Bolens 544 Lawn Mower User Manual


 
11
SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER
NOTE: For shipping purposes your mower is set with
the wheels in a low cutting height position. For best
results, raise the cutting position until it is determined
which height is best for your lawn. See the Adjustment
Section for details.
Gas & Oil Fill-Up
Check oil level and add oil if necessary. Follow
relevant instructions in the engine manual for this.
Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in
the engine manual.
Before Starting Mower
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.
Throttle Speed
Your lawn mower engine is equipped with a constant
speed throttle, which is set at full throttle for best
performance.
Starting Engine
Push primer three times. Wait about two seconds
between each push. In cold weather around 55
o
F
or below, prime five times. Do not prime to restart a
warm engine after a short shutdown.
Standing behind the mower, depress the blade
control handle and hold it against the upper handle.
Grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly until
engine reaches the 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. Keeping a firm grip on
the starter handle, let the rope rewind slowly.
Stopping Engine
Release blade control handle to stop the engine
and the blade.
Disconnect spark plug wire and move away from
spark plug to prevent accidental starting.
Using Your Lawn Mower
You can use your mower as a mulching mower or a
rear bagger.
Do not operate the mower without the rear
mulching baffle or the grasscatcher bag properly
installed.
Be sure that the 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. It may stick to
the underside of the mower, preventing proper
discharge of grass clippings, and could cause you
to slip and fall. New grass or thick grass may
require a narrower cut.
For a healthy lawn, always cut off one-third or less
of the total length of the grass. Lawn should be
trimmed in fall as long as there is growth.
Mulching
For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass. New or
thick grass may require a narrower cut. If the grass has
grown in excess of 4, mulching is not recommended.
Mow using the side discharge to reduce the grass
height to 3.25 maximum before mulching.
WARNING: Read, understand, and follow all
instructions and warnings on the machine and
in this manual before operating.
WARNING: Use extreme care when
handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never
fuel the machine indoors or while the engine is
hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars,
pipes and other sources of ignition.
WARNING: Be sure no one other than the
operator is standing near the lawn mower while
starting engine or operating mower.
WARNING: Never run engine indoors or in
enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine
exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an
odorless and deadly gas.
WARNING: Keep hands, feet, hair and
loose clothing away from any moving parts on
engine and lawn mower.
WARNING: Never operate the mower
unless the hooks on the grasscatcher are
seated in the slots on the handle bracket
assemblies, and the rear discharge door rests
firmly against the top of the grasscatcher.
WARNING: If the mower strikes a foreign
object, stop the engine. Remove spark plug
wire from the spark plug and thoroughly inspect
for any damage. Repair the damage promptly
before restarting and operating the mower.