Poulan PO500N22SH User Manual - Page 3

STORAGE 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. CAUTION: Never store the lawn mower with gasoline in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark. Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure. LAWN MOWER When lawn mower is to be stored for a period of time, clean it thoroughly, remove all dirt, grease, leaves, etc. Store in a clean, dry area. • Clean entire lawn mower (See "CLEAN- ING" in the Maintenance section of this manual). • Lubricate as shown in the Maintenance section of this manual. • Be sure that all nuts, bolts, screws, and pins are securely fastened. Inspect moving parts for damage, breakage and wear. Replace if necessary. • Touch up all rusted or chipped paint surfaces; sand lightly before painting. HANDLE Your handle may be folded for storage as shown. • Squeeze the bottom ends of lower handle towards each other until handle clears the handle brackets and swing handles forward over mower. • Loosen upper handle mounting hardware enough to allow upper handle to be folded back. IMPORTANT: When folding handles for storage or transportation, be sure to fold handles as shown or you may damage the control cables. Operator presence control bar MOWING POSITION FOLD FORWARD FOR STORAGE Upper handle Handle knob Lower handle 2 POSITION / "ADJUSTABLE" HANDLES When setting you handles up from the storage position, the lower handle will automatically lock into mowing position. 3 POSITION HANDLES When setting up your handle from the storage position, the lower handle will require manually locking into the mowing position. 3 POSITION "EZ" Knob Bolt Handle adjustment bracket SQUEEZE TO FOLD Lower handle 3 POSITION "QUICK" SQUEEZE Handle pin Handle adjustment bracket 18 • Remove obstacles (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 footing 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 mower. • 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. • Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition. • Use only an approved container. • Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow engine to cool before refueling. • Never refuel the machine indoors. • Never store the machine or fuel container where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light such as a water heater or on other appliances. • Never fill containers inside a vehicle, on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle before filling. • Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment with a portable container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle. • Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or container opening at all times until fueling is complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open device. • If fuel is spilled on clothing, change clothing immediately. • Never overfill fuel tank. Replace gas cap and tighten securely. V. GENERAL SERVICE • Never run 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 equipment 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. • 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 setting or overspeed the engine. • Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as necessary. CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a new Lawn Mower. It has been designed, engi- neered and manufactured to give you the best possible dependability and performance. 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