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