Ariens A173K22 (96136100 Owner's Manual page 8

Grass
catcher
frame
TO CONVERT MOWER
Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be
used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging:
• Open rear door and remove mulcher
plug. Store mulcher plug in a safe
place.
• You can now install grass catcher or
optional clipping deflector.
• To convert to mulching operation, install
mulcher plug into rear discharge open-
ing of mower.
CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower
without mulcher plug, clipping deflector or
approved grass catcher in place. Never at-
tempt to operate the lawn mower with the
rear door removed or propped open.
Mulcher plug
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
ADD OIL
Your lawnmower is shipped without oil in
the engine. For type and grade of oil to
use, see "ENGINE" in the Maintenance
section of this manual.
A CAUTION: DO NOT overfill engine with
oil, or it will smoke heavily from the muffler
on startup.
1. Be sure Iawnmower is level.
2. Remove oil dipstick from oil fill spout.
3. You receive a container of oil with the
unit. Slowly pour the entire container
down the oil fill spout into the engine.
NOTE: initial oil fill requires only t8 oz.
due to residual oil in engine from the
manufacturers 100% quality testing. When
changing oil you may need 20 oz.
4, Insert and tighten dipstick.
IMPORTANT:
* Check oil level before each use. Add oil
if needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.
° Change the oil after every 25 hours of
operation or each season, You may
need to change the oil more often
under dusty, dirty conditions. See "TO
CHANGE ENGINE OIL" in the Mainte-
nance section of this manual.
filler cap
oil cap
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck.
Do not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of
87 octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline.
Purchase fuel in.quantities that can be
used within 30 days to assure fuel fresh-
ness.
& CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
ar an open flame.
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels
(called gasohol or using ethanol or metha-
nol) can attract moisture which leads to
separation and formation of acids during
storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel
system of an engine while in storage. To
avoid engine problems, the fue! system
should be emptied before storage of 30
days or longer. Empty the gas tank, start
the engine and let it run until the fuel lines
and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel
next season_ See Storage instructions for
additional information. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner productsin the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur,