Yard-Man 573 - Manual (Page 9)

9
SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER
Gas and Oil Fill-Up
• Service the mower engine with gasoline and oil
following instructions in the engine manual. If your
mower was shipped with oil in the engine, fill up the
required amount of gasoline only. Always make
sure there is adequate oil in the engine before
starting the engine. Fill up as necessary.
Adjusting Cutting Height
• Your mower was shipped at the lowest cutting
height. For best results in mowing, keep the cutting
height position high until it is determined which
height is best for your lawn.
• Refer to height adjustments section of this manual
on page 10 for instruction on how to adjust the
cutting height and the handle height.
Before Starting
• Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain
the metal cap on the end of the spark plug wire
(inside the rubber boot) is fastened securely over
the metal tip on the spark plug.
To Start Engine and Engage Blade
• Prime engine as instructed in the engine manual.
• Standing behind the unit, depress the blade control
handle and hold it against the upper handle.
• Grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly until
engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope
will pull slightly harder at this point). Let the rope
rewind slowly.
• Pull rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke.
Keep a firm grip on starter handle. Return it slowly
to the rope guide. If you encounter any problems,
refer to the Trouble Shooting Guide for helpful
information.
Stopping Engine and Blade
• Release the blade control handle to stop the engine
and the blade.
• Disconnect spark plug wire and ground it against
the engine to prevent accidental starting while
equipment is unattended.
Using Your Rotary Mower
• Be sure that lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or
other objects which could damage lawn mower or
engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown by
the mower in any direction and cause serious
personal injury to the operator and others.
• For best results, do not cut wet grass because it
tends to stick to the underside of the mower,
preventing proper discharge of grass clippings, and
could cause you to slip and fall. New grass, thick
grass or wet grass may require a narrower cut.
Speed of the mower should be adjusted to the
condition of the lawn.
• For a healthier lawn, always cut off one-third or less
of the total length of grass. Lawn should be mowed
in the fall season as long as there is growth.
WARNING: Keep hands and feet away from
the chute area on cutting deck. The blade will
be rotating whenever the engine is running.
WARNING: Be sure no one other than the
operator is standing near the lawn mower while
starting the engine or operating the mower.
WARNING: Never run engine indoors or in
enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine
exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an
odorless and deadly gas.
WARNING: Never fill fuel tank indoors, with
engine running or until the engine has been
allowed to cool for at least two minutes after
running.
WARNING: The blade continues to rotate
for a few seconds after the engine is shut off.
Do not touch the blade in any way while it is still
rotating.
WARNING: If you strike a foreign object,
stop the engine. Remove wire from spark plug,
thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage,
and repair the damage before restarting and
operating the mower. Extensive vibration of the
mower during operation is an indication of
damage. The unit should be promptly
inspected and repaired