SECTION 3: ASSEMBLING YOUR LAWN MOWER
To Remove Unit From Carton
•Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open carton.
•Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.e., operator’s manual, etc.).
•Cut along corners and lay carton down flat.
•Remove packing material.
•Roll or slide unit out of carton. Check carton thoroughly for loose parts.
NOTE: Parts included for assembly of grass catcher are listed on page 8.
Tools Required
1.Pair of Pliers
2.Phillips Screwdriver †
3.7/16" or Adjustable Wrench †
†For models with hardtop grass bags only
NOTE: This owner’s guide covers various models of mowers. Follow only those instructions which pertain to your unit.
Disconnect Spark Plug Wire
•Before setting up your lawn mower, disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug, and ground it against the engine. See Figure 1.
NOTE: On engines with a rubber boot, attach rubber boot to a bolt on the engine to ground.
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.
Setting Up Your Lawn Mower
•Remove any packing material which may be between the upper and lower handles for shipping purposes.
•Pull up and back on the upper handle to raise the handle into the operating position. Make certain the lower handle is seated securely into the handle mounting brackets. Tighten the hand knobs on each side of the handle (carriage bolts must be seated properly into the handle). See Figure 2.
Tighten 
hand knob
Tighten hand knob
Figure 2
Spark Plug Wire With Rubber Boot
Spark Plug
All Engines
With Rubber
Boot
on Engine
Spark
Plug
Wire
Briggs & Stratton
Engines
Retaining
PostSpark
Plug
Spark Plug Wire
Tecumseh
Engines
NOTE: 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.
•Remove the hairpin clips from the outer hole in the weld pins on the handle mounting brackets. 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 the other side. See Figure 3.
Handle Mounting
Bracket
Insert hairpin clip here
Hairpin
Clip 
Weld
Pin
Figure 3
Figure 1
7
