Poulan PR17542STA owner manual To Start Engine See Fig, Mulching Mowing Tips

Page 13

OPERATION

season. See Storage Instructions for additional information.

• When mowing large areas, start by turning to the right so

Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel

 

 

that clippings will discharge away from shrubs, fences,

tank or permanent damage may occur.

 

 

driveways, etc. After one or two rounds, mow in the

 

 

 

 

opposite direction making left hand turns until finished

CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank

 

 

 

 

 

 

(See Fig. 8).

filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any

 

 

 

 

• If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to

spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or

 

 

 

 

reduce load and possible fire hazard from dried clip-

use gasoline near an open flame.

 

 

 

 

 

 

pings. Make first cut relatively high; the second to the

 

 

 

 

TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 6)

 

 

desired height.

When starting the engine for the first time or if the engine has

• Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet grass will plug

 

 

mower and leave undesirable clumps. Allow grass to dry

run out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move fuel

 

 

 

 

before mowing.

from the tank to the engine.

 

 

Always operate engine at full throttle when mowing

• Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake

 

 

to assure better mowing performance and proper dis-

pedal and set parking brake.

 

 

 

 

charge of material. Regulate ground speed by selecting

• Place gear shift lever in neutral (N) position.

 

 

 

 

a low enough gear to give the mower cutting perfor-

• Move attachment clutch to “DISENGAGED” position.

 

 

 

 

mance as well as the quality of cut desired.

• Move throttle control to fast position

 

 

• When operating attachments, select a ground speed

• Pull choke control out for a cold engine start attempt. For

 

 

that will suit the terrain and give best performance of the

a warm engine start attempt the choke control may not

 

 

 

 

attachment being used.

be needed.

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting

 

 

 

procedures below.

 

 

 

• Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to

 

 

 

“START” position and release key as soon as engine

 

 

 

starts. Do not run starter continuously for more than

 

 

 

fifteen seconds per minute. If the engine does not start

 

 

 

after several attempts, push choke control in, wait a few

 

 

 

minutes and try again. If engine still does not start, pull

 

 

 

 

 

FIG. 8

the choke control out and retry.

 

 

 

 

 

WARM WEATHER STARTING (50° F and above)

MULCHING MOWING TIPS

• When engine starts, slowly push choke control in until

IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP MOWER

the engine begins to run smoothly. If the engine starts

HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND TRASH.

to run roughly, pull the choke control out slightly for a few

CLEAN AFTER EACH USE.

seconds and then continue to push the control in slowly.

• The special mulching blade will recut the grass clippings

• The attachments and ground drive can now be used. If

 

 

many times and reduce them in size so that as they fall

the engine does not accept the load, restart the engine

 

 

onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass and not be

and allow it to warm up for one minute using the choke

 

 

noticed. Also, the mulched grass will biodegrade

as described above.

 

 

quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn. Always mulch

COLD WEATHER STARTING (50° F and below)

 

 

with your highest engine (blade) speed as this will

• When engine starts, slowly push choke control in until

 

 

provide the best recutting action of the blades.

the engine begins to run smoothly. Continue to push the

Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet. Wet grass tends

choke control in small steps allowing the engine to

 

 

to form clumps and interferes with the mulching action.

accept small changes in speed and load, until the choke

 

 

The best time to mow your lawn is the early afternoon.

control is fully in. If the engine starts to run roughly, pull

 

 

At this time the grass has dried and the newly cut area

the choke control out slightly for a few seconds and then

 

 

will not be exposed to the direct sun.

continue to push the control in slowly. This may require

For best results, adjust the mower cutting height so that

an engine warm-up period from several seconds to

 

 

the mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass

several minutes, depending on the temperature.

 

 

blades (See Fig. 9). For extremely heavy mulching,

• The attachments can be used during the engine warm-

 

 

reduce your width of cut on each pass and mow slowly.

up period and may require the choke control be pulled out

• Certain types of grass and grass conditions may require

slightly.

 

 

that an area be mulched a second time to completely

NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold

 

 

hide the clippings. When doing a second cut, mow

temperatures (below 32 F) the carburetor fuel mixture may

 

 

across or perpendicular to the first cut path.

need to be adjusted for best engine performance. See “TO

Change your cutting pattern from week to week. Mow

ADJUST CARBURETOR” in the Service and Adjustments

 

 

north to south one week then change to east to west the

section of this manual.

 

 

next week. This will help prevent matting and graining

MOWING TIPS

 

 

of the lawn.

 

 

 

• Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing

 

 

MAX 1/3

performance. See “TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING” in

 

 

the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

 

 

 

• The left hand side of mower should be used for trimming.

 

 

 

• Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area that

 

 

 

has been cut. Have the cut area to the right of the

 

 

 

machine. This will result in a more even distribution of

 

 

 

13

 

FIG. 9

clippings and more uniform cutting.

 

 

 

Image 13
Contents PR17542STA IV. Service Safety RulesGeneral Operation II. Slope OperationTable of Contents Customer Responsibilities Product SpecificationsSteering Wheel Unassembled HardwareSeat Keys Slope SheetTools Required for Assembly AssemblyHOW to SET UP Your Tractor To Remove Tractor from CartonInstall Seat See Fig To Convert to Bagging or Discharging To SET UP Your Mower for MulchingCheck Tire Pressure Check Deck LevelnessOperation Know Your Tractor HOW to USE Your Tractor Before Starting the Engine To Start Engine See Fig Mowing TipsMulching Mowing Tips Service Dates General Recommendations Lubrication ChartCustomer Responsibilities Before Each USETractor Engine Engine OIL Filter CleaningMuffler Spark PlugsTo Install Mower see FIG Service and AdjustmentsTo Remove Mower see FIG FRONT-TO-BACK Adjustment See Figs To Level Mower HousingTransaxle Gear Shift Lever Neutral Adjustment See Fig To Adjust Brake See FigTo Replace Mower Blade Drive Belt See Fig To Replace Motion Drive Belt See FigTo Start Engine with a Weak Battery See Fig To Adjust Steering Wheel AlignmentFront Wheel TOE-IN/CAMBER To Remove Wheel for Repairs See FigTo Remove Hood and Grill Assembly See Fig Replacing Battery See FigsTo Replace Headlight Bulb Interlocks and RelaysTo Adjust Choke Control See Fig To Adjust Throttle Control Cable See FigTo Adjust Carburetor Other StorageFuel System Engine OILProblem Cause Correction Troubleshooting PointsWhen operator leaves Tractor - Model Number PR17542STA SchematicElectrical KEY Part NO. NO. Description Chassis and Enclosures KEY Part Description Drive Repair Parts Steering Assembly 180656 Wheel Steering Seat Assembly Wheels and Tires DecalsEngine 170771 Control Th/ch Flag Mower Deck Repair Parts Mower Lift 159460 Wire Asm Inner/Sprg W/plunger LT Page Limited Warranty Policy Only Ride UP and Down Hill Not Across Hill Degrees MAX Fold Along This Dotted Line DegreeParts and Service

PR17542STA specifications

The Poulan PR17542STA is a versatile and powerful lawn mower designed for homeowners seeking efficiency and reliability in their lawn care routine. This self-propelled gas lawn mower features a robust 175cc engine, delivering ample power to tackle various grass types and sizes. Its 21-inch cutting deck is perfect for navigating through tight spaces while providing a broad cutting path, making lawn maintenance both quick and efficient.

One of the standout features of the PR17542STA is its self-propulsion system. The adjustable drive speed allows users to set the pace that best suits their comfort level and working conditions, making it ideal for a range of user abilities. The rear-wheel drive provides excellent traction, particularly on uneven terrain or inclined yards.

The mower comes equipped with a three-in-one cutting system, which offers the flexibility of mulching, side discharge, or bagging grass clippings. This adaptability allows users to choose the most suitable method for their lawn’s needs, promoting optimal lawn health and appearance. Additionally, the 18-gallon grass bag minimizes the frequency of emptying, allowing for uninterrupted mowing sessions.

With an emphasis on user comfort and convenience, the PR17542STA features an ergonomic handle that can be easily adjusted to suit the height of the user. The foldable design of the handle allows for compact storage, making it easy to fit in tight spaces or garages.

Durability is a key characteristic of this mower, as it is constructed with high-quality materials designed to withstand regular use. The rugged wheels and deck ensure reliable performance across various ground conditions. Furthermore, Poulan’s commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in the accessible service and support options available for owners of the PR17542STA.

In terms of maintenance, the easy-access oil fill and drain ports simplify routine servicing, promoting a longer lifespan for the mower. The Poulan PR17542STA is not just a tool; it is an essential partner in maintaining a beautiful lawn, marrying performance with user-centric features to meet the demands of modern lawn care. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a first-time homeowner, this mower is designed to deliver exceptional results with every mow.