Poulan PR450N20S Owner Manual - Page 8

ASSEMBLY "FABRIC TOP" GRASS CATCHERS TO ASSEMBLE AND ATTACH GRASS CATCHER • Put grass catcher frame into grass bag with rigid part of bag on the bottom. • Slip vinyl bindings over frame. NOTE: If vinyl bindings are too stiff, hold them in warm water for a few minutes. If bag gets wet, let it dry before using. • Lift the rear door on the mower housing. • For HINGE BRACKET mounted catcher, place the grass catcher frame onto the formed tabs on the rear door hinge bracket. • For HANDLE BRACKET mounted catcher, place frame side hooks into slots in handle brackets. • For DOOR PIVOT PIN mounted catcher, place the grass catcher frame hooks onto the door pivot pins. • For DOOR SLOT mounted catcher, place the grass catcher frame hooks into the slots of the rear door. NOTE: The grass catcher is secured to the lawn mower housing when the rear door is lowered onto the grass catcher frame. Frame handle HINGE BRACKET MOUNTED Rear door Hinge bracket Grass catcher frame Formed tabs HANDLE BRACKET MOUNTED Handle bracket hooks Rear Grass door catcher handle Catcher frame side hook DOOR PIVOT PIN MOUNTED Pivot pins Rear Grass door catcher handle Vinyl bindings Frame opening CAUTION: Under normal usage, the catcher material is subject to deteriora- Catcher frame hook tion and wear and should, therefore, be checked frequently for replacement. Any replacement catcher should be checked to ensure compliance with original manufacturer's specifications. DOOR SLOT MOUNTED Rear door slots Grass catcher handle CAUTION: Do not run lawn mower without the discharge deflector (rear door), approved grass catcher, clipping deflector or mulcher plate in place. Never attempt to operate mower with the dis- charge deflector (rear door) removed or propped open. 8 Catcher frame hook MAINTENANCE LAWN MOWER Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance. TIRES • Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemicals which can harm rubber. • Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and other hazards that may cause tire damage. 5. Use block of wood between blade and lawn mower housing and tighten the blade bolt, turning clockwise. • The recommended tightening torque is 35-40 ft. lbs. IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is heat treated. If bolt needs replacing, replace only with approved bolt. Blade adapter Key Lockwasher Crankshaft keyway BLADE CARE For best results, blade must be kept sharp. Replace a bent or damaged blade. CAUTION: Use only a replacement blade approved by the manufacturer of your mower. Using a blade not approved by the manufacturer of your mower is hazardous, could damage your mower and void your warranty. TO REMOVE BLADE 1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug. 2. Turn lawn mower on its side. Make sure air filter and carburetor are up. 3. Use a wood block between blade and mower housing to prevent blade from turning when removing blade bolt. NOTE: Protect your hands with gloves and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth. 4. Remove blade bolt by turning counter- clockwise. 5. Remove blade and attaching hardware (bolt, lock washer, hardened washer). NOTE: Remove the blade adapter and check the key inside hub of blade adapter. The key must be in good condition to work properly. Replace adapter if damaged. TO REPLACE BLADE 1. Position the blade adapter on the engine crankshaft. Be sure key in adapter and crankshaft keyway are aligned. 2. Position blade on the blade adapter aligning the two (2) holes in the blade with the raised lugs on the adapter. 3. Be sure the trailing edge of blade (opposite sharp edge) is up toward the engine. 4. Install the blade bolt with the lock washer and hardened washer into blade adapter and crankshaft. Blade Blade Hardened bolt washer Trailing edge Belt Crankshaft retainer TO SHARPEN BLADE NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade - but if you do, be sure the blade is balanced. An unbalanced blade will cause eventual damage to lawn mower or engine. • The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower. • To check blade balance, drive a nail into a beam or wall. Leave about one inch of the straight nail exposed. Place center hole of blade over the head of the nail. If blade is balanced, it should remain in a horizontal position. If either end of the blade moves downward, sharpen the heavy end until the blade is balanced. ENGINE Read the maintenance section of your engine manual. LUBRICATION Change the oil after the first two hours of operation and every 25 hours thereafter or at least once a year if the mower is not used for 25 hours in one year. Refer to engine manual. NOTE (B&S W26 engines with Synthetic oil ONLY): An oil change is not required but if you desire to change the oil follow the procedure below. 17