This owner's guide covers various models of mowers. Follow only those instructions which pertain to your unit.
IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil in the engine. Be certain to service engine with gasoline and oil before operating your mower.
NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower is observed from the operating position.
HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN MOWER
1.Remove any packing material which may be between the upper and lower handles for shipping purposes.
2.Move the height adjustment lever located near the left rear wheel to the highest position.
3.Pull up and back on the upper handle to raise the handle into the operating position. You may have to spread the handle a little at an intermediate position and then lift the handle all the way up to its final position. Make certain the lower handle is seated securely into the handle mounting brackets.
4.Tighten the hand knobs on each side of the handle. Make sure that the carriage bolts are seated properly into the handle.
NOTE: FOR 230 SERIES UNITS ONLY:
Your mower is shipped with the handle in the higher height position. If you wish to lower the height of the handle, refer to the Adjustment Section at this time.
ALL UNITS
5.Remove the hairpin clips from the outer hole in the weld pins on the handle mounting brackets.
6.Using a pair of pliers, squeeze one leg of the lower handle against the handle mounting bracket. Insert the hairpin clip into the inner hole on the weld pin. Repeat on other side. See Figure 4.
7.The rope guide is attached to the right side of the upper handle. Loosen the wing nut which secures the rope guide. See Figure 4.
8.With the spark plug wire disconnected and grounded, hold the blade control handle against the upper handle, and pull the starter rope out of the engine.
9.Slip the starter rope into the rope guide. Tighten the wing nut. See Figure 4.
CHUTE DEFLECTOR
The chute deflector on your mower is held in an upright position by a retainer for shipping purposes only.
Retainer 
Chute
Deflector
Figure 5
1.To remove this retainer, move the
2.Remove the retainer and carefully lower the chute into operating position, keeping fingers out of the way. See Figure 5.
WARNING: The shipping chute retainer must be removed and discarded before operating the mower.
MULCHING BAFFLE (OPTIONAL)
A mulching kit is available for the mowers shown in this manual. To obtain a mulching kit, refer to page 4. If your mower is equipped with a mulching baffle, install as follows.
Chute
Deflector
Hooks
Mulching |
|
|
Baffle |
| Notches |
| Figure 6 | |
8