Poulan 961420036 manual Operation, For Mulching Mowers only Mulching Mowing Tips

OPERATION

The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields while operating your lawn mower or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend standard safety glasses or a wide vision safety mask worn over spectacles.

MOWING TIPS

CAUTION: Do not use de-thatcher blade attachments on your mower. Such attachments are hazardous, will damage your mower and could void your warranty.

• For most cutting conditions and better

bagging performance, the engine speed

should be set in the FAST position.

FOR MULCHING MOWERS ONLY

- MULCHING MOWING TIPS

IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep

mower housing free of built-up grass and

trash. See "CLEANING" in the Mainte-

nance section of this manual.

• The special mulching blade will recut the

grass clippings many times and reduce

HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

ENGINE SPEED CONTROL

MODELS WITH REMOTE THROTTLE Engine speed is controlled by the throttle control located on the upper handle.

•Move lever forward to FAST engine speed for starting and better bagging.

•Move lever backward for SLOW engine speed.

•Some models have engines equipped with a choke feature. Move the lever all the way forward to the CHOKE position when starting a cold engine.

SLOW

FAST

CHOKE (START)

•Reinstall wheel components in the same order as they were before removal. Tighten securely.

•Make sure all wheels are at same height.

Flat washer

Wheel

Bolt

3/8-16 Spacer Locknut

MODELS WITH “QUICK ADJUST” WHEEL HEIGHT ADJUSTERS NOTE: For shipping purposes, the rear wheels on your lawn mower may not be adjusted to the same position as the front wheels. Before operating mower adjust all wheels to the same cutting height.

•	Under certain conditions, such as when
	mowing very tall grass, raise the mower
	height on the first cut to reduce pushing
	effort, to avoid overheating the engine,
	and to avoid leaving clumps of grass
	clippings. Make the second cut to the
	desired height.
•	For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the
	width of cut.
•	For side discharge lawn mowers, cut in
	a counterclockwise direction, starting at
	the outside of the area to be cut, in order
	to spread grass clippings more evenly
	and to put less load on the engine. To
	keep clippings off of walkways, flower
	beds, etc., make the first cuts in a clock-
	wise direction.

them in size so that as they fall onto the

lawn they will disperse into the grass

and not be noticed. Also, the mulched

grass will biodegrade quickly to provide

nutrients for the lawn. Always mulch with

your highest engine (blade) speed as

this will provide the best recutting action

of the blades.

• Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet.

Wet grass tends to form clumps and

interferes with the mulching action. The

best time to mow your lawn is the early

afternoon. At this time the grass has

dried, yet the newly cut area will not be

exposed to direct sunlight.

• For best results, adjust the lawn mower

cutting height so that the lawn mower

cuts off only the top one-third of the

grass blades. If the lawn is overgrown it

will be necessary to raise the height of

cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep

from overloading the engine and leaving

clumps of mulched grass. For extremely

heavy grass, reduce your width of cut by

overlapping previously cut path and mow

slowly.

Remote throttle control

MODELS WITH FIXED SPEED ENGINES Engine speed was set at the factory for optimum performance. Engine speed is not adjustable.

•Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels for high cut.

•Adjust cutting height to suit your require- ments. Medium position is best for most lawns.

•To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster lever toward wheel. Move wheel up or down to suit your requirements. Be sure all wheels are in the same setting.

NOTE: Adjuster is properly positioned when plate tab inserts into hole in lever. Also, 9- position adjusters (if so equipped) allow lever to be positioned between the plate tabs.

• When using a rear discharge lawn

mower in moist, heavy grass, clumps

of cut grass may not enter the grass

catcher. Reduce ground speed (pushing

speed) and/or run the lawn mower over

the area a second time.

• If a trail of grass clipping is left on the

right side of a rear discharge lawn mow-

er, mow in a clockwise direction with a

small overlap to collect the clippings on

MAX 1/3

• Certain types of grass and grass

conditions may require that an area be

mulched a second time to completely

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

Adjust cutting height to suit your require- ments. Medium position is best for most lawns. Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels for high cut.

MODELS WITH MANUAL ADJUST BOLT-ON WHEELS

•Remove wheel, bolt, and hardware and reassemble in desired adjustment hole.

LEVER BACKWARD	Plate tab
TO LOWER MOWER

LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER Lever

the next pass.

• Pores in cloth grass catchers can be-

come filled with dirt and dust with use

and the catcher will collect less grass.

To prevent this, regularly hose catcher

off with water and let dry before use.

hide the clippings. When doing a second

cut, mow across (perpendicular) to the

first cut path.

• Change your cutting pattern from week

to week. Mow north to south one week

then change to east to west the next

week. This will help prevent matting and

graining of the lawn.

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