Poulan PR450N20S Owner Manual - Page 3

TROUBLESHOOTING See appropriate section in manual unless directed to an authorized Service Center. PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Does not start 1. Dirty air filter. 2. Out of fuel. 3. Stale fuel. 4. Water in fuel. 5. Spark plug wire is disconnected. 6. Bad spark plug. 7. Loose blade or broken blade adapter. 8. Control bar in released position. 9. Control bar defective. 10. Fuel valve lever (if so equipped) in OFF position. 11. Weak battery (if equipped). 12. Disconnected battery connector (if equipped). 13. Blown fuse (if equipped). 1. Clean/replace air filter. 2. Fill fuel tank. 3. Drain fuel tank and refill tank with fresh, clean gasoline. 4. Drain fuel tank and refill tank with fresh, clean gasoline. 5. Connect wire to plug. 6. Replace spark plug. 7. Tighten blade bolt or replace blade adapter. 8. Depress control bar to handle. 9. Replace control bar. 10. Turn fuel valve lever to the ON position. 11. Charge battery. 12. Connect battery to engine. 13. Replace fuse. Loss of power 1. Rear of lawn mower housing or cutting blade dragging in heavy grass. 2. Cutting too much grass. 3. Dirty air filter. 4. Buildup of grass, leaves, and trash under mower. 5. Too much oil in engine. 6. Walking speed too fast. 1. Raise cutting height. 2. Raise cutting height. 3. Clean/replace air filter. 4. Clean underside of mower housing. 5. Check oil level. 6. Cut at slower walking speed. Poor cut - uneven 1. Worn, bent or loose blade. 2. Wheel heights uneven. 3. Buildup of grass, leaves and trash under mower. 1. Replace blade. Tighten blade bolt. 2. Set all wheels at same height. 3. Clean underside of mower housing. Excessive vibration 1. Worn, bent or loose blade. 2. Bent engine crankshaft. 1. Replace blade. Tighten blade bolt. 2. Contact a qualified service center. Starter rope hard to pull 1. Engine flywheel brake is on 1. Depress control bar to when control bar is released. upper handle before pulling starter rope. 2. Bent engine crankshaft. 2. Contact a qualified service center. 3. Blade adapter broken. 3. Replace blade adapter. 4. Blade dragging in grass. 4. Move lawn mower to cut grass or to hard surface. 22 SAFETY RULES • Clear the area of objects such as rocks, • When loading or unloading this ma- toys, wire, bones, sticks, etc., which chine, do not exceed the maximum could be picked up and thrown by recommended operation angle of 15°. blade. Stay behind the handle when the • Wear proper Personal Protective Equip- engine (motor) is running. ment (PPE) while operating this ma- • Be sure the area is clear of other people chine, including (at a minimum) sturdy before mowing. Stop machine if anyone footwear, eye protection, and hearing enters the area. protection. Do not mow in shorts or • Do not operate machine barefooted or open toed footwear. while wearing sandals. Always wear Always let someone know you are outside substantial footwear with good ankle mowing. support while mowing. • Do not pull mower backwards unless absolutely necessary. Always look down and behind before and while moving backwards. • Never direct discharged material toward anyone. Avoid discharging material III. SLOPE OPERATION Slopes are a major factor related to slip & fall accidents, which can result in severe injury. All slopes require extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it. against a wall or obstruction. Material DO: may richochet back toward the opera- • Mow across the face of slopes: never tor. Stop blade when crossing gravel up and down. Exercise extreme caution surfaces. when changing direction on slopes. • Do not operate the mower without • Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree proper guards, plates, grass catcher or limbs, etc. other safety protective devices in place. • Watch for holes, ruts, bumps or hidden • See manufacturer's instructions for objects. Uneven terrain could cause a proper operation and installation of slip and fall accident. Tall grass can hide accessories. Only use accessories ap- obstacles. proved by the manufacturer. • Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads. • Never leave a running machine unat- tended. • Stop the engine (motor) and wait until the blade comes to a complete stop before cleaning the machine, removing DO NOT: • Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments. You could lose your footing or balance. • Do not mow on wet grass or excessively steep slopes. Poor footing could cause a slip and fall accident. the grass catcher, or unclogging the discharge chute. IV. SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE • Mow only in daylight or good artificial To avoid personal injury or property dam- light. age, use extreme care in handling gaso- • Do not operate the machine while under line. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the influence of alcohol or drugs. the vapors are explosive. • Never operate machine in wet grass. • Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes Always be sure of your footing: keep a and other sources of ignition. firm hold on the handle; walk, never run. • Use only an approved container. • Disengage the drive system, if so • Never remove gas cap or add fuel with equipped, before starting the engine (mo- the engine running. tor). • Allow engine to cool before refueling. • If the equipment should start to vibrate • Never refuel the machine indoors. abnormally, stop the engine (motor) and • Never store the machine or fuel contain- check immediately for the cause. Vibra- er where there is an open flame, spark tion is generally a warning of trouble. or pilot light such as a water heater or • Always wear eye protection when oper- on other appliances. ating machine. • Never fill containers inside a vehicle, on • Use extra care when approaching blind a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects Always place containers on the ground that may obscure vision. away from your vehicle before filling. 3