California Trimmer Mower User manual

CALIFORNIA TRIMMER
MOWER MAINTENANCE MANUAL

California Trimmer Mower
Maintenance Manual
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California Trimmer Mower
Maintenance Manual
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Table of Contents
Section 1: General Information Page
Handle Assembly Instructions 4
Maintenance –All Models 6
Oil Change Procedures –All Models 9
Height Adjustment –All Models 10
Catcher and Bale Adjustment –All Models 12
Section 2: Home Owner Model Page
Clutch Adjustment 14
Reel Adjustment 16
Roller Adjustment 18
Roller Assembly 20
Trouble Shooting
“Reel won’t turn” 22
“Mower won’t propel” 23
Parts List and Mower Schematics 24
Section 3: Commercial Models Page
Clutch 27
Reel Adjustment 30
Roller Adjustment 33
Drive Shaft Disassembly 35
Drive Shaft Assembly 36
Roller Assembly 42
Trouble Shooting
“Reel won’t turn” 46
“Mower won’t propel” 47
Parts List and Mower Schematics 48

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Maintenance Manual
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Handle Assembly Instructions
Home Owner Model
Tools Required:
2 1/2” Wrenches
2 7/16” Wrenches
1 3/8” Wrench
1 Flat-Blade Screw Driver
1 Pliers w/cutters
To determine Left or Right, position yourself in the operator’s position behind the mower.
Handle Assembly
Connect the bottom and top section of the handle using (4) each 5/16” bolts, washers
and nylock nuts. Tighten using the two (2) 1/2” wrenches.
Note: The extension forks of the top section should be mounted to the outside of the
bottom handle section. The bolts should go through the handle to the inside and the
washers and nuts go on the inside of the handle.
Clutch Rod Assembly
Remove the shipping plastic and fully thread the coupling nut attached to the
top section of the clutch rod onto the bottom section and tighten jam nuts.
Secure the clutch rod to the clutch lever on the handle with the supplied cotter
pin.
Roller-Lift Straps
The roller-lift straps are connected to the roller-lift lever on the top section of the handle.
Attach the roller-lift straps to the roller-lift toggle using a 1/4” X 1” bolt and nylock nut. The
roller-lift straps should straddle (one on each side of) the roller-lift toggle. Tighten using
the two (2) 7/16” wrenches.
Throttle Cable Assembly
Just below the hand grip on the right-hand side, using the flat-
blade screw driver and 3/8” wrench, remove the two (2) nuts from
their screws. Attach the throttle control lever to the top handle
piece with the two (2) screws and nuts, and tighten. Use the
provided spring clip to secure throttle cable to the handle.

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Maintenance Manual
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Handle Assembly Instructions
Heavy Duty & Commercial Models
Tools Required:
2 1/2” Wrenches
1 7/16” Wrenches
1 3/8” Wrench
1 Flat-Blade Screw Driver
1 Pliers w/cutters
To determine Left or Right, position yourself in the operator’s position behind the mower.
Handle Assembly
Connect the bottom and top section of the handle using (4) each 5/16” bolts, washers
and nylock nuts. Tighten using the two (2) 1/2” wrenches.
Note: The extension forks of the top section should be mounted to the outside of the
bottom handle section. The bolts should go through the handle to the inside and the
washers and nuts go on the inside of the handle.
Clutch Rod Assembly
Remove the shipping plastic and fully thread the coupling nut attached to the
top section of the clutch rod onto the bottom section and tighten jam nuts.
Secure the clutch rod to the clutch lever on the handle with the supplied cotter
pin.
Roller-Lift Rod
The roller-lift rod is connected to the roller-lift lever on the top section of the handle.
Insert the bottom end of the roller-lift rod into the roller-lift toggle, secure roller-lift rod to
roller-lift toggle with a cotter pin.
Throttle Cable Assembly
Just below the hand grip on the right-hand side, using the flat-blade
screw driver and 3/8” wrench, remove the two (2) nuts from their
screws. Attach the throttle control lever to the top handle piece with
the two (2) screws and nuts, and tighten. Use the provided spring
clip to secure throttle cable to the handle.

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Maintenance Manual
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Mower Maintenance
Heavy Duty & Commercial Models
6 4 1 2 4 6
6 3 5 6 3

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Maintenance Manual
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Mower Maintenance
Heavy Duty & Commercial Models
Commercial Use –Daily Inspection
1. Check Engine oil level. The oil should be filled to the engine specifications (see engine
owner’s manual)
2. Check air cleaner. Some Honda engines have an oil bath filter. Oil should be added to
maintain optimum level. Inspect sponge filter for debris (dirt, grass etc.). Briggs engines
have a dry filter. Inspect for debris (dirt, grass etc.).
3. Check engine and reel chain tension, adjust if necessary. All chains should have about a
1/4” of play. Loosen chain-tensioner bolt, adjust tensioner setting chain to desired
tension and re-tighten bolt. Check roller chain tension once each week. To tighter roller
chain raise roller aligning the roller shaft parallel to the drive shaft. This puts the roller at
the furthest point of movement.
4. Grease reel grease fittings (zerk fittings).
5. Grease clutch forks. Put grease on shaft between the ends of the forks.
6. Grease zerk fittings on front and rear wheels. Steady rest, center drive shaft support
bracket, should be filled once a month.
7. Lube chain with engine oil. Use a paint brush to apply oil to chain. Momentarily run
machine to spin off excess oil before use.
Non-Commercial Use Only
1. Follow the same procedures listed above after every eight hours of use.

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Maintenance Manual
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Notes
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Maintenance Manual
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Oil Change Procedure
All models
Preparation for mowers with oil bath air filters.
Note: This method of oil change should be done when the gas tank is low on fuel. If the fuel tank is full,
gas could leak around the gas cap.
1. Undo wing nut and remove oil bath filter reservoir, both top and bottom pieces.
Note:
2. Remove carefully, check for the reservoir gasket, which may stick to the bottom section of the oil
reservoir.
3. The GX series engine has two oil plugs, one in the front and one in the back, for draining oil from
the engine. However, the position of the engine on the frame does not offer easy access and can
cause the old oil to pour onto the mower, requiring extra clean-up time. It is easier to remove the
oil-fill plug. Tip the mower forward and pour oil into a can or plastic container.

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Maintenance Manual
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Height Adjustment
All models
Two different ranges of height adjustments are available. The higher range is achieved with the “caster
bracket” (no. 1) in the bottom hole (as shown). The lower range is achieved with the “caster bracket” (no.
1) in the top hole.
With the “caster bracket” (no.1) in the lower hole, the “height adjustment lever” (no. 2) will utilize the top 4
to 5 holes of the “quadrant” (no. 3).
With the “caster bracket” (no. 1) in the top hole, the “height adjustment lever” (no. 2) will utilize the bottom
4 to 5 holes of the “quadrant” (no. 3).
In either height range, moving the “height adjustment lever” (no. 2) towards the front of the mower will
raise the height in small increments. Moving the “height adjustment lever” (no. 2) towards the back of the
mower will lower the height in small increments.
1
3 2 4 5 6
To change the range setting, take the “height adjustment lever” (no. 2) out of the holes of the “quadrant”
(no. 3) and move it in the direction of the change. Back if the “caster bracket” (no.1) is being moved to
the top hole or forward if the “caster bracket” (no.1) is being moved to the bottom hole. Loosen the
“caster wheel nut” (no. 6).
Remove the nut on the “tie rod” (no. 4), slide the “tie rod” (no. 4) out, being careful not to lose the washer
between the “adjuster bracket” (no. 5) and the frame (washer not shown). Slide the “tie rod” (no. 4)
through the desired hole of the side plate, “caster bracket” (no. 1), and the other side plate. Place the
washer (not shown) on the “tie rod” (no. 4) between the frame and “adjuster bracket (no. 5). Install the nut
on the “tie rod” (no. 4). Do not over tighten this nut, the height adjuster pivots at this point. Tighten the
“caster wheel nut” (no. 6).

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Maintenance Manual
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Catcher and Bale Adjustment
All models
The “V” of the catcher bale is offset to one side, making one side shorter than the other. On 20 and 25
commercial mowers the short side goes to the left, as shown. On the Home Owner mower the short side
goes to the right.
The catcher has three “bale” holes on each side to accommodate the bale at various height settings.
After setting mower to the desired height, see height adjustment, put the bale in the holes that positions
the catcher as level to the ground as possible.
Bale holes
Short leg “V”
After determining the best “bale holes”, attach the bale to the catcher using a washer and cotter pin on
each side.

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Maintenance Manual
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Notes
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Maintenance Manual
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Home Owner Model
Clutch Adjustment
Tools Required:
2 1/2” Wrenches
1 1/8” Allen wrench
CAUTION:
ALL ADJUSTMENT MUST BE MADE WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF.
Step 1
With the clutch rod pointing down toward the engine in the engaged position (see above) the tip of
the belt guard is just off the belt.
Adjust by bending the belt guard up or down so that the tip of the belt guard is approximately the
thickness of a dime off the belt in the engaged position. Make sure the belt guard doesn’t ride on the
belt.

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Maintenance Manual
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Home Owner Model
Clutch Adjustment
BRACKET SWIVEL BEARING BOTTOM PULLEY
Step 2
With the clutch rod pointing up in the disengaged position (see above) make sure the idler bearing does
not ride on the bottom pulley. The idler bearing should be within one quarter (1/4) of an inch from the
bottom pulley. The belt release bracket should be above parallel to the frame, thus creating a slight bend
in the belt.
Adjustments to the idler is made in the engaged position by loosening the set screw in the swivel and
sliding the clutch rod up or down. Reset the set screw in the swivel when adjustment is complete.
Adjustments to the release bracket are done after the belt bearing is positioned correctly. In the
disengaged position, loosen the nut on the bearing and position the belt release bracket above parallel to
the frame. Retighten the nut when adjustment is complete.

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Maintenance Manual
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Home Owner Model
Cutter Bar to Reel Adjustment
Tools Required:
1 Adjustable Wrench or 1/4” Open-end Wrench
CAUTION:
ALL ADJUSTMENTS MUST BE MADE WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF.
The reel on the Home Owner model is fixed and stationary to the frame. The cutter bar is adjusted to the
reel. The cutter bar adjusting screws raise and lower the cutter bar in relation to the reel.
Step 1
Disengage the clutch, as shown below, before adjusting the cutter bar.
Step 2
Turn one adjusting screw in small increments until the cutter bar touches the reel. Turn the reel with one
hand. Rest the palm of one hand on the caster bracket and pull the blade on the reel with the fingers of
that hand. The reel should move about the distance of the space between the blades. As the reel is
turned it will make the sound of metal scraping.

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Maintenance Manual
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Home Owner Model
Cutter Bar to Reel Adjustment –(Continued)
Step 3
Repeat the above process with the opposite adjusting screw.
Step 4
Slide a piece of thin paper, such as a page from a phone book or newspaper, at small intervals, all the
way across the cutter bar to test for proper adjustment. When adjusted properly the paper will be cut
cleanly and evenly across the entire width of the mower.

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Maintenance Manual
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Home Owner Model
Roller Adjustment Procedures
Tools Required:
1 5/32” Allen Wrench
1 7/16” Wrench
1 Screw Driver
CAUTION:
ALL ADJUSTMENTS MUST BE MADE WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF.
Step 1
Loosen roller “U” Bolts and set screws on both sides of the drive roller. This will loosen the drive roller on
the yoke.
Step 2
Pull the drive roller back, tensioning the chain taut. Make sure the drive roller is in the furthest position
from the drive shaft. If the drive roller is not in the furthest most position, the chain will become relaxed.

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Maintenance Manual
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Home Owner Model
Roller Adjustment Procedures –(Continued)
To Check
Move the drive roller up, past the furthest most position and the drive chain will become slack on top.
Move the drive roller down, past the furthest most position and the chain will become slack on the bottom.
Make sure the bolt heads on the sprocket clear the yoke when it spins. Tighten the “U” Bolt and set
screw on the right side.
Step 3
With the chain taught, in the furthest most position from the drive shaft, make sure the drive roller is
parallel to the back cross piece of the yoke. Tighten the left “U” Bolt and set screw on the clamp.

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Maintenance Manual
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Home Owner Model
Roller Assembly Procedures
Tools Required:
1 1/2” Wrench
One end plate of the roller has three (3) holes and the other end plate has six (6) holes.
Step 1
Starting with the end that has three (3) holes, bolt the bearing holder and bearing, using the bolts, lock
washers and washers. Do not tighten. Repeat on the other end.
Step 2
Slide the roller shaft into the roller from the six (6) hole side. This will align the bearing holders. Tighten
the bearing holders on both end plates.

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Maintenance Manual
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Home Owner Model
Roller Assembly Procedures –(Continued)
Step 3
Place the sprocket spacers over the remaining three (3) holes.
Install a “30 Tooth” sprocket using the bolts, lock washers and washers. Try to center the sprocket as
much as possible.
Make sure the roller spins freely. If prior to installation of the “30 Tooth” sprocket the roller spun freely,
but now does not, add a washer under each of the spacers.