Poulan PR550Y22R3 Owner Manual - Page 14

OPERATION "MULTI-CUT" MOWERS Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging or discharging: REAR BAGGING • Open rear door and remove mulcher plate or plug (if equipped). Store mulcher plate or plug in a safe place. • You can now install grass catcher. • To convert to mulching or discharging operation, install mulcher plate or plug (if equipped) into rear discharge opening of mower, making sure all tabs are seated properly. Close rear door. Rear door Grass bag bracket Grass catcher handle SIDE DISCHARGING • Mulcher plate or plug (if equipped) must be installed into rear discharge opening of mower. Rear door must be closed. • Open mulcher door and install discharge deflector under door as shown. • Mower is now ready for discharging operation. • To convert to mulching or bagging operation, discharge deflector must be removed and mulcher door must be closed and locked. Unlock latch (if equipped) Grass catcher frame hook Full bag indicator window (if equipped) Open mulcher door Discharge deflector "REAR DOOR PROP" (IF EQUIPPED) (22PLUS MODELS ONLY) NOTE: Rear door will remain open until operator presence control bar is held down to the handle. CAUTION: Do NOT force rear door to close. Serious damage to your mower could result. MAINTENANCE LAWN MOWER Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance. Crankshaft keyway 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. Key Blade adapter Belt retainer Trailing edge 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 hard- ware (bolt, lock washer and hardened washer). 6. Remove debris shield (if equipped). 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. Debris shield (if equipped) Blade Hardened washer Lockwasher Blade bolt TO REPLACE BLADE 1. Position the blade adapter on the engine crankshaft. Be sure key in adapter and crankshaft keyway are aligned; and that the drive belt is inside the tabs of the belt retainer (if equipped). 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. 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. 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. 14 23