Poulan LO45N22SA, LO45N21CA Owner’s Manual
OPERATOR'S MANUAL
DELUXE PUSH ROTARY
LAWN MOWER
• Assembly
• Operation
• Maintenance
• Service and Adjustments
• Storage
• Troubleshooting
172782 Rev. 3 05.13.03 BY Printed in U.S.A.
Safety Rules .......................................... 2-3
Assembly ............................................... 4-8
Operation ............................................. 9-15
Maintenance ...................................... 16-18
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.
_i,Look for this symbol to point out
important safety precautions. It means
CAUTION!H BECOME ALERT!H
YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED.
_,WARNING: In order to prevent acci-
dental starting when setting up,
transporting, adjusting or making repairs,
always disconnect spark plug wire and
_:[ace wire where it cannot contact plug.
WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its
constituents, and certain vehicle compo-
nents contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
_i,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 or other reproductive harm. Wash
hands after handling.
_, CAUTION: Muffler and other engine
parts become 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 on the 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.
Service and Adjustments ................... 18-20
Storage .............................................. 20-21
Troubleshooting ................................. 22-23
• Clear the area of objects such as rocks,
toys, wire, bones, sticks, etc., which could
be picked up and thrown by the blade.
• Be sure the area is clear of other people
before mowing. Stop machine if anyone
enters the area.
• Do not operate the mower when bare-
foot or wearing open sandals. Always
wear substantial foot wear.
• Do not pull mower backwards unless
absolutely necessary. Always look down
and behind before and while moving
backwards.
• Do not operate the mower without
proper guards, plates, grass catcher or
other safety protective devices in place.
• See manufacturer's instructions for
proper operation and installation of
accessories. Only use accessories ap-
proved by the manufacturer.
• Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel
drives, walks, or roads.
• Stop the engine (motor) whenever you
leave the equipment, before cleaning the
mower or unclogging the chute.
• Shut the engine (motor) off and wait until
the blade comes to complete stop before
removing grass catcher.
• Mow only in daylight or good artificial
light.
• Do not operate the machine while under
the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Never operate machine in wet grass. Al-
ways be sure of your footing: keep a firm
hold on the handle and walk; never run.
• Disengage the self-propelled mechanism
or drive clutch on mowers so equipped
before starting the engine (motor).
• 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.
2
I1. 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:
• Mow across the face of slopes: never
up and down. Exercise extreme caution
when changing direction on slopes.
• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree
limbs, etc.
• Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Tall
grass can hide obstacles.
DO NOT:
• Do not 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 foot-
ing could cause slipping.
III. 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 ma-
chine.
• Use extra care when approaching blind
corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects
that may obscure vision.
IV. SERVICE
• 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.
• Never run machine inside a closed area.
• Never make adjustments or repairs with
the engine (motor) running. Disconnectthe
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 freeof grass, leaves, orother
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 adjust-
ments while the engine (motor) 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.
• 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.
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.
• 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.
• Your new lawn mower has been assembled at the factory with the exception 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.
• 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
• Remove all loose parts from carton.
• 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. Ifthe 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
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 & STRATTON ENGINES
(BRIGGS&STRATrONJ [BRIGGS&STRAI"rON]
LEFT
HAND
SIDE
BACK or REAR
(Operating Position)
_CAUTION: 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 incontact with spark plug.
RIGHT
HAND TECUMSEH HONDA
SIDE ENGINES ENGINES
QIIA IllHI,
x-zO
/
HOWTO SET UPYOUR LAWN
MOWER
UNFOLD HANDLE
IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so
as not to pinch or damage control cables.
2 POSITION /"ADJUSTABLE" HANDLES
• Raise handles until lower handle section
locks into place in operating position.
4
Operator
control bar
UP
LIFT
UF
Mowing
position
Lower handle
3 POSITION "EURO" / "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.
3 POSITION "EURO"
Handle
adjustment
Knob Bolt
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 "QUICK"
Handle pin
SQU
Handle
adj
bracket \
\
\\
ALL HANDLES
• Raise upper handle section into place on
lower handle, remove protective padding
and tighten both handle knobs.
• Remove handle padding holding opera-
tor presence 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.
Knob
INSTALL REAR WHEELS
(HIGH WHEEL MOWERS ONLY)
Some high wheel models require washers
which will be provided ina parts bag. Ifprovid-
ed, install washers on the axle first as shown.
• Install one (1) rear wheel on the axle of
rear wheel adjuster.
• Install 3/8-16 Iocknut and tighten securely.
• Repeat procedure for other rear wheel.
Wheel Axle
assembly
Handle
bracket
Wave
Washers
Flanged
5 Iocknut
ASSEMBLE GRASS CATCHER
(REAR DISCHARGE MOWERS ONLY)
IMPORTANT: Ifyour 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
• Put grass catcher frame into grass bag
with rigid part of bag on the bottom.
• 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.
• Lift the rear door on the mower housing.
• For HINGE BRACKET mounted catcher,
place the grass catcher frame onto the
formed tabs on the rear door hinge
bracket.
• For HANDLE BRACKET mounted
catcher, place frame side hooks into
slots in handle brackets.
• For DOOR PIVOT PIN mounted catcher,
place the grass catcher frame hooks
onto the door pivot pins.
• 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.
HINGE BRACKET MOUNTED
- Rear door
,Hinge bracket
G rass
catcher
frame
Formed tabs
HANDLE BRACKET MOUNTED
Handle Rear Grass
oor catcher
handle
Catcher frame side hook
DOOR PIVOT PIN MOUNTED
Pivot " Rear Grass
catcher
_- handle
Catcher frame
\
Catcher frame hook
DOOR SLOT MOUNTED
Rear door slots
Grass
catcher
handle
Rigid
' bottom
Catcher frame hook
6
"HARDTOP"GRASS CATCHER
ASSEMBLE FRAME AND BAG
• Thread upper tubular frame into hem of
bag as shown. Be sure angled ends of
frame point downwards.
• Slip lower frame into tubular upper frame
as shown.
• Slip vinyl bindings over frame.
Start here
Upper tubular frame
• Install two (2) blunt pointed screws in
front holes and tighten securely.
Sharp pointed screws
(Rear and side holes)
Blunt pointed screws
Catcher bag and frame
Catcher top
(Front holes)
TO ATTACH HARD TOP CATCHER
• Open the rear door on mower housing.
• Place frame side hooks into slots in
handle brackets.
• Release rear door, allowing it to nest into
top of catcher.
Upper tubular
frame
Vinyl bindings
Lower frame
ASSEMBLE TOP TO FRAME AND BAG
NOTE: For ease of assembly, place
catcher top upside down on work surface.
• Nest bag and frame assembly into
catcher top.
• Install two (2) sharp pointed screws into
rear holes first and tighten securely.
• Pull catcher bag forward on frame to
remove slack.
• Install two (2) remaining sharp pointed
screws in side holes and tighten se-
curely.
• Align lower frame and catcher top front
holes.
_ Rear door Handle bracket
slots
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.
_iI,CAUTION: 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.
7
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
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.
_CAUTION: 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
Boot
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:
• Connect battery charger connector
(male) to harness connector (female).
UNITS WITH DECK-MOUNTED BATTERY
or TRIMPLATE-MOUNTED KEY SWITCH:
• Disconnect engine connector (male)
from battery connector (female).
• Connect battery charger connector
(male) to battery connector (female).
ALL UNITS:
• Plug battery charger into 110 volt A.C.
outlet.
• Leave battery charger connected for 24
hours before starting your engine for the
first time.
UNITS WITH HANDLE-MOUNTED KEY
SWITCH ONLY:
• 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:
• 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.
\
\
\
Battery connector (Female) (Male)
Charger connector Battery connector
Engine
8 connector (mate)
Engine \\ Harness
connector \ connector
\
Charger
connector (male)
DECK-MOUNTED BATTERY
Engine
connector
(Mate)
Battery
charger
._ _t charge y
connector
TRIMPLATE-MOUNTED KEY SWITCH
(female)
Battery charger
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