Ariens A173K22 (96146500 Owner's Manual page 7

Theoperation ofanylawn
mower canresult inforeign
objects thrown into the
eyes,
which can result in severe
eye damage. Always wear
safety glasses or eye shields while oper-
ating your lawn mower or performing any
adjustments or repairs. We recommend a
standard safety glasses or wide vision safety
mask worn over spectacles.
HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED
The engine speed was set at the factory
for optimum performance. Speed is not
adjustable.
ENGINE ZONE CONTROL
_CAUTION: Federal regulations require
an engine control to be installedon this
lawn mower in order to minimize the
risk of blade contact injury. Do not under
any circumstances attempt to defeat the
function of the operator control The blade
turns when the engine is running,
• Your lawn mower is equipped with an
operator presence controlbar which
requires the operatorto be positioned
behind the lawn mower handle to start
and operate the lawn mower,
TO OPERATE DRIVE SYSTEM
• To start forward motion, lift drive con-
trol bar up to handle.
• To stop forward motion, release drive
control bar.
IMPORTANT: Always keep drive control
fully engaged against handle when in use.
Operator
presence
control bar
DRIVE CONTROLENGAGED
DRIVE CONTROLDISENGAGED
TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT
Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels
for high cut, adjust cuttingheight to suit
your requirements. Medium position is
best for most lawns.
• To change cutting height, squeeze ad-
juster lever toward wheel. Move wheel
up or down to suit your requirements. Be
sure all wheets are in the same setting.
NOTE: Adjuster is properly positioned
when plate tab inserts into hole in lever.
Also, 9-position adjusters (if so equipped)
allow lever to be positioned between the
plate tabs.
LEVERBACKWARD Platetab
TO LOWERMOWER
LEVERFORWARDTO RAISEMOWER Lever
TO ATTACH GRASS CATCHER
1. Lift the rear door of the lawn mower
and place the grass catcher frame side
hooks ontothe door pivot pins,
2. The grass catcher is secured to the
lawn mower housing when the rear
door is lowered onto the grass catcher
frame.
_I_CAUTION: Do not run your lawn
mower without mulcher plate or plug, clip-
ping deflector or approved grass catcher
in place. Never attempt to operate the
lawn mower with the rear door removed or
propped open.
Rear
Grass
catcher
handie
Catcher frame hook
TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER
1, Lift up on grass catcher using the
frame handle.
2. Remove grasscatcher with clippings
from under lawn mower handle.
3. Empty clippingsfrom bag,
NOTE: Do not drag the bag when emp-
7 tying; it will cause unnecessarywear.