Assembly; Operation; Maintenance - Murray 226112x52A Instruction Book

ASSEMBLY

NOTE: Illustrations and pictorials begin on
page 2.
Unpacking instructions
The mower was fully assembled at the factory.
When the mower was put in the carton, the
handle was put in the storage position. To put
the handle in the operating position, follow the
steps below.
1. Remove the mower from the carton.
2. (Figure 1) Put the lower handle (1) in the
operating position. Make sure the lower
handle (1) is between the locking tabs (2).
3. Put the upper handle (3) in the operating
position. Tighten the knobs (4).
CAUTION: Be careful when you fold or
raise the handle. Do not damage the
cables. A cable that is bent will not work
correctly. Before you use the unit, replace
a bent or damaged cable.
4. (Figure 7) Engage the engine stop lever
(1).
5. (Figure 2) To attach the recoil-start grip (1)
to the rope guide (2), twist the rope through
the rope guide (2) mounted on the right side
of the handle.
NOTE: If you cannot attach the recoil-start
grip because the rope is too short, hold the
engine stop lever against the handle. Slowly
pull the recoil-start grip.
How To Adjust The Handle Height
(Figure 3 and Figure 4) The handle bracket
(1) has two assembly positions. A HIGH (3) and
a LOW (4) position. The HIGH (3) position will
raise the handle approximately four inches.
1. (Figure 1) Remove the wingnuts (6) and
bolts from the right and left handle brackets
(2).
2. (Figure 3) To raise the handle, mount the
lower handle (1) in the HIGH (3) position.
3. (Figure 4) To lower the handle, mount the
lower handle (1) in the LOW (4) position.
4. (Figure 1) Attach the lower handle (1) to
the handle brackets (2) with the bolts and
wingnuts (6).
How To Prepare The Engine
Note: Engine does not contain OIL or GASO-
LINE.
WARNING: Follow the engine
manufacturer's instructions for the
type of fuel and oil to use. Always
use a safety fuel container. Do not smoke
when adding fuel to the engine. When in-
side an enclosure, do not fill with fuel. Be-
fore you add fuel, stop the engine. Let the
engine cool for several minutes.
NOTE: Actual sustained horsepower will like-
ly be lower due to operating limitations and
environmental factors.
See the engine manufacturer's instructions for
the type of petrol and oil to use. Before you use
the unit, read the information on safety,
operation, maintenance, and storage.
Mulcher Kit Removal And Installation
WARNING: Before you remove or
install the mulcher kit, disconnect
the wire to the spark plug.
F-050451L
On some models the mulcher kit is installed at
the factory. To convert from a mulcher to a side
discharge, remove the mulcher plate.
A side discharge mower can be converted to a
mulching mower by installing the mulcher kit as
follows:
1. (Figure 6) Raise the chute deflector (1).
2. Align the mulcher plate (2) with the side dis-
charge opening. Make sure that the two align-
ment bumps (5) are inside of the opening.
3. Mount the tab (3) on the top of the mulcher
plate (2) to the inside of the mower housing.
4. (Figure 5) Mount the tab (4) on the bottom of
the mulcher plate (2) to the inside of the
mower housing.
5. Lower the chute deflector (1).
Mulching Tips
Mulching finely cuts the grass so that the grass
can be easily recycled. Because the nutrients
are returned to the soil, the lawn will need less
fertilizer. To correctly mulch the lawn, follow the
tips below.
G
The grass must be dry. If the grass is wet, it
will be difficult to cut and cause heavy
clumps of grass.
G
The grass must not be too tall. The maximum
height to effectively cut is 4 1/2 inches. Set
the height adjusters so that only the top third
of the grass is cut.
G
If the grass is more than 4 1/2 inches high,
two mowings will be necessary. For the first
mowing, set the height adjusters in the
highest position. Then, lower the height
adjusters for the second mowing.
G
Keep a sharp edge on the blade. A blade that
is not sharp will cause the ends of the grass
to become brown.
G
Clean the underside of the mower housing.
Grass and other debris can keep the mower
from working correctly.
If the quality of cut is marginal, try the follow-
ing:
G
Set the height adjusters at a higher cutting
height.
G
Cut the grass more frequently.
G
Operate the mower at a slower ground
speed.
G
Overlap the cutting swaths instead of cutting
a full swath with each pass.
G
Mow across the marginal areas a second
time.

OPERATION

NOTE: Illustrations and pictorials begin on
page 2.
Engine Stop Lever (Figure 7)
Release the engine stop lever (1) and the
engine and the blade will automatically stop. To
run the engine, hold the engine stop lever (1) in
the Operating position (2)
Before you start the engine, operate the engine
stop lever (1) several times. Make sure the
cable moves easily.
6
How To Stop The Engine (Figure 7)
To stop the engine, release the engine stop
lever (1). Disconnect the wire from the spark
plug to prevent the engine from starting.
If the engine will not stop, hold a screwdriver
against the spark plug and against the engine
cooling fins. The spark will go to ground and the
engine will stop. Before you start the engine,
check the engine stop cable. Make sure the
engine stop cable is assembled correctly. Before
you operate the unit, replace a bent or damaged
engine stop cable.
Front Wheel Drive System (Figure 8)
The mower has a front wheel drive system. Op-
erate the drive system as follows.
1. Hold the engine stop lever (1) in the OPER-
ATING position.
2. Push the drive lever (2) completely forward.
When the drive lever (2) clicks, release the
drive lever (2). The drive system is now en-
gaged.
NOTE: To stop the engine, release the en-
gine stop lever.
3. To disengage the drive system and stop the
engine, completely release the engine stop
lever (1).
4. To disengage only the drive system, release
the engine stop lever (1) approximately two
inches. The drive system will disengage but
the engine will continue to run.
WARNING: For safe operation, the
drive system must immediately dis-
engage when the drive lever is re-
leased. If the drive system does not disen-
gage correctly, do not operate the mower
until the drive system is adjusted or re-
paired by an authorized service centre.
How To Start The Engine
(Figure 9 and Figure 10)
WARNING: The blade will rotate
when the engine runs.
1. Check the oil.
2. Fill the fuel tank with regular unleaded fuel.
See "How To Prepare The Engine".
3. Make sure the spark plug wire is connected
to the spark plug.
4. Make sure the drive lever is in the DISEN-
GAGED position.
5. (Figure 9) The primer button (1) is on the
side of the engine. Push the primer button
(1) five times. Every time you push the
primer button (1), wait two seconds.
NOTE: Do not use the primer button to
start a warm engine.
6. (Figure 10) Stand behind the mower. Use
one hand to hold the engine stop lever (1)
in the operating position as shown. Use the
other hand to hold the recoil-start grip (2).
7. Rapidly pull the recoil-start grip (2). Slowly
return the recoil-start grip (2).
8. If the engine does not start in 5 or 6 tries,
See the "Trouble Shooting Chart" Instruc-
tions.

MAINTENANCE

NOTE: Illustrations and pictorials begin on
page 2.
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