Ryobi RY40100 - Manual (Page 12)

8 — English
WARNING:
Do not insert key or battery pack until assembly is
complete and you are ready to mow. Failure to comply
could result in accidental starting and possible serious
personal injury.
WARNING:
To prevent accidental starting, do not make any adjust-
ments or installations with the key or battery pack in-
serted. Accidental starting of the mower during assembly
could result in serious personal injury.
WARNING:
Never operate the mower without the proper safety de-
vices in place and working. Never operate the mower with
damaged safety devices. Operating the mower with miss-
ing or damaged parts can result in serious personal injury.
UNFOLDING AND ADJUSTING HANDLE
ASSEMBLY
See Figures 2 - 3.
To raise handle assembly:

Open the lower handle locks.
 Pull up and back on the lower handle until it is aligned
with the slot between the handle locks and the mower
housing.
NOTE: If the lower handle is difficult to move, turn the
lower handle locks clockwise to free the handle.
 To secure the lower handle in place, close the lower handle
locks.
NOTE: If the lower handle is loose or does not seat
completely in the slot, turn the lower handle locks coun-
terclockwise to secure the handle.
 Open the upper handle locks.
 Pull up and back on the upper handle to raise it into
operating position. Make sure that the lower handle is
seated in the grooves at the bottom of the upper handle.
NOTICE:
Do not allow the starter cable to become pinched or
trapped when raising the handle.
 To secure the upper handle in place, close the upper
handle locks.
NOTE: If the upper handle is loose or separated from
the lower handle, tighten the knobs on the upper handle
locks by turning them clockwise.
To lower the handle assembly:

Open the upper handle locks.
NOTE: If the handle lock is difficult to open, loosen the
knobs on the upper handle locks by turning them coun-
terclockwise.
ASSEMBLY
 Lower the upper handle.
 Open the lower handle lock.
 Push outward on each side of the lower handle until it
is free from the slot. Then, fold the handle to the front of
the unit. Avoid pinching or trapping any cables.
INSTALLING THE MULCHING PLUG
(FOR MULCHING OPERATION)
See Figure 4.
NOTE: When using the mulching plug, do not install the
grass catcher.

Remove key and battery pack.
 Lift and hold the rear discharge door.
 Grasp the mulching plug by its handle and insert it at a
slight angle, as shown.
 Push the mulching plug securely into place.
 Lower the rear discharge door.
 Reinstall key and battery pack when you are ready to
mow.
INSTALLING THE GRASS CATCHER (FOR
REAR BAGGING OPERATION)
See Figures 5 - 6.
NOTE: When using the grass catcher, do not install the
mulching plug.

Remove key and battery pack.
 Lift the rear discharge door.
 Lift the grass catcher by its handle and place under the
rear discharge door so that the hooks on the grass catcher
are seated onto the slots on the mower housing.
 Release the rear discharge door.
 Reinstall key and battery pack when you are ready to
mow.
SETTING BLADE HEIGHT
See Figure 7.
When shipped, the wheels on the mower are set to a low-
cutting position. Before using the mower for the first time,
raise the cutting position to the height best suited for your
lawn. The average lawn should be between 1-1/2 in. to 2 in.
during cool months and between 2 in. and 3-1/4 in. during
hot months.
To adjust the blade height:

Remove key and battery pack.
 To raise the blade height, grasp the height adjustment
lever and move it toward the back of the mower.
 To lower the blade height, grasp the height adjustment
lever and move it toward the front of the mower.
 Reinstall key and battery pack when you are ready to
mow.