Poulan PR450N20S Owner Manual - Page 11

OPERATION BEFORE STARTING ENGINE Read the engine manual packed with your mower. FILL ENGINE WITH OIL Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in the engine. • Be sure mower is level and area around oil fill is clean. • Remove engine oil filler plug (oil fill cap/ dipstick on models so equipped). • Slowly add oil. For type and grade of oil to use, see "ENGINE" in the Mainte- Operator presence control bar nance section of this manual. • Fill to the top of slot in filler hole (to "FULL" line on dipstick on models so equipped). Do not overfill. • Replace plug (oil fill cap/dipstick on models so equipped) and tighten. • Check oil level before each use. Add oil Recoil starter handle as needed. • To change oil, see Maintenance section of this manual. FILL GASOLINE TANK • Fill gasoline tank with fresh, clean, unleaded gasoline. DO NOT USE PREMIUM GASOLINE. BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERFILL TANK. WARNING: 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. Drain the fuel tank, start the engine and let it run until fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next TO START ENGINE CAUTION: The mower blade rotates whenever the engine is running. 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. • Place engine START/STOP switch (if equipped) in the ON position. • Move engine speed control to FAST po- sition (or to CHOKE/START position on models equipped with choke feature). • If your mower has a primer, to start a cold engine, push primer as many times as instructed in the engine manual packed with your mower. Use a firm push. This step is not usually neces- season. See Storage Instructions for sary when starting an engine which has additional information. Never use engine already run for a few minutes. or carburetor cleaner products in fuel tank or permanent damage may occur. TO STOP ENGINE • To stop engine, release operator pres- ence control bar and/or place engine • Hold operator presence control bar down against handle. MODELS WITH RECOIL STARTER • Pull starter handle quickly. Do not allow starter rope to snap back. MODELS WITH ELECTRIC STARTER START/STOP switch (if equipped) in the • Push the engine start button (or turn the OFF position. key on models so equipped). NOTE: For engines with a primer, it may IMPORTANT: Do not crank engine more be necessary to repeat priming steps than five continous seconds each time you in cooler weather. In warmer weather, try to start. Wait 5 to 10 seconds between overpriming may cause flooding and each attempt. engine will not start. If you do flood engine, wait a few minutes before attempting to start and DO NOT repeat ALL MODELS • For engines equipped with choke, slowly move engine speed control lever priming steps. 14 to FAST after engine starts. OPERATION FOR MULCHING MOWERS ONLY Most mulching mowers are shipped ready to be used as a mulcher. "REAR DISCHARGE ONLY" MOWERS Some models have a seperate mulcher plug, other models have the mulcher plug built into the rear door. To convert to bagging or discharging, the plate or plug (if so equipped) must be removed from the discharge opening of the lawn mower. • Open rear door and remove mulcher plate or plug (if so equipped). Store mulcher plate or plug in a safe place. • You can now install grass catcher or optional clipping deflector accessory. • To return to mulching operation, install mulcher plate or plug into discharge opening of mower. CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower without mulcher plate/plug in place or approved clipping deflector or grass catcher in place. Never attempt to operate the lawn mower with the rear door removed or propped open. MULCHER "PLATE": Slots MULCHER PLUG BUILT INTO REAR DOOR "SIDE DISCHARGE ONLY" MOWERS MULCHER PLATE TYPE To convert to bagging or discharging, mulcher plate must be removed from underside of lawn mower. • Remove the four (4) screws and lock nuts securing the mulcher plate to the mower. • Store mulcher plate and hardware in a safe place. • Mower can now be used for side discharging or optional grass catcher accessory can be attached. • To return to mulching operation, simply reinstall mulcher plate and tighten hardware securely. MULCHER "PLUG": Screw and Mulcher lock nut plate tabs Mulcher plug 11 Mulcher plate