Engine, Other, III. Children, General Service

ENGINE

FUEL SYSTEM

IMPORTANT: It is important to prevent gum deposits from forming in essential fuel system parts such as carburetor, fuel ﬁ lter, fuel hose, or tank during storage. Alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which leads to separa- tion and formation of acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage.

•Drain the fuel tank.

•Start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty.

•Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.

•Use fresh fuel next season.

NOTE: Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable al- ternative in minimizing the formation of fuel gum deposits during storage. Add stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank or storage container. Always follow the mix ratio found on stabilizer container. Run engine at least 10 minutes after adding stabilizer to allow the stabilizer to reach the carburetor. Do not drain the gas tank and carburetor if using fuel stabilizer.

ENGINE OIL

Drain oil (with engine warm) and replace with clean oil. (See “ENGINE” in the Main- tenance section of this manual).

CYLINDER

•Remove spark plug.

•Pour one ounce (29 ml) of oil through spark plug hole into cylinder.

•Pull starter handle slowly to distribute oil.

•Replace with new spark plug.

BATTERY (IF EQUIPPED) Disconnect the battery from the engine connector and charge battery 48 hours.

OTHER

•Do not store gasoline from one season to another.

•Replace your gasoline can if your can starts to rust. Rust and/or dirt in your gasoline will cause problems.

•If possible, store your unit indoors and cover it to protect it from dust and dirt.

•Cover your unit with a suitable protective cover that does not retain moisture. Do not use plastic. Plastic cannot breathe, which allows condensation to form and will cause your unit to rust.

IMPORTANT: Never cover mower while engine and exhaust areas are still warm.

CAUTION: Never store the lawn mower with gasoline in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open ﬂame or spark. Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.

•Remove obstacles (rocks, tree limbs, etc.)

•Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

DO NOT:

•Do not trim near drop-offs, ditches or embankments. The operator could lose footing or balance.

•Do not trim excessively steep slopes.

•Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced foot- ing could cause slipping.

III. CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the machine and the mowing activity. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.

•Keep children out of the trimming area and under the watchful care of another responsible adult.

•Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area.

•Before and while walking backwards, look behind and down for small children.

•Never allow children to operate the mower.

•Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.

IV. SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE

Use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely ﬂammable and the vapors are explosive.

away from your vehicle before ﬁlling.

•Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel such equip- ment with a portable container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.

•Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or container opening at all times until fueling is complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open device.

•If fuel is spilled on clothing, change clothing immediately.

•Never overﬁ ll fuel tank. Replace gas cap and tighten securely.

V. GENERAL SERVICE

•	Never run machine inside a closed area.
•	Never make adjustments or repairs with
	the engine (motor) running. Disconnect the
	spark plug wire, and keep the wire away
	from the plug to prevent accidental starting.
• Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade
	attachment bolts, tight and keep equip-
	ment in good condition.
• Never tamper with safety devices. Check
	their proper operation regularly.
• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other
	debris build-up. Clean oil or fuel spillage.
	Allow machine to cool before storing.
•	Stop and inspect the equipment if you
	strike an object. Repair, if necessary,
	before restarting.
•	Never attempt to make wheel height

TROUBLESHOOTING - See appropriate section in manual unless directed to an authorized Service Center.

PROBLEM		CAUSE	CORRECTION
Does not start	1.	Dirty air ﬁlter.	1.	Clean/replace air ﬁlter.
	2.	Out of fuel.	2.	Fill fuel tank.
	3.	Stale fuel.	3.	Drain fuel tank and reﬁll tank
				with fresh, clean gasoline.
	4.	Water in fuel.	4.	Drain fuel tank and reﬁll tank
				with fresh, clean gasoline.
	5.	Spark plug wire is	5.	Connect wire to plug.
		disconnected.

•Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.

•Use only an approved container.

•Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow engine to cool before refueling.

•Never refuel the machine indoors.

•Never store the machine or fuel contain- er where there is an open ﬂame, spark or pilot light such as a water heater or on other appliances.

•Never ﬁll containers inside a vehicle, on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground

	adjustments while the engine is running.
• Grass catcher components are subject to
	wear, damage, and deterioration, which
	could expose moving parts or allow objects
	tobethrown.Frequentlycheckcomponents
	and replace with manufacturer’s recom-
	mended parts, when necessary.
•	Mower blades are sharp and can cut.
	Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves, and
	use extra caution when servicing them.
•	Do not change the engine governor set-
	ting or overspeed the engine.
• Maintain or replace safety and instruc-
	tion labels, as necessary.

6.	Bad spark plug.	6.	Replace spark plug.
7.	Loose blade or broken	7.	Tighten blade bolt or
	blade adapter.		replace blade adapter.
8.	Control bar in released	8.	Depress control bar to
	position.		handle.
9.	Control bar defective.	9.	Replace control bar.
10. Fuel valve lever (if so		10. Turn fuel valve lever
	equipped) in OFF position.		to the ON position.
11. Weak battery (if equipped).		11. Charge battery.
12. Disconnected battery		12. Connect battery to engine.
	connector (if equipped).

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CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a new Lawn Mower. It has been designed, engi- neered and manufactured to give you the best possible dependability and performance. Should you experience any problems you cannot easily remedy, please contact your nearest authorized service center. They have competent, well trained technicians and the proper tools to service or repair this unit.

•Read the SAFETY RULES and this Operator's Manual in its entirety before you at- tempt to assemble or operate your new lawn mower to insure proper operation and to prevent injury to yourself and others. Save this manual for future reference.

•Your new lawn mower has been assembled at the factory with the exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. To ensure safe and proper operation of your lawn mower, all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely. Use the correct tools as necessary to ensure proper tightness.

•All parts such as nuts, washers, bolts, etc., necessary to complete the assembly have

been placed in the parts bag.

Poulan 961240002 Engine, Other, III. Children, IV. Safe Handling of Gasoline, General Service

Models: 961240002