Poulan 961420036 Blade Care, “Fabric Top” Grass Catchers, Tires, Lubrication, See Engine Manual

“FABRIC TOP” GRASS CATCHERS

TO ASSEMBLE AND ATTACH GRASS CATCHER

•Put grass catcher frame into grass bag with rigid part of bag on the bottom.

•Slip vinyl bindings over frame.

NOTE: If vinyl bindings are too stiff, hold them in warm water for a few minutes. If bag gets wet, let it dry before using.

•Lift the rear door on the mower housing.

•For HINGE BRACKET mounted catcher, place the grass catcher frame onto the formed tabs on the rear door hinge bracket.

•For HANDLE BRACKET mounted catcher, place frame side hooks into slots in handle brackets.

•For DOOR PIVOT PIN mounted catcher, place the grass catcher frame hooks onto the door pivot pins.

•For DOOR SLOT mounted catcher, place the grass catcher frame hooks into the slots of the rear door.

NOTE: The grass catcher is secured to the lawn mower housing when the rear door is lowered onto the grass catcher frame.

Frame handle

Vinyl Frame

HINGE BRACKET MOUNTED

Rear door

Hinge bracket

Grass catcher frame

Formed tabs

HANDLE BRACKET MOUNTED

Handle bracket hooks	Rear	Grass
	door	catcher
		handle

Catcher frame side hook

DOOR PIVOT PIN MOUNTED

Pivot pins	Rear	Grass
	door	catcher
		handle

LAWN MOWER		IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is heat treated.
Always observe safety rules when perform-		If bolt needs replacing, replace only with
ing any maintenance.		approved bolt shown in the Repair Parts
TIRES		section of this manual.
•	Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect	Blade adapter	Key	Crankshaft
	control chemicals which can harm rubber.			keyway
•	Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp	Lockwasher
	objects and other hazards that may
	cause tire damage.	Blade
BLADE CARE
For best results, mower blade must be kept
sharp. Replace a bent or damaged blade.
	CAUTION: Use only a replacement	Blade
blade approved by the manufacturer of		bolt Hardened
your mower. Using a blade not approved		washer	Trailing edge	Crankshaft
by the manufacturer of your mower is		TO SHARPEN BLADE
hazardous, could damage your mower and
		NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening
void your warranty.
		blade - but if you do, be sure the blade is
TO REMOVE BLADE
		balanced. An unbalanced blade will cause
1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark		eventual damage to lawn mower or engine.
	plug and place wire where it cannot	• The blade can be sharpened with a file
	come in contact with plug.	or on a grinding wheel. Do not attempt to
2. Turn lawn mower on its side. Make sure		sharpen while on the mower.
	air filter and carburetor are up.	• To check blade balance, drive a nail into
3. Use a wood block between blade and		a beam or wall. Leave about one inch of
	mower housing to prevent blade from	the straight nail exposed. Place center
	turning when removing blade bolt.	hole of blade over the head of the nail.
NOTE: Protect your hands with gloves		If blade is balanced, it should remain in
and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.		a horizontal position. If either end of the
4. Remove blade bolt by turning counter-		blade moves downward, sharpen the
	clockwise.	heavy end until the blade is balanced.
5. Remove blade and attaching hard-		ENGINE
	ware (bolt, lock washer and hardened
		Read the maintenance section of your
	washer).
		engine manual.
NOTE: Remove the blade adapter and
		LUBRICATION
check the key inside hub of blade adapter.
		Change the oil after the first two hours of
The key must be in good condition to work
properly. Replace adapter if damaged.		operation and every 25 hours thereafter or
TO REPLACE BLADE		at least once a year if the lawn mower is

bindings opening

CAUTION: Under normal usage, the catcher material is subject to deterioration and wear and should, therefore, be checked frequently for replacement. Any replacement catcher should be checked to ensure compliance with original manufac- turer's specifications.

CAUTION: Do not run lawn mower without the discharge guard (rear door), approved grass catcher, clipping deflector or mulcher plate in place. Never attempt to operate mower with the discharge guard (rear door) removed or propped open.

6

Catcher frame hook

DOOR SLOT MOUNTED

Rear door slots

Grass catcher handle

Catcher frame hook

1.	Position the blade adapter on the en-		not used for 25 hours in one year. Refer to
			engine manual.
	gine crankshaft. Be sure key in adapter		TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
	and crankshaft keyway are aligned.
			(SEE ENGINE MANUAL)
2. Position blade on the blade adapter
			•	Be sure lawn mower is on level surface.
	aligning the two (2) holes in the blade
			•	Oil will drain more freely when warm.
	with the raised lugs on the adapter.
			•	Catch oil in a suitable container.
3. Be sure the trailing edge of blade (op-
			•	For engines without dipstick, remove
	posite sharp edge) is up toward the
				bottom oil drain plug.
	engine.
			•	For engines with oil fill cap/dipstick,
4. Install the blade bolt with the lock wash-
				remove bottom drain plug or remove en-
	er and hardened washer into blade
				gine oil cap and turn mower on its side.
	adapter and crankshaft.
			•	After oil has drained completely, replace
5. Use block of wood between blade and
				oil drain plug and tighten securely.
	lawn mower housing and tighten the
			•	Refill engine with oil. Pour slowly. Do
	blade bolt, turning clockwise.
				not overfill.
•	The recommended tightening torque is
			•	Fill to top of slot inside of filler hole or
	35-40 ft. lbs.
				to “FULL” line on dipstick on models so
		15		equipped. Keep oil at proper level.