Ariens 96146000300, A173K22 (96146000300) Owner’s Manual

A1 73

(96136100)

Owner's Manual

430855 Rev. 3 03.31.10 BY

• EspaSol, p. t8 Pdnted in U,S.A.

Safety Rules .......................................... 2-4

Product Specifications .............................. 4

Assembly / Pre-Operation ........................ 5

Operation ............................................... 6-9

Maintenance Schedule ........................... 10

Maintenance ...................................... 10-13

Service and Adjustments ...................13-14

Storage .............................................. 14-15

Troubleshooting ................................. 16-17

Repair Parts....................................... 34-43

Warranty ................................................. 44

IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in

serious injury or death.

ALook for this symbol to point out impor- tant safety precautions. It means

CAUTION!!t BECOME ALERTf!! YOUR SAFETY tS INVOLVED.

A WARNING: In order to prevent ac- cidental starting when setting up, trans- porting, adjusting or making repairs, always disconnect spark plug wire and

place wire where it cannot come in contact

with plug. _,WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its

constituents, and certain vehicle components contain oremit chemicals known to the State

ofCalifornia tocause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

_t,WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead

compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth

defects Orother reproductive harm. Wash

hands after handling.

A CAUTION; Muffler and other engine

partsbecome extremely hot during

operation and remain hot after engine

has stopped. To avoid severe burns on

contact, stay away from these areas.

I. GENERAL OPERATION

• Read, understand, and follow all

instructions onthe machine and in the manual(s) before starting. Be thoroughly

familiar with the controls and the proper

use of the machine before starting.

• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts. Keep clear of the dis-

charge opening at all times.

• Only allow responsible individuals, who are familiar with the instructions, to oper-

ate the machine.

• Clear the area of objects such as rocks,

toys, wire, bones, sticks, etc., which could be picked up and thrown by blade.

• Be sure the area is clear of other people

before mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

° DOnot operate the mower when bare-

foot or wearing open sandals. Always wear substantial foot wear.

° Do not putt mower backwards unless

absolutely necessary. Always look down and behind before and while moving backwards.

• Never direct discharged material toward anyone. Avoid discharging material

against a wall or obstruction. Material

may richochet back toward the operator.

Stop the brade when crossing gravel surfaces.

° Do not operate the mower without

proper guards, plates, grass catcher or other safety protective devices in place.

• See manufacturer's instructionsfor prop- er operation and installation of accesso-

ries. Only use accessories approved by

the manufacturer.

• Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel

drives, wa/ks, or roads.

° Stop the engine (motor) whenever you

leave the equipment, before cleaning the mower or unclogging thechute.

• Shut the engine (motor) off and wait until the blade comes to complete stop before

removing grass catcher.

Mow only in daylightor good artificial

light.

• Donotoperatethemachinewhile under

the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Never operate machine in wet grass. Always be sure of your footing: keep a

firm hold on the handle; walk, never run.

• Disengage the self-propelled mech- anism or drive clutch on mowers so

equipped before starting the engine.

• If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine (motor) and

check immediately for the cause. Vibra- tion is generally a warning of trouble.

• Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields when operating mower.

II. SLOPE OPERATION Slopes are a majorfactor related to slip &

fallaccidentswhich can result in severe

injury. All slopes require extra caution.If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it.

DO:

° Mow acrossthe face of slopes:never

up anddown. Exerciseextreme caution

when changingdirection on slopes.

• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.

• Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Tall

grass can hide obstacles.

DO NOT: ° DOnot trim near drop-offs, ditches or

embankments. The operator could lose footing or balance.

° Do not trim excessively steep slopes.

• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced footing could cause slipping.

II!. 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.

• Keep children out of the trimming area and under the watchful care of another

responsible adult.

• Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area.

• Before and while walking backwards, look behind and down for small children.

° Never allow children to operate the

machine.

, Use extra care when approaching blind

corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects

that may obscure vision.

IV. SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE

Use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the

vapors are explosive.

• Extinguishall cigarettes, cigars, pipes

and other sources of ignition.

• Use onlyan approvedcontainer.

• Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow engine to cool beforerefueling.

• Never refuel the machine indoors,

• Never store the machine or fuel contain-

erwhere there is an open flame, spark orpilotlightsuch as a water heater or

onother appliances.

• Never fill containersinside a vehicle, on

a truckor trailerbed witha plastic liner, Always place containerson the ground away from your vehicle beforefilling.

• Remove gas-powered equipment from

the truck or trailer and refuel it on the

ground. Ifthis is not possible,then

refuel such equipmentwith a portable

container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.

• Keep the nozzle in contactwith the rim

ofthe fuel tank orcontainer opening at all times untilfueling iscomplete. Do notuse a nozzle lock-opendevice.

° If fuel is spilled on clothing,change

clothingimmediately.

• Never overfillfuel tank. Replace gas cap andtightensecurely.

V. GENERAL SERVICE

• Never run a machine inside a closed area.

• 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.

• Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade attachment bolts, tight and keep equip-

ment in good condition.

• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their 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.

° Stop and inspect the equipment if you

strike an object. Repair, if necessary, before restarting.

° Never attempt to make wheel height

adjustments while the engine is running.

• 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.

_,WARNING: This lawn mower is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark

arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it

should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.

In the state of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on

federal lands.

• Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.

• Do not change the engine governor set-

ting or overspeed the engine.

• Maintain or replace safety and instruc-

tion labels, as necessary.

Serial Number: Date of Purchase:

Gasoline Capacity / Type_ 1,5 Quarts (Unleaded Regular)

Oil Capacity: 20 Ounces Oil Type (API SG-SL): SAE 30 (above 32°F); SAE I0W_30 (below 32°F)

Spark Plug: Champion RC12YC (Gap: ,030") Blade Bolt Torque: 35-40 ft. Ibs.

The model and serial numbers will be found on a decal on the rear of the lawn mower housing. Record both serial number and date of purchase in space provided above.

Readtheseinstructionsandthismanualin itsentiretybeforeyouattempttoassemble oroperateyournewlawnmower,

IMPORTANT:Thislawnmowerisshipped WITHOUTOILORGASOLINEinthe

engine. Yournewlawnmowerhasbeenassem-

bledatthefactorywiththeexceptionof thosepartsleftunassembledforshipping purposes,Toensuresafeandproper operationofyourlawnmower,a_lparts andhardwareyouassemblemustbetight-

enedsecurely,Usethecorrecttoolsas necessarytoensurepropertightness,Atl

partssuchasnuts,washers,bolts,etc., necessarytocompletetheassemblyhave

beenplacedinthepartsbag.

Operator MOWING control bar

UP handle

POSITION

Upper

Handle

knob

Lower handle

TO REMOVE MOWER FROM CARTON

1. Remove loose parts included with

mower,

2. Cut downtwo end corners of carton and lay end panel down flat,

3. Remove all packing materials except paddingbetween upper and lower

handleand padding holdingoperator presence controlbar to upper handle.

4, RoUlawnmower outof carton and

checkcarton thoroughlyfor additional loose parts.

HOW TO SET UP YOUR MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so

as not topinch ordamage controlcables.

1. Raise handles until lower handle sec- tionlocksinto placein mowingposi-

tion.

2. Remove protectivepadding, raise up- per handle section intoplace onlower handle and tightenboth handle knobs.

3, Remove handle padding holding

operator presence control bar to upper handle.

Your lawn mower handle can be adjusted for your mowing comfort. Refer to "AD-

JUST HANDLE" inthe Service and Adjust-

ments section of this manual.

TO ASSEMBLE GRASS CATCHER

1. Put grass catcher frame into grass bag with rigid part of bag on the bottom.

Make sure the frame handle is outside of the bag top.

2. 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.

Vinyl Frame bindings opening

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS

Your lawn mower was Shippedready to be used as a muicher. To convertmower to

bagging or discharging,see 'q'O CON-

VERT MOWER" in the Operation section

ofthis manual.

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND ALL SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER. Compare the illustrations with your lawn mower to familiarize

yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference.

These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in literature supplied with the'" product. Learn and understand their meaning.

CAUTION ENGINE ENGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEP HANDS OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY |ml i i ,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,m,ll i

Drive

control Operator presence control bar

Handle knob

handle

Gasoline filler cap

Grass

Air filter

Eng with dipstick

Muffler

cover

Housin(

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the engine.

mi,ii i , i ,,m,,,i ,,m,, H i ,,,,i,ii

adjuster

(on each wheel)

MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS Our rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards of the

American National Standards Institute and the U,S. Consumer Product Safety Com-

mission. AWARNING: The blade turns when the eng!ne is running, Operator presence control bar - must Starter handle - used for starting engine.

be he_ddown to the handle to start the Drive control bar - used to engage engine. Release to stop the engine, power-propelled forward motion of mower.

Theoperation of any lawn

mower can result in foreign objectsthrown into theeyes,

which can result in severe

safety glasses or eye shields while oper- ating your lawn mower or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend a standard safety glasses or widevision safety mask worn over spectacles.

HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

ENGINE SPEED

The engine speed was set at the factory for optimum performance. Speed is not adjustable.

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL

_CAUTION: Federal regulations require

an engine controlto be installed on this lawnmower inorder to minimizethe

risk of bladecontact injury.Donot under any circumstancesattempt to defeatthe function of the operatorcontrol.The blade turnswhen the engine is running. * Your lawn mower isequipped with an

operatorpresence control bar which requires the operatorto be positioned

behind the tawnmower handle to start

and operatethe lawn mower.

TO OPERATE DRIVE SYSTEM

• To start forward motion, lift drive con- trol bar up to handle.

- Tostop forward motion, release drive

control bar.

IMPORTANT: Always keep drive control fully engaged against handle when in use.

eye damage. Always wear

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

Raise wheelsfor low cut and lowerwheels for highcut, adjust cutting heightto suit

your requirements. Medium positionis

best for most lawns.

• To change cuttingheight, squeeze ad- juster lever toward wheel. Move wheel

upordown to suit yourrequirements. Be

sure all wheels are in the same setting.

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.

LEVERBACKWARD Platetab

TO LOWERMOWER

LEVERFORWARDTO RAISEMOWER Lever

TO ATTACH GRASS CATCHER

1. Liftthe rear door of the lawn mower and place the grass catcher frame side

hooksonto the door pivot pins.

2, The grass catcher issecured to the

lawn mowerhousingwhen the rear

door is lowered ontothe grasscatcher

frame.

_IkCAUTION: Do not runyour lawn

mower withoutmulcher plate or plug, clip- ping deflector or approved grass catcher in place. Never attempt to operate the

fawnmowerwith the rear door removed or

proppedopen.

Rear

Grass

catcher

handle

Operator

presence

control bar

DRIVE CONTROL ENGAGED

DRIVE CONTROL DISENGAGED

Catcher frame hook

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER

1. Lift up on grass catcher usingthe

frame handle.

2. Remove grass catcher with clippings from under lawn mower handle.

3. Empty clippings from bag.

NOTE: Do not drag the bag when emp-

7 tying; itwill cause unnecessarywear.

Grass

catcher

frame

TO CONVERT MOWER

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be

used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging:

• Open rear door and remove mulcher plug. Store mulcher plug in a safe

place.

• You can now install grass catcher or optional clipping deflector.

• To convert to mulching operation, install mulcher plug into rear discharge open-

ing of mower.

CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower

without mulcher plug, clipping deflector or approved grass catcher in place. Never at-

tempt to operate the lawn mower with the rear door removed or propped open.

Mulcher plug

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

ADD OIL Your lawnmower is shippedwithout oil in

the engine. For type and grade of oil to use, see "ENGINE" in the Maintenance

section of this manual.

A CAUTION: DO NOT overfill engine with

oil, or it will smoke heavily from the muffler on startup.

1. Be sure Iawnmower is level.

2. Remove oil dipstick from oil fill spout.

3. You receive a container of oil with the unit. Slowly pour the entire container

down the oil fill spout into the engine.

NOTE: initialoil fill requires only t8 oz. due to residual oil inengine from the

manufacturers 100% quality testing. When changing oilyou may need 20 oz. 4, Insert and tighten dipstick.

IMPORTANT: * Check oil level before each use. Add oil

if needed. Fillto full line on dipstick.

° Change the oil after every 25 hours of

operation or each season, You may need to change the oil more often

under dusty, dirty conditions. See "TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL" in the Mainte-

nance section of this manual.

filler cap

oil cap

ADD GASOLINE

• Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck. Do not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular

unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline.

Purchase fuel in.quantities that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel fresh-

ness.

& CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline

ar an open flame.

CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels

(called gasohol or using ethanol or metha- nol) 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 fue! system should be emptied before storage of 30 days or longer. Empty the gas tank, start

the engine and let it run until the fuel lines

and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next season_ See Storage instructions for

additional information. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner productsin the fuel

tankor permanent damage may occur,

TO STOP ENGINE

• To stop engine,release operator pres-

ence control bar.

TO START ENGINE

NOTE: Due to protectivecoatingsonthe

engine, a small amount of smoke may be present during the initial use of the product

and should be considered normal. NOTE: Your engine is equippedwith an

automatic choke system. No priming or choking is required before starting.

• To start engine, hold operator presence control bar down to the handle and pull starter handle quickly. Do notallow starter rope to snap back.

MOWING TIPS A CAUTION: Do not use de-thatcher blade attachments on your mower.Such

attachments are hazardous, wiltdamage your mowerand couldvoid yourwarranty.

• Under certainconditions,such as very tailgrass, it may be necessary toraise the height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloadingthe engine and leavingclumpsof grass clip- pings. It may also be necessaryto re-

duce ground speed and/or runthe lawn

mower over the area a second time.

• For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the

width ofcut by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly.

• For bettergrass bagging and most cut- tingconditions,the engine speed should

be set in the FAST position.

• Pores in clothgrass catchers can be-

come filled with dirt and dust with use and catcherswill collect less grass. To

prevent this, regularly hose catcher off

with water and let dry before using.

• Keep topof engine around starterclear

and clean of grass clippingsand chaff. Thiswill help engine airflow and extend

engine life.

MULCHING MOWING TIPS IMPORTANT: For best performance,

keep mower housing free of built-up grassand trash. See "CLEANING" inthe

Maintenancesection ofthis manual.

• The special mulchingblade will recut

the grass clippingsmany timesand

reducethem insize so that as they fall

onto the lawn they will disperseinto the grass and not be noticed. Also, the

mulchedgrasswill biodegrade quickly

to providenutrientsfor the lawn. Always

mulchwithyour highestengine (blade)

speed as thiswill providethe best recut- tingaction of the blades.

• Avoid cuttingyour lawn whenit is wet. Wet grasstends to form clumpsand

interfereswiththe mulchingaction. The best time to mow your lawn isthe early afternoon. At this timethe grass has dried, yet the newly cut area will not be

exposedto direct sunlight.

• For best results, adjust the lawnmower

cuttingheight so that the lawnmower cutsoffonly the topone-thirdof the grass blades. If the lawn isovergrownit

willbe necessary to raise the height of cutto reduce pushingeffort and to keep from overloadingthe engine and leaving clumpsof mulched grass.For extremely

heavy grass,reduce your width of cut by overlappingpreviously cutpath and

mow slowly.

• Certain types of grass and grass conditionsmay require that an area be mulched a second time to completely hide the clippings. When doing a sec- ond cut, mow across (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 witl help prevent matting and

graining of the lawn.

MAINTENANCE BEFORE SCHEDULE EACH

i i iiii i,

Check for Loose Fasteners V'

_ Clean / Inspect Grass Catcher * i,/

Check Tires ' I_'

NW Check Drive Wheels *** V'

Clean Lawn Mower ****

_i Clean under Drive Cover ***

C'heck Dri,ve Belt /Pulteys ***' '

_ Check / Sharpen/,Replace Blade

R rLubrication

Clean and: Recharge 8aftePj **

Check Engine Oil levet ' • I_ '

!E Change Engine Oil

(;lean Air Filter .......

Inspect Muffler .....

I Rep{ace Spark #lug S Replace Air Filter Paper Cartridge

Empty fueI,systern or add Stabilizer

, (if so equipped)

• * Electric-Start mowers

• ** Power-Propelled mowers

• *** Use a scraper

to clear_ under deck

1 - Change more often if operating under a heavy Joad or in high outdoor temperatures, 2 - Service more often if operating in dirt'/or dus_ conditions.

3 * Replace b_ades more often when mowing in sandy soil,

4 - Charge 48 hours at end of season.

5 - And after each 5 hours of use_

ill

USE

AFTER

EACH

USE

EVERY

HOURS

EVERY

25 HOURS

OR SEASON

iii

'"if

v' v'

EVERY

100

HOURS

BEFORE

STORAGE

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To receive full value from the warranty, operator must

maintain unit as instructed in this manual. Some adjustments will need to be made

periodically to properly maintain your unit. At least once a season, check to see if

you should make any of the adjustments described in the Service and Adjustments

section of this manual.

• At least 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

assure proper air-fuel mixture and help your engine run better and last longer.

• Follow the maintenance schedule inthis

manual.

BEFORE EACH USE

• Check engine oil level.

• Check for loose fasteners.

LUBRICATION Keep unit well lubricated

(See "LUBRICATION CHART'').

LUBRICATION CHART

adjuster (on

each wheel)

(_) Rear door

(_ Handle bracket mounting pins

_ Spray lubricant

See "ENGINE" In Maintenance section.

IMPORTANT: Do not oil or grease plastic wheel bearings. Viscous lubricants will

attract dust anddirtthat will shorten the lifeof the self-lubricating bearings. Ifyoufeel they

mustbe lubricated, use onlyadry, powdered

0graphite type lubricant sparingly.

Wheel

ne oil

hinge

LAWN MOWER

Always observe safety rutes when per- forming any maintenance.

TIRES

• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemicals which can harm rubber.

• Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and other hazards that may

cause tire damage.

DRIVE WHEELS

Check front drive wheels each time before you mow to be sure they move freely.

The wheels not turning freely means trash, grass cuttings, etc. are in thedrive wheel area

and must be cleaned to free drive wheels.

If necessary to clean the drive wheels, be

sure to clean both front wheels.

1. Remove hubcaps, locknuts & washers.

2. Remove wheels from wheel adjusters.

3. Remove any trash or grass cuttings from inside the dust cover, pinionand/

or drive wheel gear teeth.

4. Put wheels back in place.

NOTE: If after cleaning, the drive wheels do not turn freely, contact a qualified service center.

BLADE CARE For best results, blade must be kept sharp. j_eplace a bent or damaged blade.

CAUTION= Use only areplacement blade

approved bythe manufacturer ofyour mower. Using a blade not approved by the manu-

facturer of your mower is hazardous, could damage your mower and void your warranty.

TO REMOVE BLADE

t. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark

plug and place wire where itcannot come in contact with plug.

2. Turn lawn mower on its side. Make

sure air filter and carburetor are up.

3. Use a wood block between blade and

mower housing to prevent blade from

turning when removing blade bolt. NOTE= Protect your hands with gloves and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.

4. Remove blade bolt by turning counter-

clockwise. 5; Remove blade & attaching hardware

(bolt, lock washer & hardened washer).

TO REPLACE BLADE

1. Position blade on the blade adapter aligning the two (2) holes in the blade

with the raised lugs on the adapter.

2+ Be sure the trailing edge of blade (oppo-

site sharp edge) is up toward the engine.

3. Install the blade bolt with the lock washer and hardened washer into

blade adapter and crankshaft.

4. Use block of wood between blade and lawn mower housing and tighten the

blade bolt, turning clockwise.

RecommendedUghteningtorque:35-40ff.lbs. IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is heat treated.

If bolt needs replacing, replace onIy with approved bolt shown inthe Repair Parts

section of this manual. Blade adapter Key

Crankshaft

_ keyway

Lockwasher ...£_ ! Blade Hardene¢

bolt washer

Trailing edge

'\ _/" Belt

Crankshaft retainer

TO SHARPEN BLADE NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening

the blade - but if you do, be sure the blade

is balanced. Care should be taken to keep

the blade balanced. An unbalancedblade will cause eventual damage to mower orengine.

• The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding wheel+ Do not attempt

to sharpen while on the mower.

• To check blade balance, drive a nail into a beam or walt. Leave about one inchof

the straight nail exposed. Place center hole of blade over the head of the nail.

tf b[ade isbalanced, it shouldremain in a horizontal position, Ifeither end ofthe blade moves downward, sharpen the heavy end until the blade is balanced.

GRASS CATCHER ° The grass catcher may be hosedwith

water, but must be dry when used.

• Check your grass catcher often for dam- age or deterioration. Through normal

use it will wear. Ifcatcher needs replac- ing, replace only with approved replace-

ment catcher shown inthe Repair Parts

section of this manual. Give the lawn

mower model number when ordering.

GEAR CASE

• To keep your drive system working

properly,the gear case and area around

the drive should be kept clean and free

of trash build-up. Clean under the drive cover twice a season.

• The gear case is filled with lubricant to the

proper level at the factory+ The only time the lubricant needs attention is if service

has been performed on the gear case.

If lubricant is required, use only Texaco Starplex Premium 1 Grease, Part No.

750369. Do not substitute.

ENGINE LUBRICATION

Use only high quality detergent oil rated

with API service classification SJ-SL, Select the oil's SAEviscositygrade according

to your expected operating temperature,

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

7. Continue adding smatl amounts of oil, rechecking the dipstick until oil level

settles at FULL. DO NOT overfill,or engine wilt smoke heavily from the

muffler on startup.

8. Always be sure to retighten oil dipstick before starting engine.

9. Reconnect spark plug wire to plug.

,_ mll

°F-20,. . _ 2o,3_o., _. _,0, !_0

TF-MPEPATURE RANGE EXPECTED 8EFOR,E NEXT OIL CHANGE

Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation orat least once a year ifthe

lawn mower is not used for 25 hours in one year.

Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine and after each five (5) hours of continuous use, Tighten oil plug

securely each time you check the oil level.

TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL

NOTE: Before tipping lawn mower to drain oil, empty fuel tank by running engine until

fuel tank is empty. I. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark

plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug.

2. Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a clean surface.

3. Tip lawn mower on its side as shown

and drain oil into a suitable container.

Rock iawn mower back and forth to re- move any oil trapped inside of engine.

AIR FILTER

Your engine willnot run properly and may be damaged by using a dirty air filter.

Replace the air filter every 100hours of operation or every season, whichever oc-

curs first. Service air cleaner more often

under dusty conditions.

TO CLEAN AIR FILTER

1, Remove cover,

2. Carefully remove cartridge.

3. Clean by gently tapping on a flat sur- face. If very dirty, replace cartridge.

_.CAUTION: Petroleum solvents, such as kerosene, are not to be used to clean

cartridge, They may cause deterioration of the cartridge, Do not oil cartridge. Do not use pressurized air to clean or dry cartridge.

4. Install cartridge, then repYacecover.

Cartridge

Back plate

4. Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn mower or side of engine,

5. Slowly pouroil down the oil fill spout, stopping every few ounces to check the

oil level with the dipstick.

6. Stop adding oil when you reach the FULL mark on the dipstick. Wait a

minute to allow oil to settle.

IN-LINE FUEL FILTER The fuel filter should be replaced once

each season. If fue! filter becomes

clogged, obstructing fuel flow to carbu-

retor, replacement is required.

1. With engine cool, remove filter and plug fuel line sections,

2. Place new fuel filter in positionin fuel line with arrow pointingtowards carbu-

retor.

3. Be sure there are no fuel line leaks and clamps are properly positioned.

4. immediatelywipe up any spilled gaso- line.

MUFFLER

Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it could create a fire 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

first. Spark plug type and gap setting

are shown in the "PRODUCT SPECIFIC- ATIONS" section of this manual.

CLEANING IMPORTANT: For best performance,

keep mower housing free of built-grass and trash. Clean the underside of your

mower after each use.

_,CAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire

from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug.

• Clean the underside of your lawn mower by scraping to remove build-up of grass

and trash.

• Clean engine often to keep trash from accumulating. A clogged engine runs hotter and shortens engine life.

° Keep finished surfaces and wheels free

of all gasoline, oil, etc.

• We do not recommend using a garden hose to clean lawn mower unless the

electrical system, muffler, air filter and carburetor are covered to keep water out. Water in engine can result in short- ened engine life.

CLEAN UNDER DRIVE COVER

Clean under drive cover at least twice a season. Scrape underside of cover with

putty knife or similar tool to remove any build-up of trash or grass on underside of

drive cover.

A WARNING: Toavoid serious Injury, before performing any service and

adjustments:

1. Release controlbar and stop engine,

2. Make sure the blade and all moving parts have completely stopped.

3. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where itcannot come in contact with plug.

LAWN MOWER

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT See 'q'O ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT" in the Operation section ofthis manual.

REAR DEFLECTOR

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.

TO REMOVE DRIVE BELT

1. Remove drive cover.

2. Remove belt from gearcase pulley by

pushing down on arm and rolling belt off pulley.

3. Turn lawn mower on its side with air filter and carburetor down,

4. Remove blade and blade adapter.

PUSH

TO REPLACE DRIVE BELT

5. Place new drive belt on blade adapter,

6. Route the other end of the new drive belt through hole in housing,

7. Reinstall blade and blade adapter.

8, Return mower to updghtposition,

9. Push down on arm, install new belt on

gearcase pulley. Release arm slowly.

NOTE: Always use factory approved belt

to assure proper fit and long life.

10. Reinstall drive cover.

Crankshaft

Lockwasher

Blade !'_--

Blade

bolt Hardened elt

13 washer Trailin edge retainer

TO ADJUST HANDLE 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.

1. Remove upper handle and wire tie(s) securing cable(s) to lower handle,

2, Remove hairpin cotters from lower

handle bracket mounting pin.

3, Squeeze lower handle in to remove it

from mounting pins.

4. Turn lower handle over to raise or lower handle.

5. Squeeze lower handle in and position holes onto mounting pins on handle

bracket.

6, Reassemble upper handle and all parts

removed from lower handle.

SQUEEZE

TO ADJUST

Lower

ROTATE

ENGINE ENGINE SPEED

Your engine speed has been factor# set.

Do not attempt to increase engine speed or it may result in personal injury. !f you believe that engine is running too fast or

too slow, take your mower to a qualified service center for repair and adjustment.

CARBURETOR Your carburetor is not adjustable. If your

engine does not operate properly due to suspected carburetor problems, take your

lawn mower to a qualified service center for repair and/or adjustment. IMPORTANT. Never tamper with the engine governor, which is factory set for proper engine speed. Overspeeding the engine above the factory high speed setting can be dangerous, Ifyou think

the engine-governed high speed needs

adjusting, contact aqualified service

center, which has proper equipment and experience to make any necessary adjust-

ments.

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.

LAWN MOWER

When lawn mower isto be stored for a

period of time, clean it thoroughly, remove

all dirt, grease, leaves, etc. Store in a clean, dry area.

1. Clean entire lawn mower (See "CLEANING" in the Maintenance sec-

tion of this manual).

2. Lubricate as shown inthe Maintenance section of this manual.

3. Be sure that all nuts, bolts, screws, and pins are securely fastened. Inspect moving parts for damage, breakage

and wear. Replace if necessary.

4. Touch up all rusted or chipped paint surfaces; sand lightly before painting.

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