16
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS
CAUTION: Before performing any service or adjustments:
• Release operator presence control bar.
• Make sure the blade and all moving parts have com plete ly stopped.
• Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it can not come in
contact with plug.
LAWN MOWER
TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT
See “TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT” in
the Operation sec tion of this manual.
TO ADJUST HANDLE
2 POSITION HANDLES
The handle can be mounted in a high or
low po si tion. The mounting holes in the
bottom of lower handle are off center for
raising or lowering the handle.
• Remove upper handle and all parts at-
tached to lower handle.
• Remove hairpin cotters from lower
handle bracket mount ing pin.
• Squeeze lower handle in to remove it
from mounting pins.
• Turn lower handle over to raise or lower
handle.
• Squeeze lower handle in and position
holes onto mount ing pins on handle
bracket.
• Reassemble hairpin cotters onto mount-
ing pins.
• Reassemble upper handle and all parts
removed from lower handle.
TURN LOWER
HANDLE OVER
TO ADJUST HEIGHT
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly and may
be damaged by using a dirty air fi lter.
Clean the element after every 25 hours of
operation or every season. Replace the air
fi lter every 100 hours of operation or every
season, whichever occurs fi rst. Service air
cleaner more often under dusty conditions.
See the maintenance section of your
engine manual.
MUFFLER
Inspect and replace corroded muffl er as it
could create a fi re hazard and/or damage.
SPARK PLUG
Replace spark plug at the beginning of
each mowing season or after every 100
hours of operation, whichever occurs fi rst.
Set spark plug gap according to engine
manual specifi cations.
CLEANING
IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep
mower housing free of grass build-up and
trash. Clean the underside of your mower
after each use.
• Clean the underside of your lawn mower
by scraping to remove buildup of grass
and trash.
• Clean engine often to keep trash from
accumulating. A clogged engine runs
hotter and shortens engine life.
• Keep fi nished 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, muffl er, air fi lter, 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.
CAUTION: Under nor mal usage, the
catch er material is subject to de te ri o ra tion
and wear and should therefore be checked
to ensure compliance with origi nal
manufacturer specifi cations.
Mowing
position
Mowing
position
HIGH POSITION
LOW POSITION
Handle
bracket
Hairpin
cotter
Mounting
pin
5
3 POSITION “QUICK” HANDLES
• 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 “EZ” HANDLES
• Raise lower handle section to operating
position and align hole in handle with
one of three height positioning holes.
• Insert handle bolt through handle and
bracket and secure with knob.
• Repeat for opposite side of handle.
Flanged
locknut
Wheel
assembly
Wave
Washers
Axle
Handle
ad just ment
brack et
Knob
Bolt
Handle pin
Handle
ad just ment
bracket
SQUEEZE
ALL HANDLES
• Raise upper handle section into place on
lower han dle, remove protective padding
and tighten both handle knobs.
• Remove handle padding holding opera-
tor pres ence control bar to upper handle.
• 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 wash ers
which will be pro vid ed in a parts bag. If provid-
ed, install washers on the axle fi rst as shown.
• Install one (1) rear wheel on the axle of
rear wheel adjuster.
• Install 3/8-16 locknut and tighten securely.
• Repeat procedure for other rear wheel.
MOWING
POSITION
Lower handle
LIFT
UP
Operator
presence
control bar
Upper
handle
LIFT
UP
Handle
knob
AS SEM BLE 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.