PowerBase 577149 User manual

53cm Self Propelled Petrol
Rotary Lawn Mower
These instructions contain important information that will help you get the best
from your product, ensuring it is assembled correctly and safely. If you need help
or have damaged or missing parts, call the Customer Helpline on 01904 727 509.
IMPORTANT!
Please read these
instructions fully before
starting assembly.
Instruction
Manual
41cm 125cc Self Propelled Petrol
Rotary Lawn Mower 577149

2
Contents
General safety warnings 3
Intended use 8
Warning symbols 8
In the box 10
Assembling the lawn mower 12
Preparing to operate the lawn mower 15
Operation 17
Maintenance and storage 22
Troubleshooting 28
Technical data 29
Disposal 30
Getting help 30
Warranty 30

3
General Safety Warnings
Safety warnings
WARNING! Read all safety warnings
and instructions.
Failure to follow the warnings and
instructions may result in electric
shock, fire and/or serious injury.
WARNING! Read all safety warnings
and instructions designated by
the symbol.
Save all warnings and instructions for
future reference.
• Always ensure anyone intending
to operate this lawn mower is fully
conversant with the contents of this
instruction manual prior to assembling,
maintaining or operating the lawn mower.
• Perform assembly operations as
described in this manual. Failure to
observe this warning may lead to serious
injury, death, or damage to the lawn
mower.
• Always take care when removing the
packaging, to prevent damage to you or to
the lawn mower.
IMPORTANT! Before assembling the lawn
mower, check all the parts indicated in the
manual are in the box. Inspect all the parts
for signs of damage. Do not assemble the
lawn mower if you observe any damaged
components.
NOTE: This lawn mower complies with the
Noise Emission Directive 2000/14/EC.

4
General safety
• Keep this operating and maintenance
manual in a safe place for future
reference.
• Read the instructions carefully. Be familiar
with the controls and the proper use of
the equipment.
• Never allow children or people unfamiliar
with these instructions to use the lawn
mower. Local regulations can restrict the
age of the operator.
• Never mow while people, especially
children or pets, are nearby. Keep in mind
that the operator or user is responsible for
accidents or hazards occurring to other
people or their property.
• This lawn mower is not intended for
use by people (including children) with
reduced physical, sensory or mental
capabilities, or lack of experience and
knowledge, unless they have been given
supervision or instruction concerning
the use of the lawn mower by a person
responsible for their safety.
• Never touch a rotating blade.
Personal safety
• While mowing, always wear suitable
footwear and long trousers. Do not
operate the equipment when barefoot or
wearing open-toed sandals.

5
• Thoroughly inspect the area where the
equipment is to be used and remove all
objects which can be thrown by the lawn
mower.
• Petrol is highly flammable; store fuel in
containers specifically designed for this
purpose.
a) Refuel outdoors only and do not smoke
while refuelling.
b) Add fuel before starting the engine.
Never remove the cap of the fuel tank or
add petrol while the engine is running, or
when the engine is hot.
c) If petrol is spilled, do not attempt to
start the engine. Move the lawn mower
away from the area of spillage, and avoid
creating any source of ignition until petrol
vapours have dissipated.
d) Replace all fuel tank and container
caps securely.
• Replace faulty silencers.
• Prior to use, visually inspect to see
that the blade, blade bolts and cutter
assembly are not worn or damaged.
Replace worn or damaged blades and
bolts in sets to preserve balance.
Operation safety
• Do not operate the engine in a confined
space where dangerous carbon
monoxide fumes can collect.
• Mow only in daylight or in good
artificial light.

6
• Avoid operating the equipment on wet
grass, where feasible.
• Always be sure of your footing on slopes.
• Walk, never run.
• Mow across the face of a slope, never up
and down.
• Exercise extreme caution when changing
direction on slopes.
• Do not mow steep slopes excessively.
• Use extreme caution when reversing or
pulling the lawn mower towards you.
• Stop the blade if the lawn mower has
to be tilted for transportation when
crossing surfaces other than grass, and
when transporting the lawn mower to
and from the area to be mowed.
• Never operate the lawn mower with
defective guards, or without safety
devices in place, for example deflectors
and/or grass catchers.
• Do not change the engine governor
settings or over speed the engine.
• Start the engine carefully according to
the instructions and with feet well away
from the blade.
• Do not tilt the lawn mower when starting
the engine.
• Do not start the engine without the
grass collector in place.
• Do not put hands or feet near or
under rotating parts. Keep clear of the
discharge opening at all times.

7
• Never pick up or carry a lawn mower
while the engine is running.
• Stop the engine and disconnect the
spark plug cable, making sure that all
moving parts have come to a complete
stop:
a) Before clearing blockages or
unclogging the chute.
b) Before checking, cleaning or working on
the lawn mower.
c) After striking a foreign object, inspect
the lawn mower for damage and make
repairs before restarting and operating
the lawn mower.
d) If the lawn mower starts to vibrate
abnormally, check immediately.
• Stop the engine and disconnect the
spark plug wire, and make sure that all
moving parts have come to a complete
stop before refuelling.
Maintenance and storage
• Keep all nuts, bolts and screws tight, to
ensure the equipment is in safe working
condition.
• Never store the equipment with petrol in
the tank inside a building where fumes
can reach an open flame or spark.
• Allow the engine to cool before storing in
any enclosure.
• To reduce the fire hazard, keep the engine,
silencer, and petrol storage area free of
grass, leaves, or excessive grease.

8
• Check the grass collector frequently for
wear or deterioration.
• For safety, always replace worn or
damaged parts.
• If the fuel tank has to be drained, this
should be done outdoors.
• Only use the recommended blades and
spare parts by the manufacturer. The
use of non-genuine parts can damage
the machine and injure the operators.
Keep the lawn mower in good working
condition.
• If the blade stopping device doesn’t work,
please contact service center for help.
Intended Use
This lawn mower is designed for domestic lawn mowing only.
Use in any other way is considered contrary to the intended use.
Compliance with the operation, service and repair, as specified
in this manual, also constitutes essential elements of the
intended use.
Warning Symbols
Please read all of the safety and operating instructions
carefully before using this lawn mower. Read the
instruction manual before operating.
Keep bystanders away - especially children and pets.

9
Beware of sharp blades - remove the spark plug lead
before maintenance.
No naked flames.
Appropriate ear, eye, and head protection (PPE) must be
worn.
Add engine oil.
Only refuel with unleaded petrol.
Hot surfaces will burn the hands!
Warning! The lawn mower’s exhaust gas contains
toxic substances. Do not run the engine in closed or
poorly-ventilated areas.
The blade continues to rotate for a period after the
machine is switched off. Do not touch the blade until all
the machine components have stopped completely.
The product complies with the applicable European
directives, and an evaluation method of conformity for
these directives was done.
The product complies with the applicable UK directives
and an evaluation method of conformity for these
directives was done.
Sound level data (96 dB), in accordance with Directive
2000/14/EC.

10
In The Box
Parts
1. Upper handle with soft grip
2. Start/stop bar
3. Handle tensioning knobs with nut M8 x 2
4. Grass collection bag
5. Lower handle
6. Safety flap
7. Height adjustment handle
8. Wheel
9. Engine
10. Steel deck
11. Handle fixing bolts x 4 (fitted on deck)
12. Cable clip
13. Rope guide
14. Spanner
15. Wrench
16. Start handle
17. Propulsion lever
You will also need:
• SAE 30 or 4-stroke oil
• Unleaded fuel
• Funnel
If there are any parts missing, please call the customer helpline
on 01904 727 509.

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1
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
16
17
11
14 15
3
12
13

12
Assembling the Lawn Mower
WARNING!
Always take care when removing the packaging, to
prevent damage to you or to the lawn mower.
This item requires a two-person lift to remove it from the
packaging. Make sure that you have sufficient space to
put the lawn mower down. Keep your feet apart so that
you have a stable position; bend at the knees and keep
your back straight.
Always recycle the packaging in accordance with local
recycling regulations.
Assembling the lower handle
1. Remove the packaging from the handle. Set the height
adjustment to the highest position, and align the lower
handle with the holes in the deck. Make sure the holes in the
lower handle are aligned with those in the support frame.
NOTE: Ensure the rope guide is on the right side, when you
stand behind the mower.
2. Fix the lower handle onto the deck firmly, using the handle
fixing bolts and spanner (supplied).

13
Assembling the upper handle
1. Lift the upper handle and lock it in place using the handle
tension knobs and tensioning bolts. Ensure the lower and
upper handles are firmly connected.
2. Ensure the rope guide is on the right side, when you stand
behind the mower. Engage the brake lever and pull the start
cord to hang it on the rope guide.
Assembling the grass bag
IMPORTANT!
Make sure the grass collection bag is in place before
starting the engine.
1. Attach the grass bag (4) to the frame by fixing all the
plastic hooks.

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2. Raise the safety flap and hook the collection bag onto the
mower. Release the safety flap.
Attach cable clips
Ensure that the cable clip (12) supplied is used to fix the cable to
the lower handle.
STOP!
Do not start the engine before putting 470ml of SAE 30 oil
into the engine.
Failure to do so will result in irreparable damage to the engine
and invalidate your warranty.

15
Preparing to Operate the
Lawn Mower
Filling with engine oil
IMPORTANT!
The following procedures and adjustments must
be performed before the engine is started. Do not
attempt to make any of these adjustments while the
engine is running.
This engine is shipped without oil or petrol; any oil residue is
from testing prior to shipping.
The engine must be filled with the correct grade of oil and petrol
before starting the engine.
Running the engine with a low oil level will cause irreparable
engine damage.
Always use high-quality detergent oil classified SAE 30 oil
(or equivalent, e.g. 5W 30, often termed as 4-stroke lawn
mower oil). Only use additives recommended by the engine
manufacturer. To prolong the life of your engine, it is important
that the oil is changed after the first 5 hours of use.
Using non-detergent oil can shorten the engine’s service life,
and using 2-stroke oil will damage the engine.
Check the engine oil level with the engine stopped and the
mower on a level surface.
1. Remove the oil filler dipstick and wipe oil from it with a clean
cloth.
2. Insert the dipstick into the oil filler neck and screw it in.

16
4. Before using for the first time, add 0.47 litres of oil (SAE 30).
Filling with engine fuel
WARNING!
Refuel in a well-ventilated area with the engine stopped.
Do not smoke or allow flames or sparks in the area where
the engine is refuelled or where petrol is stored. Avoid
repeated or prolonged contact with skin or inhalation of
vapour.
CAUTION!
Petrol is highly flammable and extreme caution must be
taken when handling or working with it. Keep out of the
reach of children.
1. Clean the area around the petrol filler cap before removing
the cap. Check the fuel level.
2. Refill the tank if the fuel level is low.
3. Always use clean, fresh unleaded petrol and purchase fuel in
quantities that can be used within 30 days.
4. Never mix oil with petrol.
5. To allow for expansion, carefully refuel and avoid overfilling or
spillage. There should be no fuel in the filler neck.
6. Clean up any overflow or splashes of petrol before starting
the engine. Tighten the filler cap after filling, hand tighten
only.
NOTE: The 41cm self propelled lawn mower has a maximum fuel
capacity of 800ml.
3. Then remove the dipstick and check the oil level. The oil
level must be between the Min. and Max. marks on the
dipstick. If near the lower level, fill to the upper level with the
recommended oil (SAE 30 or equivalent). Do not overfill.
Wipe away any spilt oil.
min. max.

17
Operation
Setting the cutting height
WARNING!
The blade can cause serious injury. Before adjusting the
mower height, stop the engine and wait for the mower
blade to come to a complete stop.
1. Pull the lever towards the wheel, then move it forward or
backward to adjust the cutting height.
2. Move it to any one of the 5 positions for the desired cutting
height.
3. Return the lever into the securing plate.
Position Approx. cutting height (mm)
125mm
230mm
345mm
460mm
575mm
NOTE: Never use the lowest cutting height for the first cut of
the season or in drought conditions. Only about one third of the
grass height should be cut at this time.
2
1

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Starting the engine
WARNING!
Do not operate the machine in enclosed or
poorly-ventilated areas, as the exhaust gas contains
toxic substances. Keep hands, feet, hair and clothing
away from all moving parts of the lawn mower. The
exhaust and other parts of the lawn mower will become
hot during use. Make sure that the blade is securely
fastened before starting the engine.
Starting procedure: Quick guide
Step 1
Press primer
bulb 3~5 times
Step 2
Stop/Start
lever closed
Step 3
Pull starting
knob
Step 4
Propulsion-lever
closed
To start the engine, make sure that the spark plug cap is
located on the plug and the machine is filled with sufficient oil
and petrol.
Step 1 - When starting a cold engine, press down the primer
fully 3-5 times.
Pressing the primer button too many times could cause the
engine to flood.
A
NOTE: When starting a warm engine, the primer does not need
to be used. If the engine stops due to a lack of petrol, refill and
press down the primer 3-5 times.

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Step 2 - Start/stop bar activation
Pull the start/stop bar towards you.
Step 3 - Pull cord handle
With the right hand, slowly but firmly pull the starter handle and
rope from the pull cord guide until you feel resistance, then pull
briskly. If the engine fails to start after three pulls, repeat the
start process. When the engine starts, gently return the starter
rope to the pull cord guide.
To stop, release stop/start bar
Step 4 - Self propelled mowing
Engage the propulsion lever, the mower will move forward
automatically with, release the propulsion lever, the mower will
stop move.
Engine start
Engine stop

20
Failure to start
If the engine won’t start after you have operated the starter sev-
eral times, the engine may be flooded with excess fuel.
Use the following procedure to clean and start a flooded engine:
A. Release the stop/start bar.
B. Remove the spark plug, dry it, and then reinstall it.
Install the spark plug carefully by hand, to avoid cross-threading.
After the plug is seated, tighten it 1/8 to 1/4 turns with the
socket spanner to compress the washer.
C. Pull the stop/start bar towards the upper handle.
D. Operate the starter, as described above.
Mowing
WARNING!
Always observe the strictest safety procedures when
using the lawn mower.
Start the engine and allow it to run.
Keep a firm grip on the upper handle and stop/start bar; clutch
the propulsion lever, and walk along with it. Never run with the
mower. Be very careful when mowing uneven or rough ground.
Maintain a stable footing.
Do not use the mower on a steep slope of more than 15°. If
mowing across slopes, never mow up and down. Be careful
when changing the direction of the mower on a slope.
NOTE: The best result will be achieved if the grass is dry. Wet
grass will tend to clog the blade and the grass collection system.
Grass grows at different rates at different times of the year.
Never use the lowest cutting height for the first cut of the
season or in drought conditions. Only about one third of the
grass height should be cut at this time.
If the lawn mower will not collect the cuttings efficiently, the
grass discharge chute may be blocked, the grass bag may be
full, or the underside of the mower deck may be clogged.