7SECTION 3: ASSEMBLING YOUR LAWN MOWERUnpacking• Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cuttape at carton end and peel along top flap to opencarton.• Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.e.,owner’s manual, etc.).• Cut along corners and lay carton down flat.• Remove packing material.• Roll or slide unit out of carton. Check cartonthoroughly for loose parts.Tools Required1. Pair of Pliers2. Phillips Screwdriver †3. 7/16" or Adjustable Wrench †† Hardtop grass bags onlyNOTE: This operator’s manual covers various modelsof lawn mowers. Follow only those instructions whichpertain to your unit.Disconnect Spark Plug WireFigure 1• Before setting up your lawn mower, disconnect thespark plug wire from the spark plug, and ground itagainst the engine. See Figure 1 .• In the case of lawn mowers where engine isequipped with a rubber boot, attach rubber boot toa bolt on the engine to ground. See Figure 1.Assembling HandleNOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the moweris observed from the operating position.• Remove any packing material which may bebetween the upper and lower handles for shippingpurposes.• Pull up and back on the upper handle to raise thehandle into the operating position. Make certain thelower handle is seated securely into the handlemounting brackets.Figure 2• Tighten the hand knobs on each side of the handle(carriage bolts must be seated properly into thehandle). See Figure 2.NOTE: Your mower is shipped with the handle in thehigher height position. If you wish to lower the height ofthe handle, refer to the Adjustment Section at this time.• Using a pair of pliers, squeeze one leg of the lowerhandle against the handle mounting bracket.Remove the hairpin clips from the outer hole in theweld pins on the handle mounting brackets. Insertthe hairpin clip into the inner hole on the weld pin.See Figure 3. Repeat on other side.Figure 3Engines with rubber boot Tecumseh enginesBriggs & Stratton EnginesSpark Plug WireWith Rubber BootSparkPlugWireV-Sloton EngineSparkPlugRetainingPostSpark PlugSparkPlugWireTightenhand knobTightenhand knobHandle MountingBracketWeldHairpinClipInsert hairpinclip herePin