Poulan PO500N22SH User Manual - Page 4

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. If the 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 discharge 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. 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 manufacturer and type or brand name of the engine. BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINES FRONT LEFT HAND SIDE RIGHT HAND SIDE TECUMSEH ENGINES HONDA ENGINES ® BACK or REAR (Operating Position) ASSEMBLY 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 Products Safety Commission. CAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug. HOW TO SET UP YOUR 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 3 POSITION "EZ" The handle on your lawn mower has three (3) height positions - adjust to height that suits you. • Remove knob and carriage bolt on one side of the lower handle. • While holding handle assembly, remove knob and carriage bolt from opposite side, align hole in handle with desired hole in handle bracket and reassemble bolt and knob and tighten securely. • Align opposite side of handle with same positioning hole and secure with bolt and knob. High Med. Bolt Low Handle adjustment bracket Knob REAR DEFLECTOR (IF EQUIPPED) 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. ENGINE CARBURETOR The carburetor has been preset at the factory and adjustment should not be necessary. However, minor adjustment may be required to compensate for differences in fuel, temperature, altitude or load. • The air filter must be assembled to the carburetor when running engine. • Best carburetor adjustment is obtained when fuel tank is 1/4 full. • In order for the engine to run, the opera- tor presence control bar must be held in the operating position. Therefore, and assistant will be required to hold the control bar in the operating position when making final adjustment to the carburetor. See the ADJUSTMENT section of your engine manual for further instructions. 3 POSITION "QUICK" The handle on your lawn mower has three (3) height positions - adjust to height that suits you. • 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. High Medium Handle pin Handle adjustment bracket SQUEEZE Low ENGINE SPEED The engine speed has been factory set. Do not attempt to increase engine speed as it may result in personal injury. If you believe the engine is running too fast or too slow, take your lawn mower to an authorized engine service center for repair and adjustment. THROTTLE CONTROL If it becomes necessary to adjust or replace the throttle control, see the ADJUSTMENT section of your engine manual. 17