How To Use Your Lawn Mower; Drive Control - Husqvarna HU550FH Operator's Manual

The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in
severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields while operating your lawn mower or
performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend standard safety glasses or a wide vision safety
mask over spectacles.

HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

ENGINE SPEED
The engine speed was set at the factory for optimum per-
formance. Speed is not adjustable.
ENGINE ZONE CONTROL
CAUTION: Federal regulations require
an engine control to be installed on this
lawn mower in order to minimize the risk
of blade contact injury. Do not un der
any cir cum stanc es 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
control bar which requires the operator to be positioned
behind the mower handle to start and operate the mower.
DRIVE CONTROL (See Fig. 5)
• Self-propelling is controlled by hold ing the operator
presence control bar down to the handle and pulling
the drive control bar up to the handle. The closer to the
handle the bar is pulled, the faster the unit will travel.
• Forward motion will stop when either the operator pres-
ence control bar or drive control bar are released. To
stop forward motion without stop ping engine, re lease
the drive control bar only. Hold op er a tor presence
control bar down against handle to con tin ue mowing
without self-propelling.
NOTE: If after releasing the drive control the mower will
not roll backwards, push the mower forward slightly to
disengage drive wheels.
• To keep drive control engaged when turning corners,
push down on the handle to lift the front wheels off the
ground while turning lawn mower.
OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL BAR
DRIVE
CONTROL
ENGAGED
OPERATION
DRIVE
CONTROL
BAR
DRIVE
CONTROL
DISENGAGED
TO ADJUST,
MOVE DOWN
TO NEXT HOLE
FIG. 5
DRIVE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT (See Fig. 5)
Over time, the drive control system may become "loose",
resulting in decreased speed. There are holes in the drive
control housing to increase tension on the drive cable.
Pro ceed as follows:
1. Turn unit off and disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug.
2. Loosen nut, move drive control housing down handle
to the next hole and retighten nut.
3. Operate mower to test drive speed.
4. If condition fails to improve after the above steps (for-
ward speed remains the same), your drive belt is worn
and should be re placed.
TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT (See Fig. 6)
Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels for high cut,
adjust cutting height to suit your requirements. Me di um
position is best for most lawns.
• To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster lever to ward
wheel. Move wheel up or down to suit your re quire-
ments. Be sure all wheels 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.
ROTATE LEVER TOWARD ENGINE
TO LOWER MOWER
ROTATE LEVER AWAY FROM ENGINE TO RAISE MOWER
7
PLATE
TAB
LEVER
FIG. 6