Bolens 544 manual Operating Your Lawn Mower

SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER

WARNING: Read, understand, and follow all instructions and warnings on the machine and in this manual before operating.

NOTE: For shipping purposes your mower is set with the wheels in a low cutting height position. For best results, raise the cutting position until it is determined which height is best for your lawn. See the Adjustment Section for details.

Gas & Oil Fill-Up

•Check oil level and add oil if necessary. Follow relevant instructions in the engine manual for this.

•Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in the engine manual.

WARNING: Use extreme care when handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never fuel the machine indoors or while the engine is hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.

Before Starting Mower

•Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain the metal cap on the end of the spark plug wire (inside the rubber boot) is fastened securely over the metal tip on the spark plug.

Throttle Speed

Your lawn mower engine is equipped with a constant speed throttle, which is set at full throttle for best performance.

Starting Engine

WARNING: Be sure no one other than the operator is standing near the lawn mower while starting engine or operating mower.

WARNING: Never run engine indoors or in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.

WARNING: Keep hands, feet, hair and loose clothing away from any moving parts on engine and lawn mower.

•Push primer three times. Wait about two seconds between each push. In cold weather around 55o F or below, prime five times. Do not prime to restart a warm engine after a short shutdown.

•Standing behind the mower, depress the blade control handle and hold it against the upper handle.

•Grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly until engine reaches the start of compression cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this point). Let the rope rewind slowly. Pull rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. Keeping a firm grip on the starter handle, let the rope rewind slowly.

Stopping Engine

•Release blade control handle to stop the engine and the blade.

•Disconnect spark plug wire and move away from spark plug to prevent accidental starting.

Using Your Lawn Mower

WARNING: Never operate the mower unless the hooks on the grasscatcher are seated in the slots on the handle bracket assemblies, and the rear discharge door rests firmly against the top of the grasscatcher.

•You can use your mower as a mulching mower or a rear bagger.

•Do not operate the mower without the rear mulching baffle or the grasscatcher bag properly installed.

•Be sure that the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or other objects which could damage lawn mower or engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator and others.

•For best results, do not cut wet grass. It may stick to the underside of the mower, preventing proper discharge of grass clippings, and could cause you to slip and fall. New grass or thick grass may require a narrower cut.

•For a healthy lawn, always cut off one-third or less of the total length of the grass. Lawn should be trimmed in fall as long as there is growth.

WARNING: If the mower strikes a foreign object, stop the engine. Remove spark plug wire from the spark plug and thoroughly inspect for any damage. Repair the damage promptly before restarting and operating the mower.

Mulching

For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass. New or thick grass may require a narrower cut. If the grass has grown in excess of 4”, mulching is not recommended. Mow using the side discharge to reduce the grass height to 3.25” maximum before mulching.

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