Bolens 546 - Manual (Page 11)

11
Using Your Lawn Mower
Be sure that the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or
other objects which could damage the lawn mower or
the 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.
For a healthier lawn, never cut off more than one-third
of the total length of the grass. Your lawn should be cut
in the fall as long as there is growth. This mower is
designed to be operated at full throttle to give you the
best cut and do the most effective job of mowing or
mulching.
WARNING: If you strike a foreign object,
stop the engine. Remove wire from the
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.
Mulching
For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass because it
tends to stick to the underside of the deck, preventing
proper mulching of grass clippings. New or thick grass
may require a narrower cut. The ground speed should
be adjusted to the condition of the lawn. If mowing has
been delayed and the grass has been allowed to grow
in excess of 4”, mulching is not recommended. Mow
using the side discharge to reduce the grass height to 3
1/4” maximum before mulching.
SECTION 6: MAKING ADJUSTMENTS
WARNING: Do not at any time make any
adjustments without first stopping engine
and disconnecting spark plug wire.
Handle Height Adjustment
Your mower is shipped with the handle in the higher
height position. To lower the height proceed as follows:
• Remove the starter rope from the rope guide.
• Remove the upper handle by removing the hand
knobs and carriage bolts. Lay the upper handle out
of the way, being careful not to bend or kink the
cables.
• Remove the hairpin clips from the weld pins on the
handle brackets and remove the wing nuts and
carriage bolts from the upper hole on the handle
mounting bracket. Press out on the legs of the
lower handle and remove lower handle from the
mower.
• Turn lower handle around so the notch on the
bottom of the lower handle is facing forward.
See Figure 12.
• Reassemble, placing the bottom holes in the
handle over the weld pins in the handle mounting
bracket.
• Place the hairpin clips in the inner holes in the weld
pins and insert the carriage bolts the upper hole on
the handle mounting bracket and secure with
plastic wing nuts.
• Reassemble the upper handle to the lower handle.
• Attach the starter rope as instructed in the
Assembly Section
Figure 12
Cutting Height Adjustment
An adjusting plate and spring lever at each wheel
position provides cutting height adjustment. Each
adjusting plate has assorted height positions. When the
spring lever is moved from one location to another the
height of cut will be changed. Simply depress the lever
towards wheel and move lever assembly to desired
position. See Figure 13.
Notch
Lower Handle