Height adjuster lever LEVER BACKWARD TO LOWER MOWER LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER 8 TO CONVERT MOWER Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging or discharging: REAR BAGGING • Lift rear door of the lawn mower and place the grass catcher frame hooks onto the grass bag brackets. • To convert to mulching or discharging operation, remove grass catcher and close rear door. - door bag bracket Grass catcher handle Full bac catcher indicator frame hook window NOTE: Rear door will remain open until operator presence control bar is held down to the handle. ,ACAUTION: Do NOT force rear door to close. Serious damage to your mower could result. I\ \ Unlock latch Open mulcher door Discharge deflector \ I I / SIDE DISCHARGING • Rear door must be closed. • Open mulcher door and install discharge deflector under door as shown. • Mower is now ready for discharging operation. • To convert to mulching or bagging operation, discharge deflector must be removed and mulcher door must be closed and locked. SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER WHEN CONVERTING YOUR LAWN MOWER FOR MULCHING 1. Rear door closed. 2. Mulcher door closed and locked. FOR REAR BAGGING 1. Grass catcher installed. 2. Mulcher door closed and locked. FOR SIDE DISCHARGING 1. Rear door closed. 2. Discharge deflector installed. ACAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower without rear door closed or approved grass catcher in place. Never attempt to operate the lawn mower with the rear door removed or propped open. 9 TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER ADD GASOLINE Empty the grass catcher when clippings are visible in the full bag indicator window. 1. Lift up on grass catcher using the frame handle. 2. Remove grass catcher with clippings from under lawn mower handle. 3. Empty clippings from bag using both frame handle and bag handle. NOTE: Do not drag the bag when emptying; it will cause unnecessary wear. Grass catcher frame Bag handle BEFORE STARTING ENGINE ADD OIL Your lawnmower is shipped without 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 lawnmower 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: Initial oi! fil! requires only 18 oz. due to residual oil in engine from the manufacturers 100% quality testing. When changing oil you may need 20 oz. 4. Insert and tighten dipstick. IMPORTANT: • Check oil level before each use. Add oil if needed. Fill to 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 Maintenance section of this manual. • 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 freshness. ii, CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame. ,A CAUTION: 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. 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 products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur. Engine oil cap Gasoline filler cap TO STOP ENGINE • To stop engine, release operator presence control bar. TO START ENGINE NOTE: Due to protective coatings on the 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 equipped with 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 not allow starter rope to snap back. 10 MOWING TIPS A CAUTION: Do not use de-thatcher blade attachments on your mower. Such attachments are hazardous, wil! damage your mower and could void your warranty. • Under certain conditions, such as very tall grass, it may be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloading the engine and leaving clumps of grass clippings. It may also be necessary to reduce ground speed and/or run the lawn mower over the area a second time. • For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the width of cut by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly. • For better grass bagging and most ...