Yard-Man 500 - Manual (Page 8)

8
4
Operating
Your Lawn
Mower
Blade Control Handle
The blade control handle is located on the upper handle
of the mower. See Figure 9. The blade control handle
must be depressed in order to operate the unit. Release
the blade control handle to stop the engine and blade.
Drive Control Handle
The drive control handle is located on the upper handle.
Squeeze the drive control handle against the upper
handle to engage drive system. Release the control
handle to disengage the drive system in order to stop,
slow down, or backup.
Mulching Plug (optional)
The mulching plug is used to close the side discharge
chute opening when mulching or bagging grass. Do
not remove the hinged mulching plug at any time, even
when you are not mulching.
Recoil Starter
The recoil starter is attached to the right upper handle.
Stand behind the unit and pull the recoil starter rope to
start the unit.
Know Your Lawn Mower
Cutting Height Adjustment Levers
One adjustment lever is located on each wheel and is
used to adjust the cutting height. All four levers have to be
at the same relative position to ensure uniform cut.
Before Starting
1. Service the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed
in the separate engine manual.
2. Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. If unit is
equipped with a rubber boot over the end of the spark
plug wire, make certain the metal loop on the end of
the spark plug wire (inside the rubber boot) is fastened
securely over the metal tip on the spark plug.
3. Before each use, check for proper drive clutch opera-
tion by performing the following before starting the
engine:
a. With the drive control released, push mower
forward. It should move freely. Pull mower back-
ward. It should move with only a small amount of
resistance.
WARNING
Figure 9
Read, understand,
and follow all instruc-
tions and warnings
on the machine and
in this manual before
operating.
This blade control
mechanism is a
safety device. Never
attempt to bypass its
operations.
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.