20
Recoil
starter
handle
Operator
presence
control bar
TO START ENGINE
CAUTION:
The mow er blade rotates
whenever the engine is running.
NOTE:
Due to protective coatings on the
engine, a small amount of smoke may be
present during the initial use of the prod-
uct and should be considered normal.
• Place engine START/STOP switch (if
equipped) in the ON po si tion.
• Move engine speed control to FAST po-
sition (or to CHOKE/START position on
models equipped with choke feature).
• If your mower has a primer, to start a
cold engine, push primer as many times
as in struct ed in the engine manual
packed with your mower. Use a firm
push. This step is not usually nec es-
sary when start ing an engine which has
already run for a few minutes.
• Hold operator presence control bar
down against han dle.
BEFORE STARTING EN GINE
Read the engine manual packed with your
mower.
FILL ENGINE WITH OIL
Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in
the engine.
• Be sure mower is level and area around
oil fill is clean.
• Remove engine oil filler plug (oil fill cap/
dipstick on models so equipped).
• Slowly add oil. For type and grade of
oil to use, see “ENGINE” in the Mainte-
nance section of this manual.
• Fill to the top of slot in filler hole (to
“FULL” line on dipstick on models so
equipped). Do not overfill.
• Replace plug (oil fill cap/dipstick on
models so equipped) and tighten.
• Check oil level before each use. Add oil
as needed.
• To change oil, see Maintenance section
of this manual.
FILL GASOLINE TANK
• Fill gasoline tank with fresh, clean,
unleaded gaso line. DO NOT USE PRE-
MIUM GASOLINE. BE CARE FUL NOT
TO OVERFILL TANK.
WARNING:
Al co hol blended fuels (called
gaso hol or using ethanol or metha nol) can
at tract mois ture which leads to sepa ra tion
and for ma tion of acids during storage.
Acidic gas can damage the fuel system
of an en gine while in stor age. To avoid
engine prob lems, the fuel system should be
emptied before stor age of 30 days or longer.
Drain the fuel tank, start the engine and let it
run until fuel lines and car bu re tor are empty.
Use fresh fuel next season. See Stor age
In struc tions for ad di tion al in for ma tion. Never
use en gine or car bu re tor clean er prod ucts in
fuel tank or per ma nent dam age may occur.
TO STOP ENGINE
• To stop engine, release operator pres-
ence control bar and/or place engine
START/STOP switch (if equipped) in the
OFF po si tion.
NOTE:
For engines with a primer, it may
be nec es sary to repeat priming steps
in cooler weather. In warmer weath er,
overpriming may cause flood ing and
en gine will not start. If you do flood
engine, wait a few minutes before
attempting to start and DO NOT repeat
priming steps.
MODELS WITH RECOIL START ER
• Pull starter handle quickly. Do not allow
starter rope to snap back.
MODELS WITH ELECTRIC START ER
• Push the engine start button (or turn the
key on models so equipped).
IMPORTANT:
Do not crank engine more
than five continous seconds each time you
try to start. Wait 5 to 10 seconds between
each attempt.
ALL MODELS
• For engines equipped with choke,
slowly move engine speed control lever
to FAST after engine starts.
OPERATION
17
OPERATION
3. Secure rear of discharge chute to lawn
mower housing with knob.
4. Place rear handle of grass catcher on
the crossbar of the lawn mower's lower
handle as shown.
5. Lift the round door of the discharge
chute and place the grass catcher into
place on the discharge chute.
NOTE:
Be sure the grass catcher is se-
curely locked in place and the round door
of the discharge chute rests on the grass
catcher as shown.
• Mower is now ready for rear bagging
operation.
• To convert to mulching operation,
remove grass catch er and discharge
chute. Secure mulcher door to mower
housing with knob.
• To convert to side dis charg ing opera-
tion, remove grass catch er and dis-
charge chute. Install side discharge
deflector and secure it to lawn mower
housing with knob.
SIDE DISCHARGING
1. Grass catcher and discharge chute
must be removed.
2. Open mulcher door and install front of
side dis charge deflector beneath it as
shown.
3. Secure rear of side discharge deflector
to lawn mower housing with knob.
• Mower is now ready for side discharg-
ing operation.
• To convert to mulching operation, side
dis charge deflector must be removed
and mulcher door secured to mower
housing with knob.
• To convert to rear bagging opera-
tion, side discharge deflector must be
removed; discharge chute and grass
catcher installed and discharge chute
secured to mower housing with knob.
Round
door
Starter
rope
OPEN
Front
handle
Side
discharge
deflector
Knob
Threaded
stud
Mulcher door
SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER
WHEN CONVERTING YOUR 21" HI-VAC:
FOR MULCHING -
1. Grass catcher, discharge chute and
side discharge deflector removed.
2. Mulcher door secured to mower hous-
ing with knob.
FOR REAR BAGGING -
1. Side discharge deflector removed.
2. Grass catcher and discharge chute
installed with discharge chute secured
to lawn mower housing with knob.
3. Round door of discharge chute resting
on top of grass catcher.
FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -
1. Grass catcher and discharge chute
removed.
2. Side discharge deflector installed and
secured to mower housing with knob.
CAUTION:
Do not run your lawn
mower with out mulcher door closed; side
discharge deflector installed, or discharge
chute and ap proved grass catcher in
place. Never at tempt to op er ate the lawn
mow er with mulcher door or round door
re moved or propped open.
TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER
1. Open round door of discharge chute to
move starter rope out and away from
grass catcher.
2. Remove grass catcher with clippings
from lawn mower using both front and
rear handles.
3. Empty clippings from grass catcher
using rear handle. The weight of the
grass will open the door.
4. Snap door shut over frame before
installing grass catcher on mower.
NOTE
: Do not drag the bag when emp-
tying; it will cause unnecessary wear.
