Poulan 172782 Lawn Mower User Manual
Contents
1. BACK or REAR Operating Position What is the right and left side of the lawn mower When right hand RH or left hand LH is mentioned in this manual it means when you are in the operating position standing behind the handle What kind of engine is on my lawn mower When learning how to operate your new lawn mower you will need to know what kind of engine powers the mower A decal on the engine will indicate the manu facturer and type or brand name of the engine BRIGGS amp STRATTON ENGINES ye oON Al CLASSIC Sprint QUANTUM TECUMSEH HONDA ENGINES ENGINES TECUMSEH ASSEMBLY ACAUTION Do not operate this lawn mower without the discharge guard or an entire approved grass catcher in place These guards are for your protection and are required by the American National Standards Institute and Consumer Prod ucts Safety Commission ACAUTION Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with spark plug HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN MOWER UNFOLD HANDLE IMPORTANT Unfold handle carefully so as not to pinch or damage control cables 2 POSITION ADJUSTABLE HANDLES e Raise handles until lower handle section locks into place in operating position Operator presence control bar Upper handle Mowing position Lower handle 3 POSITION EURO EZ HANDLES e Raise lower handle section to operating position and al2. gt x hax AAAA DODII Xxx XXX XXX XM NX XX A Ny MAY DX bX XXX XXX OPERATOR S MANUAL DELUXE PUSH ROTARY LAWN MOWER e Assembly e Operation e Maintenance e Service and Adjustments e Storage e Troubleshooting 172782 Rev 3 05 13 03 BY Printed in U S A TABLE OF CONTENTS Safety SS usisikie anien 2 3 Service and Adjustments 18 20 Assembly reat caree ea ate eee BY Storage os sot aseetscee cote crete ieee 20 21 2 9 2 Ge g ae eee ere nee renee ra 9 15 Troubleshooting s ccresce oot dein 22 23 Maintenance ccs ccsi cis coat ccuctccndueceeeaens 16 18 SAFETY RULES IMPORTANT This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throw ing objects Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death ALook for this symbol to point out e Clear the area of objects such as rocks important safety precautions It means toys wire bones sticks etc which could CAUTION BECOME ALERT be picked up and thrown by the blade YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED e Be sure the area is clear of other people A WARNING In order to prevent acci before mowing Stop machine if anyone dental starting when setting up enters the area transporting adjusting or making repairs Do not operate the mower when bare always disconnect spark plug wire and foot or wearing open sandals Always place wire where it cannot contact plug wear substantial foot wear AWARNING Engine exhaust s
3. TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT in the Operation section of this manual TO ADJUST HANDLE 2 POSITION HANDLES The handle can be mounted in a high or low position The mounting holes in the bottom of lower handle are off center for raising or lowering the handle e Remove upper handle and all parts at tached to lower handle e Remove hairpin cotters from lower handle bracket mounting pin e Squeeze lower handle in to remove it from mounting pins e Turn lower handle over to raise or lower handle Squeeze lower handle in and position holes onto mounting pins on handle bracket Reassemble hairpin cotters onto mount ing pins Reassemble upper handle and all parts removed from lower handle 18 Off center HIGH POSITION LOW POSITION TURN LOWER HANDLE OVER TO ADJUST HEIGHT 3 POSITION EURO OR EZ The handle on your lawn mower has three 3 height positions adjust to height that suits you e Remove knob and carriage bolt on one side of the lower handle e While holding handle assembly remove knob and carriage bolt from opposite side align hole in handle with desired hole in handle bracket and reassemble bolt and knob and tighten securely e Align opposite side of handle with same positioning hole and secure with bolt and knob EURO ADJUSTMENT Handle adjustment bracket Bolt S Bolt 7 Handle adjustment bracket 3 POSITION QUICK The handle on your
4. Walking speed too fast oor RON CORRECTION 1 2 3 4 5 6 T 8 9 Clean replace air filter Fill fuel tank Drain fuel tank and refill tank with fresh clean gasoline Drain fuel tank and refill tank with fresh clean gasoline Connect wire to plug Replace spark plug Tighten blade bolt or replace blade adapter Depress control bar to handle Replace control bar 10 Turn fuel valve lever to the ON position 11 Charge battery 12 Connect battery to engine ili oOo SON Raise cutting height Raise cutting height Clean replace air filter Clean underside of mower housing Check oil level Cut at slower walking speed 22 TROUBLESHOOTING See appropriate section in manual unless directed to an authorized Service Center PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Poor cut uneven Excessive vibration Starter rope hard to pull Worn bent or loose blade Wheel heights uneven Buildup of grass leaves and trash under mower Worn bent or loose blade Bent engine crankshaft Engine flywheel brake is on when control bar is released Bent engine crankshaft Blade adapter broken Blade dragging in grass Replace blade Tighten blade bolt Set all wheels at same height Clean underside of mower housing Replace blade Tighten blade bolt Contact a qualified service center Depress control bar to upper handl
5. HINGE BRACKET MOUNTED Rear door Hinge bracket Grass catcher frame Formed tabs HANDLE BRACKET MOUNTED Handle bracket hooks Rear Grass catcher handle Catcher frame side hook DOOR PIVOT PIN MOUNTED Pivot pins Rear Grass N door catcher handle Catcher frame hook DOOR SLOT MOUNTED Rear door slots Grass catcher handle Catcher frame hook HARD TOP GRASS CATCHER ASSEMBLE FRAME AND BAG e Thread upper tubular frame into hem of bag as shown Be sure angled ends of frame point downwards e Slip lower frame into tubular upper frame as shown e Slip vinyl bindings over frame Hem Start here Upper tubular frame Upper tubular frame Vinyl bindings we Lower frame ASSEMBLE TOP TO FRAME AND BAG NOTE For ease of assembly place catcher top upside down on work surface e Nest bag and frame assembly into catcher top e Install two 2 sharp pointed screws into rear holes first and tighten securely e Pull catcher bag forward on frame to remove slack e Install two 2 remaining sharp pointed screws in side holes and tighten se curely e Align lower frame and catcher top front holes e Install two 2 blunt pointed screws in front holes and tighten securely Sharp pointed screws Rear and side holes Catcher top Front holes Catcher bag and frame TO ATTACH HARD TOP CATCHER e Open the rear door on mower housing e P
6. cap dipstick on models so equipped e Slowly add oil For type and grade of oil to use see ENGINE in the Mainte nance section of this manual e Fill to the top of slot in filler hole to FULL line on dipstick on models so equipped Do not overfill e Replace plug oil fill cap dipstick on models so equipped and tighten e Check oil level before each use Add oil as needed e To change oil see Maintenance section of this manual FILL GASOLINE TANK e Fill gasoline tank with fresh clean un leaded gasoline DO NOT USE PRE MIUM GASOLINE BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERFILL TANK WARNING Experience indicates that alcohol blended fuels called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol can attract moisture which leads to separation and formation of acids during storage Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage To avoid engine problems the fuel system should be emptied before storage of 30 days or longer Drain the fuel tank start the engine and let it run until fuel lines and carburetor are empty Use fresh fuel next season See Storage Instructions for additional information Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in fuel tank or permanent damage may occur TO START ENGINE ACAUTION The mower blade rotates whenever the engine is running e Move engine speed control to FAST position or to CHOKE START position on models equipped with choke feature e f your mower has a primer
7. locknut and tighten securely e Repeat procedure for other rear wheel Wheel assembly Wave mle ASSEMBLE GRASS CATCHER REAR DISCHARGE MOWERS ONLY IMPORTANT If your model lawn mower is mulcher ready the mulcher plate or plug must be removed before using mower as a bagger To convert mower to bagging or discharging see the Operation section in this manual Look at the different grass catcher illustra tions that follow Determine which type of grass catcher you have and follow the appropriate instructions FABRIC TOP GRASS CATCHERS TO ASSEMBLE AND ATTACH GRASS CATCHER e Put grass catcher frame into grass bag with rigid part of bag on the bottom e Slip vinyl bindings over frame NOTE If vinyl bindings are too stiff hold them in warm water for a few minutes If bag gets wet let it dry before using e Lift the rear door on the mower housing e For HINGE BRACKET mounted catcher place the grass catcher frame onto the formed tabs on the rear door hinge bracket e For HANDLE BRACKET mounted catcher place frame side hooks into slots in handle brackets e For DOOR PIVOT PIN mounted catcher place the grass catcher frame hooks onto the door pivot pins e For DOOR SLOT mounted catcher place the grass catcher frame hooks into the slots of the rear door NOTE The grass catcher is secured to the lawn mower housing when the rear door is lowered onto the grass catcher frame Catcher frame
8. plug Tab Hinge rod COMBI CUT MOWERS Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a mulcher To convert to bagging or discharging REAR BAGGING e Open rear door and remove mulcher plate Store mulcher plate in a safe place e You can now install grass catcher e To convert to mulching or discharging operation install mulcher plug into rear discharge opening of mower making sure all tabs are seated properly Mulcher plate tabs SIDE DISCHARGING e Mulcher plate must be installed into rear discharge opening of mower See above instructions e Open mulcher door and install discharge deflector under door as shown e Mower is now ready for discharging operation e To convert to mulching or bagging operation discharge deflector must be removed and mulcher door must be tac Mulcher door 12 Open mulcher door Discharge deflector SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER WHEN CONVERTING YOUR COMBI CUT LAWN MOWER FOR MULCHING e Rear mulcher plate installed and rear door closed e Mulcher door closed FOR REAR BAGGING e Rear mulcher plate removed e Grass catcher installed e Mulcher door closed FOR SIDE DISCHARGING e Rear mulcher plate installed and rear door closed e Discharge deflector installed ACAUTION Do not run your lawn mower without rear mulcher plate or plug in place or approved grass catcher in place Never attempt to operate the lawn mower with
9. proper operation regularly Keep machine free of grass leaves or other debris build up Clean oil or fuel spillage Allow machine to cool before storing e Stop and inspect the equipment if you strike an object Repair if necessary before restarting e Never attemptto make wheel height adjust ments while the engine motor is running e Grass catcher components are subject to wear damage and deterioration which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown Frequently check components and replace with manufacturer s recommended parts when necessary e Mower blades are sharp and can cut Wrap the blade s or wear gloves and use extra caution when servicing them e Do not change the engine governor set ting or overspeed the engine CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a new Lawn Mower It has been designed engineered and manufactured to give you the best possible dependability and perfor mance Should you experience any problems you cannot easily remedy please contact your nearest authorized service center They have competent well trained technicians and the proper tools to service or repair this unit e Read the SAFETY RULES and this Operator s Manual in its entirety before you at tempt to assemble or operate your new lawn mower to insure proper operation and to prevent injury to yourself and others Save this manual for future reference e Your new lawn mower has been assembled at the factory with the e
10. sure of your footing keep a firm e Read understand and follow all hold on the handle and walk never run instructions on the machine and inthe Disengage the self propelled mechanism manual s before starting Be thoroughly Or rive clutch on mowers so equipped familiar with the controls and the proper before starting the engine motor use of the machine before starting e If the equipment should start to vibrate Do not put hands or feet near or under abnormally stop the engine motor and rotating parts Keep clear of the dis check immediately for the cause Vibra charge opening at all times tion is generally a warning of trouble e Only allow responsible individuals wno Always wear safety goggles or safety _ are familiar with the instructions to oper glasses with side shields when operating ate the machine mower ll SLOPE OPERATION Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents which can result in severe injury All slopes require extra cau tion If you feel uneasy on a slope do not mow it DO e Mow across the face of slopes never up and down Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes e Remove obstacles such as rocks tree limbs etc e Watch for holes ruts or bumps Tall grass can hide obstacles DO NOT e Do not trim near drop offs ditches or embankments The operator could lose footing or balance e Do not trim excessively steep slopes e Do not mow on wet g
11. E REGULAR SERVICE Check Tires Check Drive Wheels Power Propelled Mowers Check for Loose Fasteners Clean Inspect Grass Catcher If Equipped Clean Lawn Mower Clean Under Drive Cover Power Propelled Mowers Check drive belt pulleys Power Propelled Mowers Check Sharpen Replace Blade Clean Battery Recharge Electric Start Mowers Check Engine Oil Level ram Change Engine Oil Y Clean Air Filter Inspect Muffler Replace Spark Plug y 4 Replace Air Fiter Paper Carriage dodo dv d d 1 Change more often when operating under a heavy load or in high ambient temperatures 2 Service more often when operating in dirty or dusty conditions 3 Replace blades more often when mowing in sandy soil GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that have been subjected to op erator abuse or negligence To receive full value from the warranty operator must main tain mower as instructed in this manual Some adjustments will need to be made periodically to properly maintain your unit All adjustments in the Service and Adjust ments section of this manual should be checked at least once each season e Once a year replace the spark plug clean or replace air filter element and check blade for wear A new spark plug and clean new air filter element assures proper air fuel mixture and helps your engine run better and last longer e Follo
12. PARK PLUG Replace spark plug at the beginning of each mowing season or after every 100 hours of operation whichever occurs first Set spark plug gap according to engine manual specifications CLEANING IMPORTANT For best performance keep mower housing free of grass build up and trash Clean the underside of your mower after each use e Clean the underside of your lawn mower by scraping to remove buildup of grass and trash e Clean engine often to keep trash from accumulating A clogged engine runs hotter and shortens engine life e Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline oil etc We do not recommend using a garden hose to clean your lawn mower unless the electrical system muffler air filter and carburetor are covered to keep water out Water in engine can shorten engine life GRASS CATCHER IF SO EQUIPPED Grass catcher may be hosed with water but must be dry when used ACAUTION Under normal usage the catcher material is subject to deterioration and wear and should therefore be checked to ensure compliance with original manufacturer specifications SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ACAUTION Before performing any service or adjustments e Release operator presence control bar e Make sure the blade and all moving parts have completely stopped e Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with spark plug LAWN MOWER TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT See
13. R WHEELS FOR HIGH CUT Plate tab RAISE WHEELS FOR LOW CUT FOR MULCHING MOWERS ONLY Most mulching mowers are shipped ready to be used as a mulcher REAR DISCHARGE ONLY MOWERS Some models have a seperate mulcher plug other models have the mulcher plug built into the rear door To convert to bag ging or discharging the plate or plug if so equipped must be removed from the discharge opening of the lawn mower e Open rear door and remove mulcher plate or plug if so equipped Store mulcher plate or plug in a safe place e You can now install grass catcher or optional clipping deflector accessory e To return to mulching operation install mulcher plate or plug into discharge opening of mower ACAUTION Do not run your lawn mower without mulcher plate plug in place or ap proved clipping deflector or grass catcher in place Never attempt to operate the lawn mower with the rear door removed or propped open MULCHER PLATE Mulcher plate tabs MULCHER PLUG Mulcher plug Lever 10 MULCHER PLUG BUILT INTO REAR DOOR e Position lock lever over hinge bracket as l shown and raise lever to lock mulcher plug in place e Allow discharge guard to rest against lock lever e To return to discharging or bagging operation simply lower lock lever and remove mulcher plug from mower ACAUTION Do not run your lawn mower without discharge guard approved grass catcher or mulcher plate or plug in p
14. cutting and better grass Engine speed was set at the factory for bagging LOW or SLOW position is for optimum performance Engine speed is light cutting trimming and fuel economy not adjustable TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT Adjust cutting height to suit your require ments Medium position is best for most lawns Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels for high cut MODELS WITH MANUAL ADJUST BOLT ON WHEELS e Remove wheel bolt and hardware and reassemble in desired adjustment hole e Reinstall wheel components in the same order as they were before removal Tighten securely e Make sure all wheels are at the same D Spacer Flat washer Wheel MODELS WITH QUICK ADJUST WHEEL HEIGHT ADJUSTERS NOTE For shipping purposes the rear wheels on your lawn mower may not be adjusted to the same position as the front wheels Before operating mower adjust all wheels to the same cutting height e Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels for high cut e Adjust cutting height to suit your require ments Medium position is best for most lawns e To change cutting height squeeze ad juster lever toward wheel Move wheel up or down to suit your requirements Be sure all wheels are in the same set ting NOTE Adjuster is properly positioned when plate tab inserts into hole in lever Also 9 position adjusters if so equipped allow lever to be positioned between the plate tabs 3 8 16 Locknut LOWE
15. e before pulling starter rope Contact a qualified service center Replace blade adapter Move lawn mower to cut grass or to hard surface Grass catcher not filling If so equipped Hard to push Cutting height too low Lift on blade worn off Catcher not venting air Grass is too high or wheel height is too low Rear of lawn mower housing or cutting blade dragging in grass Grass catcher too full Handle height position not right for you 23 Raise cutting height Replace blade Clean grass catcher Raise cutting height Raise rear of lawn mower housing one 1 setting higher Empty grass catcher Adjust handle height to suit
16. harger into 110 volt A C outlet e Leave battery charger connected for 24 hours before starting your engine for the first time UNITS WITH HANDLE MOUNTED KEY SWITCH ONLY e After charging disconnect harness connector female from battery charger connector male Connect your battery charger to charge battery after each use IMPORTANT The engine will not recharge your battery UNITS WITH DECK MOUNTED BATTERY or TRIMPLATE MOUNTED KEY SWITCH e After charging connect engine connector male to battery connector female Your engine has an integral alternator for partial charging Connect your battery charger to charge battery as required IMPORTANT The engine alternator will not charge a discharged battery ALL UNITS At the end of the mowing season the battery should be charged for 48 hours to protect the battery during winter storage ACAUTION Always disconnect the engine connector male from the battery connector female to prevent accidental starting when transporting or storing your lawn mower after the season HANDLE MOUNTED KEY SWITCH Engine connector Harness connector female Battery charger Charger connector male DECK MOUNTED BATTERY Engine connector Battery charger Battery charger connector Battery connector Female Male TRIMPLATE MOUNTED KEY SWITCH Charger connector male El Battery connector female E
17. he adjustment section of your engine manual for further instructions ENGINE SPEED The engine speed has been factory set Do not attempt to increase engine speed as it may result in personal injury If you believe the engine is running too fast or too slow take your lawn mower to an authorized engine service center for repair and adjustment THROTTLE CONTROL If it becomes necessary to adjust or replace the throttle control see the adjust ment section of your engine manual STORAGE Immediately prepare your lawn mower for storage at the end of the season or if the unit will not be used for 30 days or more ACAUTION Never store the lawn mower with gasoline in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure LAWN MOWER When lawn mower is to be stored for a pe riod of time clean it thoroughly remove all dirt grease leaves etc Store in a clean ay area e Clean entire lawn mower See CLEAN ING in the Maintenance section of this manual Lubricate as shown in the Maintenance section of this manual Be sure that all nuts bolts screws and pins are securely fastened Inspect moving parts for damage breakage and wear Replace if necessary Touch up all rusted or chipped paint surfaces sand lightly before painting HANDLE Your handle may be folded for storage as shown NOTE The upper handle may have an anti fold b
18. ight on the first cut to reduce pushing effort to avoid overheating the engine and to avoid leaving clumps of grass clippings Make the second cut to the desired height For extremely heavy cutting reduce the width of cut For side discharge lawn mowers cut in a counterclockwise direction starting at the outside of the area to be cut in order to spread grass clippings more evenly and to put less load on the engine To keep clippings off of walkways flower beds etc make the first cuts in a clock wise direction e When using a rear discharge lawn mower in moist heavy grass clumps of cut grass may not enter the grass catcher Reduce ground speed pushing speed and or run the lawn mower over the area a second time If a trail of grass clipping is left on the right side of a rear discharge lawn mow er mow in a clockwise direction with a small overlap to collect the clippings on the next pass Pores in cloth grass catchers can be come filled with dirt and dust with use and the catcher will collect less grass To prevent this regularly hose catcher off with water and let dry before use FOR MULCHING MOWERS ONLY MULCHING MOWING TIPS IMPORTANT For best performance keep mower housing free of built up grass and trash See CLEANING in the Maintenance section of this manual e The special mulching blade will recut the 15 grass clippings many times and reduce them in size so tha
19. ign hole in handle with one of three height positioning holes e Insert handle bolt through handle and bracket and secure with knob e Repeat for opposite side of handle 3 POSITION EURO Handle adjustment bracket Knob Bolt 3 POSITION EZ ae Bolt Handle A 5 locknut 3 POSITION QUICK HANDLES e Raise lower handle section to operating position and squeeze the bottom ends of lower handle towards each other until the pin in handle can be inserted into one of the three height adjustment holes 3 POSITION QUICK ai n Handle pin SQUEEZE X P Handle adjustment bracket ALL HANDLES e Raise upper handle section into place on lower handle remove protective padding and tighten both handle knobs e Remove handle padding holding opera tor presence control bar to upper handle e Your lawn mower handle can be ad justed for your mowing comfort Refer to ADJUST HANDLE in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual NOTE For shipping purposes the rear wheels on your lawn mower may not be adjusted to the same position as the front wheels Before operating mower adjust all wheels to the same cutting height INSTALL REAR WHEELS HIGH WHEEL MOWERS ONLY Some high wheel models require washers which will be provided in a parts bag If provid ed install washers on the axle first as shown e Install one 1 rear wheel on the axle of rear wheel adjuster e Install 3 8 16
20. lace Raise discharge guard SIDE DISCHARGE ONLY MOWERS MULCHER PLATE TYPE To convert to bagging or discharging mulcher plate must be removed from un derside of lawn mower e Remove the four 4 screws and lock nuts securing the mulcher plate to the mower e Store mulcher plate and hardware in a safe place e Mower can now be used for side discharging or optional grass catcher accessory can be attached e To return to mulching operation simply reinstall mulcher plate and tighten hard ware securely Mulcher plug Screw and lock nut Mulcher plate MULCHER PLUG TYPE A To convert to mulching operation mulcher plug must be installed into discharge open ing of mower e Raise discharge guard and work mulcher plug into discharge opening of mower y LOWER LEVER TO UNLOCK MULCHER PLUG TYPE B To convert to mulching operation mulcher plug must be installed into discharge open ing of mower e Open discharge guard e Insert tab of mulch plug into housing opening e Align hooks of mulch plug over hinge rod of discharge guard Push mulch plug down until mulch plug is seated in hous ing opening ACAUTION Do not run your lawn mower without discharge guard approved grass catcher or mulcher plug in place Housing opening Mulch
21. lace frame side hooks into slots in handle brackets e Release rear door allowing it to nest into top of catcher Rear door Handle bracket Grass catcher frame hook ACAUTION Under normal usage the catcher material is subject to deterioration and wear and should therefore be checked frequently for replacement Any replacement catcher should be checked to ensure compliance with original manufac turer s specifications ACAUTION Do not run lawn mower without the discharge guard rear door approved grass catcher clipping deflector or mulcher plate in place Never attempt to operate mower with the discharge guard rear door removed or propped open SPARK PLUG BOOT On some models a spark plug boot is packed loose in the parts bag If your model has the boot install on spark plug wire and reconnect spark plug wire to spark plug Spark plug TO PREPARE BATTERY ELECTRIC START MODELS ONLY NOTE Your battery must be charged before you can start your lawn mower UNITS WITH HANDLE MOUNTED KEY SWITCH ONLY e Connect battery charger connector male to harness connector female UNITS WITH DECK MOUNTED BATTERY or TRIMPLATE MOUNTED KEY SWITCH e Disconnect engine connector male from battery connector female e Connect battery charger connector male to battery connector female ALL UNITS e Plug battery c
22. lawn mower has three 3 height positions adjust to height that suits you e Squeeze the bottom ends of lower handle towards each other until the pin in handle can be inserted into one of the three height adjustment holes Handle pin Handle adjustment bracket ADJUSTABLE HANDLES The upper handle may be adjusted to four 4 different height positions e Loosen both handle knobs only enough to allow the upper handle to pivot to the desired adjustment position e Tighten both handle knobs securely Handle knob REAR DEFLECTOR IF EQUIPPED The rear deflector attached between the rear wheels of your mower is provided to minimize the possibility that objects will be thrown out of the rear of the mower into the operator mowing position If the deflector becomes damaged it should be replaced 19 ENGINE CARBURETOR The carburetor has been preset at the fac tory and adjustment should not be neces sary However minor adjustment may be required to compensate for differences in fuel temperature altitude or load e The air filter must be assembled to the carburetor when running engine Best carburetor adjustment is obtained when fuel tank is 1 4 full In order for the engine to run the operator presence control bar must be held in the operating position Therefore and assis tant will be required to hold the control bar in the operating position when making final adjustment to the carburetor See t
23. lt lock washer and flat washer e Remove blade and blade adapter e Inspect the key inside blade adapter Replace adapter if damaged IMPORTANT Blade bolt is grade 8 heat treated e Install new or sharpened blade with trailing edge up toward the engine e Position blade on blade adapter Align the two 2 holes in blade with raised lugs of adapter e Reassemble blade bolt lock washer and flat washer into blade adapter and crankshaft in exact order as shown e Position block of wood between blade and mower housing e Tighten blade bolt securely Recom mended tightening torque is 35 40 ft Ibs NOTE We do not recommend sharpening blade but if you do be sure the blade is balanced Crankshaft keyway Blade bolt Hardened washer TO SHARPEN BLADE Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced An unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration and eventual damage to lawn mower and engine e The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding wheel Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower e To check blade balance drive a nail into a beam or wall Leave about one inch of the straight nail exposed Place center hole of blade over the head of the nail If blade is balanced it should remain in a horizontal position If either end
24. ngine g connector male Battery charger OPERATION WEAR VOUR The operation of any lawn BRIGGS amp STRATTON CLASSIC or SPRINT mower can result in foreign ENGINE MOUNTED SPEED CONTROL objects thrown into the meet eyes which can result in severe eye damage Always wear safety glasses or eye shields while operating your lawn mower or performing any adjustments or repairs We recom mend standard safety glasses or a wide vision safety mask worn over spectacles HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER ENGINE SPEED CONTROL MODELS WITH REMOTE THROTTLE Engine Engine speed is controlled by the throttle anced control located on the upper handle Primer if equipped control lever e Move lever forward to FAST engine speed for starting and better bagging BRIGGS amp STRATTON QUANTUM e Move lever backward for SLOW engine ENGINE MOUNTED SPEED CONTROL speed e Some models have engines equipped Engine speed control lever with a choke feature Move the lever all the way forward to the CHOKE position when starting a cold engine Primer if jea sippen N CHOKE START TECUMSEH ENGINE MOUNTED SPEED CONTROL Engine speed Mess control lever _ Remote throttle control MODELS WITH ENGINE MOUNTED SPEED CONTROL The engine speed is controlled by a lever Primer if equipped located at the carburetor on the engine HIGH or FAST position is for starting MODELS WITH FIXED SPEED ENGINES engine normal
25. of the blade moves downward sharpen the heavy end until the blade is balanced ENGINE Read the maintenance section of your engine manual LUBRICATION Change the oil after the first two hours of operation and every 25 hours thereafter or at least once a year if the lawn mower is not used for 25 hours in one year Refer to engine manual TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL SEE ENGINE MANUAL e Be sure lawn mower is on level surface e Oil will drain more freely when warm e Catch oil in a suitable container e For engines without dipstick remove bottom oil drain plug e For engines with oil fill cap dipstick remove bottom drain plug or remove en gine oil cap and turn mower on its side e After oil has drained completely replace oil drain plug and tighten securely e Refill engine with oil Pour slowly Do not overfill e Fill to top of slot inside of filler hole or to FULL line on dipstick on models so equipped Keep oil at proper level AIR FILTER Your engine will not run properly and may be damaged by using a dirty air filter Clean the element after every 25 hours of operation or every season Replace the air filter every 100 hours of operation or every season whichever occurs first Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions See the maintenance section of your engine manual Trailing edge Blade adapter 47 MUFFLER Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it could create a fire hazard and or damage S
26. ome of its Do not pull mower backwards unless constituents and certain vehicle compo absolutely necessary Always look down nents contain or emit chemicals known to and behind before and while moving the State of California to cause cancer and backwards birth defects or other reproductive harm e Do not operate the mower without AWARNING Battery posts terminals and proper guards plates grass catcher or related accessories contain lead and lead other safety protective devices in place compounds chemicals known to the State See manufacturer s instructions for of California to cause cancer and birth proper operation and installation of defects or other reproductive harm Wash accessories Only use accessories ap hands after handling proved by the manufacturer amp CAUTION Muffler and other engine e Stop the blade s when crossing gravel parts become extremely hot during drives walks or roads operation and remain hot after engine has Stop the engine motor whenever you stopped To avoid severe burns on contact leave the equipment before cleaning the mower or unclogging the chute e Shut the engine motor off and wait until X the blade comes to complete stop before stay away from these areas removing grass catcher e Mow only in daylight or good artificial light e Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs e Never operate machine in wet grass Al I GENERAL OPERATION ways be
27. prevent gum deposits from forming in essential fuel system parts such as carburetor fuel filter 21 fuel hose or tank during storage Also experience indicates that alcohol blended fuels called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol can attract moisture which leads to separation and formation of acids during storage Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage e Drain the fuel tank e Start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty e Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur e Use fresh fuel next season NOTE Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable alternative in minimizing the formation of fuel gum deposits during storage Add stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank or storage container Always follow the mix ratio found on stabilizer container Run engine at least 10 minutes after adding stabilizer to allow the stabilizer to reach the carburetor Do not drain the gas tank and carburetor if us ing fuel stabilizer ENGINE OIL Drain oil with engine warm and replace with clean oil See ENGINE in the Maintenance section of this manual CYLINDER e Remove spark plug e Pour one ounce 29 ml of oil through spark plug hole into cylinder e Pull starter handle slowly to distribute oil e Replace with new spark plug BATTERY IF EQUIPPED Disconnect the battery from the engine connector and charge batte
28. racket located on the right side of the handle This bracket prevents the upper handle from folding forward which helps protect control cable s from dam age e Squeeze the bottom ends of lower handle towards each other until handle clears the handle brackets and swing handles forward over mower e Loosen upper handle mounting hard ware enough to allow upper handle to be folded back IMPORTANT When folding handles for storage or transportation be sure to fold handles as shown or you may damage the control cables SQUEEZE 3 TO FOLD Lower handle POPP Ox xX Sos Oe SS SS lt Ax 2 lt gt S2 SSS SM SS SLS SeSe lt ZSZ SeSe lt gt 2S XSAS ZSSS xR Saseses SSSSSSS on x lt 2 I I I ad XX Xx D gt xX ass Operator presence control bar on os ix gt x3 xs Upper handle Mowing position 2 POSITION ADJUSTABLE HANDLES When setting you handles up from the storage position the lower handle will au tomatically lock into mowing position 20 2S XS 3 POSITION HANDLES When setting up your handle from the stor age position the lower handle will require manually locking into the mowing position 3 POSITION EURO Handle adjustment bracket Bolt Knob Bolt we Handle A uy Handle pin SQUEEZE A rd Handle adjustment bracket ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM IMPORTANT It is important to
29. rass Reduced foot ing could cause slipping Ill CHILDREN Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children Children are often attracted to the machine and the mowing activity Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them e Keep children out of the trimming area and under the watchful care of another responsible adult e Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area e Before and while walking backwards look behind and down for small children e Never allow children to operate the ma chine e Use extra care when approaching blind corners shrubs trees or other objects that may obscure vision IV SERVICE e Use extra care in handling gasoline and other fuels They are flammable and vapors are explosive Use only an approved container Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine running Allow engine to cool before refueling Do not smoke Never refuel the machine indoors Never store the machine or fuel container inside where there is an open flame such as a water heater e Never run machine inside a closed area e Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine motor running Disconnect the spark plug wire and keep the wire away from the plug to prevent accidental starting e Keep nuts and bolts especially blade attachment bolts tight and keep equip ment in good condition e Never tamper with safety devices Check their
30. ry 48 hours OTHER e Do not store gasoline from one season to another e Replace your gasoline can if your can starts to rust Rust and or dirt in your gasoline will cause problems e If possible store your unit indoors and cover it to protect it from dust and dirt e Cover your unit with a suitable protective cover that does not retain moisture Do not use plastic Plastic cannot breathe which allows condensation to form and will cause your unit to rust IMPORTANT Never cover mower while engine and exhaust areas are still warm ACAUTION Never store the lawn mower with gasoline in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure TROUBLESHOOTING See appropriate section in manual unless directed to an authorized Service Center PROBLEM Does not start Loss of power CAUSE Dirty air filter Out of fuel Stale fuel Water in fuel Spark plug wire is disconnected Bad spark plug Loose blade or broken blade adapter 8 Control bar in released position 9 Control bar defective 10 Fuel valve lever if so equipped in OFF position 11 Weak battery if equipped 12 Disconnected battery connector if equipped 1 Rear of lawn mower housing or cutting blade dragging in heavy grass Cutting too much grass Dirty air filter Buildup of grass leaves and trash under mower Too much oil in engine
31. t as they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass and not be noticed Also the mulched grass will biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn Always mulch with your highest engine blade speed as this will provide the best recutting ac tion of the blades Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet Wet grass tends to form clumps and interferes with the mulching action The best time to mow your lawn is the early afternoon At this time the grass has dried and the newly cut area will not be exposed to the direct sun For best results adjust the lawn mower cutting height so that the lawn mower cuts off only the top one third of the grass blades If the lawn is overgrown it will be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloading the engine and leaving clumps of mulched grass For extremely heavy mulching reduce your width of cut by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly ME i MAX 7 arry Ha ai dan PT hte EST iplgn Certain types of grass and grass conditions may require that an area be mulched a second time to completely hide the clippings When doing a sec ond cut mow across or perpendicular to the first cut path Change your cutting pattern from week to week Mow north to south one week then change to east to west the next week This will help prevent matting and graining of the lawn MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FILL IN DATES AS YOU COMPLET
32. the rear door removed or propped open GRASS CATCHER REAR BAGGING MODELS ONLY TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER e Simply open rear door and lift grass catcher up and away from mower NOTE Do not drag the bag when emptying It will cause unnecessary wear ACAUTION Under normal usage the catcher material is subject to deterioration and wear and should therefore be checked frequently for replacement Any replacement catcher should be checked to ensure compliance with original manufacturer s specifications ACAUTION Do not run lawn mower without the rear door approved grass catcher or clipping deflector in place Never attempt to operate mower with the rear door removed or propped open OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL BAR Your lawn mower is equipped with an op erator presence control bar which requires the operator to be positioned behind the lawn mower handle in order to start and operate the lawn mower CAUTION Federal regulations require an engine control to be installed on this lawn mower in order to minimize the risk of blade contact injury Do not under any circumstances attempt to defeat the function of the operator control The blade turns when the engine is running 13 BEFORE STARTING ENGINE Read the engine manual packed with your mower FILL ENGINE WITH OIL Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in the engine e Be sure mower is level and area around oil fill is clean e Remove engine oil filler plug oil fill
33. to start a cold engine push primer as many times as instructed in the engine manual packed with your mower Use a firm push This step is not usually necessary when starting an engine which has already run for a few minutes e Hold operator presence control bar down against handle MODELS WITH RECOIL STARTER e Pull starter handle quickly Do not allow starter rope to snap back MODELS WITH ELECTRIC STARTER e Push the engine start button or turn the key on models so equipped IMPORTANT Do not crank engine more than five continous seconds between each time you try to start Wait 5 to 10 seconds between each attempt ALL MODELS e For engines equipped with choke slowly move engine speed control lever to FAST after engine starts TO STOP ENGINE e To STOP engine release operator pres ence control bar NOTE For engines with a primer it may be necessary to repeat priming steps in cooler weather In warmer weather overpriming may cause flooding and engine will not start If you do flood engine wait a few minutes before attempting to start and DO NOT repeat priming steps Operator Recoil presence starter control bar handle center mount type Recoil starter handle side mount type 14 MOWING TIPS e For most cutting conditions and better bagging performance the engine speed should be set in the FAST position Under certain conditions such as when mowing very tall grass raise the mower he
34. w the Maintenance Schedule in this manual BEFORE EACH USE e Check engine oil level e Check for loose fasteners LUBRICATION Keep unit well lubricated IMPORTANT Do not oil or grease plastic wheel bearings Viscous lubricants will attract dust and dirt that will shorten the life 4 Charge 48 hours at end of season 5 And after each 5 hours of use LUBRICATION CHART Wheel adjuster on each wheel Engine oil Side dis charge mower guard hinge rod Rear dis charge mower rear door hinge rod Handle bracket mounting pins Spray lubricant See ENGINE in Maintenance section of the self lubricating bearings If you feel they must be lubricated use only a dry powdered graphite type lubricant sparingly 16 LAWN MOWER Always observe safety rules when perform ing any maintenance TIRES e Keep tires free of gasoline oil or insect control chemicals which can harm rub ber e Avoid stumps stones deep ruts sharp objects and other hazards that may cause tire damage BLADE CARE For best results mower blade must be kept sharp Replace bent or damaged blades 10 REPLACE BLADE e Turn lawn mower See engine manual for proper direction of turning over the engine e Use a wood block between blade and mower housing to prevent blade from turning when removing blade bolt e Protect your hands with gloves and or wrap blade with heavy cloth e Remove blade bo
35. xception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes To ensure safe and proper operation of your lawn mower all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely Use the correct tools as necessary to ensure proper tightness e All parts such as nuts washers bolts etc necessary to complete the assembly have been placed in the parts bag 3 TO REMOVE MOWER FROM CARTON e Remove all loose parts from carton e Remove lawn mower housing with care Avoid touching blade under housing Always wear gloves or other protection when working under or lifting mower THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU ASSEMBLE OR OPERATE YOUR LAWN MOWER Do I have a side or rear discharge lawn mower Look for the grass discharge opening on your mower If the opening is on the right side of the mower housing it is a side discharge mower If the opening is at the back of the mower housing it is a rear dis charge mower Only rear discharge lawn mowers have a grass catcher included with the mower Approved grass catchers for side discharge mowers may be purchased from your nearest authorized dealer Do I have a mulching lawn mower Look for the grass discharge opening on your mower Raise the discharge guard rear door on rear discharge mowers If the opening is closed off by a plate then your lawn mower is mulcher ready To convert to a discharging mower see the Operation section of this manual FRONT LEFT RIGHT HAND HAND SIDE SIDE
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