How to assemble a lawn mower from the box

• Funnel
• Clean cloth
• Work gloves

Before you start, lay everything out on a soft surface (the flattened box works) and check it against the parts list in your manual.

• Mower deck with engine or motor
• Lower and upper handle with cable clips
• Grass box frame and fabric or plastic box
• Mulching plug or side-discharge chute
• Engine oil and dipstick, or battery and charger

1. 1

   Step 1: Lift the mower out of the box by its deck, and cut away any packing ties around the handle without nicking the control cables.

2. 2

   Step 2: Unfold the lower handle into its mounting points and set it at the height you want, then fit the upper handle and tighten the quick-release knobs.

3. 3

   Step 3: Clip the throttle and blade brake cables to the handle with the clips supplied so they cannot snag or kink.

4. 4

   Step 4: Build the grass box by clipping the fabric onto its frame or joining the plastic halves, then hang it on the rear of the deck under the flap.

5. 5

   Step 5: For a petrol mower: with the mower level, add the grade and amount of engine oil the manual specifies, check it on the dipstick, then add fresh petrol in the separate fuel tank.

6. 6

   Step 6: For a battery mower: charge the battery fully on its charger before first use, then slide it into its bay until it clicks.

7. 7

   Step 7: Set the cutting height with the lever to a high setting for the first cut, then start the mower as the manual describes, with your feet clear of the deck.

• Starting a petrol mower before adding oil, which can wreck the engine within seconds.
• Putting oil in the fuel tank or petrol in the oil filler.
• Pinching a control cable in the handle fold, so the blade brake does not work.