Rover Domestic Domestic Rotary Lawnmower User manual

DOMESTICROTARYLAWNMOWER
OWNER’S MANUAL

SAFETYINSTRUCTIONS
•Never mowwhile barefoot or wearing open sandalsor thongs.Wear long trousersand heavy
shoes
•Knowyour controls. Read the owner’smanualcarefully. Learn howto stop the engine quickly
in anyemergency
•Make sure the lawn isclear ofsticks, stones, bones,wire and debris.They could be thrown
bythe blade
•Stop the engineand disconnectthe sparkplug wire before clearing blockages,checking,or
working on the mower.
•Before using,alwaysvisuallyinspectto see thatblades, blade boltsand cutter assemblyare
not worn or damaged.Replaceworn or damaged bladesin setstopreserve balance.
DAMAGED BLADES AND WORN BOLTSARE MAJOR HAZARDS.
•Checkall nuts, boltsand screwsoften;alwaysbe sure the mower isina safeoperating
condition. Use onlygenuine replacementparts.
•Refuel outdoorsonly. Do notsmoke while fuellingengine. Add fuelbefore startingtheen-
gine. Never remove the cap offthefuel tankor add fuel while theengine isrunning or the
engine ishot.Iffuel is spilled,do not attempt tostartthe enginebut movethe machineaway
fromthe area ofthespill and avoidcreatinganysource of ignition until fuelvapourshave
dissipated.
•Do not mowwhilst people, especiallychildren or petsare in themowing area.
•Replace worn or faulty silencers (muffler)
•Mowonlyin good daylight.
•Never use themower unlessthegrass catcher or guards(rear flap)provided bythe
manufacturer are inposition.
•Starttheengine carefullywith feet well awayfromthe blade.
•Do not operatethe enginein aconfined space where exhaust fumes(carbon monoxide) can
collect.
•Stop the enginewhenever you leave the mower, even for amoment.
•Do not allowchildren or people unfamiliarwith theseinstructionsto use themower.
•Store the mower in a well-ventilated roomawayfromnaked flamessuchas maybefound in
hot water heaters.
•Do not over-speed the engine or alter governor settings.Excessivespeed isdangerousand
shortensthe mower life.
•Itisadvisabletowear suitable eye protection when operating a mower.
•Turn the fuel offatthe conclusion of mowing and reduce thethrottle setting duringengine
run-out.
•Store fuel ina cool placein a container specificallydesignedfor the purpose. In general,
plastic containersare unsuitable.
•Stop the engine, disconnectthesparkplug wire and inspectthe mower if :
a) the mower beginsto vibrateabnormally; or
b) after strikinga foreignobject.
•Never cut grasswhile walking backwards.
•Stop the enginebefore pushing the mower acrossgravel drives,walksor roads.
• Walk,never run.
•Mowacrosstheface ofslopes, never up and down. Exercise extremecaution when changing
direction onslopes. Do notmowexcessivelysteep slopes.
•Never pickup or carrya mower when it isoperating.
CAUTION
To avoid engine damagedrain theoil and fuel from the enginebefore turning
the lawnmower over in anydirection.
1

MANUAL CONTENTS Page
• Safetyinstructions 1
• Introduction 2
• Settingup 3
• Operation- All Models 3, 4& 5
- MulchModels (only) 4& 5
• Maintenance - All Models 6, 7& 8
- Mulch Models (only) 6, 7& 8
• Mulch Mowing Information 8& 9
• Warrantyconditions 10
CARTON CONTENTS: Quantity
• Domestic rotarylawnmower 1
• Plastickitbag (containing Owner’smanualsand handle barfasteners) 1
• Plasticgrass catcher upper half 1
• Plasticgrass catcher lower half 1
NB. Mowerswhich have the Mulchoption will havethe mulchplug fitted into the rear chute ofthe
mower.
If whenunpackingyour new lawnmoweritis foundthat thereare itemsmissing contact
your nearest authorizedRover Mowers service dealeroragent.
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of thisdomesticrotary lawnmower.
This manual coversthe setting up,operation and maintenanceofthedomestic
rotarylawnmower. Please read and understand thisowner’smanual before usingthe mower. If
anypoint isunclear, contact Rover Mowers or any Rover Mowers authorized service dealeror
agent.
The safetyofthe userand
othersinvolved.Personal
injury mayresultshould this
informationbe
disregarded.
WARNING
Followthese instructions
to avoid mower damage
and possible lossof
warranty.
CAUTION
To emphasise specialinformation the following WARNING and CAUTION highlights are
used.
2

3
SETTINGUP
Plastic grass catcher assembly
• Refer to the “Set UpInstructions”attachedtothe grasscatcher lower half.
Engine oil
Oilmust be addedbefore attemptingto start theengine otherwise damageto theengine
will occur.
Refer to the engine owner’smanual.
The 4 stroke engine fitted to thelawnmower is shippedwith no oil in the sump.
Engine fuel
Refer to the engine owner’smanual.
Use only fresh unleaded fuel in the lawnmower engine.
OPERATION -All mowers
Adjusting the cut height– refer figure 2.
The lawnmower 13 height settingsare controlled by the
height adjustment lever locatedat the rear right handwheel.
• Grasp theheightadjustmentlever (1) and pull thelever
awayfrom thebasetodisengage the lever fromthe
height adjustment rack(2).
• Move the lever either forwardsor backwardstothe
desired position andreleasethe lever so astoengage
in the height adjustmentrack.
When selectingthe cut heightstand to the rear ofthemachine with your feet
well clear of the cutting blades.
WARNING
Figure1.Grass Catcher—Assembled
GrassCatcher
Upper Half
GrassCatcher
Lower Half
Figure2.Heightadjustment
(2) (1)

Installing the grasscatcher– refer figures3and 4.
• Raise therear flapofthe mower.
• Grasp thegrasscatcher by the tophandle and positionthe grass catcher againstthe rear of
the mower. Refer to Figure3.
• Lower the rear flapsothatthebackedge ofthe rear flap hooksover the matchinglipon the
grass catcher.Refer to Figure 4.
Removing the grass catcher
• Raise therear flapofthe mower to releasethe grass catcher.
• Liftthe grasscatcherclearof the mower and lower the rear flap.
Emptying the grasscatcher - refer figure 5.
• Removethe grasscatcher (asper the instructionsabove).
• Tiltthe grass catcher with the opening downwards.
• Grip the catcher handle ofthe grasscatcher and shakethe
clippingsout. Refer tofigure 5.
OPERATION -Mulch Mowers (only)
Installing the Mulch Plug
4
The grasscatcher should onlybe fitted orremoved when the engine is
stopped.Never raisethe rear flap when the engine isrunning.
WARNING
Figure3.Grass catcher fitment Figure4.Grass catcher fitted
Rear Flap
Figure5.Emptying grass catcher
The mulch plugshouldonlybe fitted or removed when the engine isstopped.
Never raise the rear flap when the engine isrunning.
WARNING

OPERATION -Mulch Mowers (only)
Installing the Mulch Plug (Continued)
• Withthe engine stopped,raisetherear flap ofthe mower and remove the grass catcher (iffitted)
• Insertthelong righthand side ofthe mulch plug firstinto the rear chute ofthe mower. Refer to
figure 6.
• Rotate the left handsideintothe rear chute ofthe mower and push it asfarforward aspossible.
• Align the lugs(1) (on the underside of the mulchplug) either sideofthe rear chute(2) then lower
the mulch plug until itsits down flat ontothe top ofthe rear chute inthe mower base. Referto
figure 7.
• Lower the rear flap.
Removing the Mulch Plug
• Withthe engine stopped,raisetherear flap ofthe mower.
• Grasp therear of the mulch plug and lift up andawayfrom the mower. Refer to figure 7.
• Guide the mulch plug out byrotating the shorter lefthand side totheright and then guidingthe
longer right hand section until clear of the mower. Refer to figure 6.
OPERATION -All mowers
To Start the engine
Refer to the engine owner’smanual for detailed starting procedure.
Ensure that the engineoil isatthecorrect leveland thatthe fueltankisfull offresh unleaded fuel.
• Move the throttlecontrol lever to the :- “CHOKE”
position(where fitted) - orthe “FAST” position
and prime theengine.Refer totheengine manual.
• Grasp rope handle and pullslowlyuntil resistanceis
felt. Thenpull the cord rapidlytoovercome
compression, prevent kickbackand start engine.
Repeat ifnecessary.
• If a“CHOKE” isfitted move the throttle control
lever to the“FAST” positionafter the engine
starts.
Figure6. Mulchplug installation(A) Figure7. Mulchplug installation(B)
(1)
(2)
5
Figure8.Throttle Control -
(“CHOKE” Position)
To stop

6
MAINTENANCE - All mowers
To Stop the engine
Move the throttlecontrol lever to the “STOP” position. Referfigure 8.
Waittillthe enginecomestoa complete stop before removingor fitting the grasscatcheror mulch
plug to the mower, or attempting any maintenanceworkon themower.
Engine air cleaner
Refer to the engine owner’smanual for detailed maintenanceinstructions.
The engine air cleaner elementsmust be servicedafterevery25 hoursofnormal mowing. The
elements mustbe serviced more regularlyif the mower isusedin dusty conditions. Replace
immediatelyiftheelement isdamaged.
Spark plug
Refer to the engine owner’smanual for detailed maintenanceinstructions.
For bestresults,remove the sparkplug every50 hoursfor gap checking and replaceevery100
hoursofuse. Replacethesparkplug at any timeifitisfound thattheelectrodesare pitted or
burned or the porcelaincracked.For replacementrefer to engine owner’smanualfor correctspark
plug.
Muffler
Check the condition ofthemuffler periodicallyforrustand cracks.Replace iffound tobe damaged
asthiscanlead to increased exhaustnoise. Replace onlywith a genuine original equipment part.
Blades - refer figure 9.
Check the condition oftheblades and centralfastenersatregular intervals, or after strikinga solid
object, or ifthe mower beginsto vibrate abnormally.The bladeswithuse,will lose theirsharp
edge and the qualityofthegrassfinish will deteriorate.Whenthishappens, allthe blades should
be removed andreplaced with anewset ofblades.Alwaysuse genuine Rover replacement
bladesand onlyreplace bladesinsetsto maintainbalance.
Cutting Assembly
• Withthe engine stopped,removethe sparkpluglead and grasscatcher or mulch plug.
• Set the height of cut lever to the high cutposition, and fold the handle bars.
• Tiltthe mower so thesparkplugisup.
• Inspectthe cutting assembly for damageand wear.
• Check the discretaining bolts. Tighten thecentreboltto57-62Nm.
• Return the mower to itsnormalposition and re-attachthe sparkplug lead.
Before carrying out any maintenance on the mower remove thesparkpluglead
fromthe sparkplugtoprevent accidental starting.
WARNING
Alwaysensure theengine isstopped and the sparkplug leadisremoved before
attempting any maintenanceon themower.
Secure the mower safelywhen tilted upwardsto access the underside.
WARNING

7
MAINTENANCE - All mowers
Blade Change- refer figures9and 10.
• Withthe engine stopped, sparkplug lead and grass
catcher or mulchplug removed,open the discharge
flap and prop intheopen position. Refer to figure 9.
• Set the mower to the highcut position and fold the
handle bar down.
• Rotate the cutting assemblycarefullyto accessthe
blade retaining bolts. Refertofigure 10.
• Using glovesand a suitable spanner, remove the
blade assembly.
• Retain the“D” platesand discard the bladesand
fasteners.
NB. Mowersfitted with acircular cutting discmust be
fitted with a “D” Plate(asshown in figure 10).These
partsare availablefrom any Rover Mowers authorized
service dealer oragent.
• Fit newbladesand fastenin the correct order. Refer to
figure 10.
• Tighten the blade retaining nutsfirmlyto16Nm.
• Removethe flap prop,closethe discharge flap andre-
attachthesparkpluglead.
Cleaning
To ensure safeoperation and long lifeitisrecommended to clean themower after everyuse.This
will prevent corrosion,overheating and fireriskwhile ensuringultimate performance.
Washport (where fitted)
• Placethe mower outdoorson aflatsurface.
• Set the height tomaximum.
• Withthe engine stopped connecta garden hose with a snap on
connection, to the washport fitted to the inside face ofthe
cutting chamber.Refer figure 11.
• Turn the garden hose on.
• Return to the mower and startthe engine and run at fullspeed
for 1 minute.
• Stop the engine andturn offthe garden hose.
• Removethe garden hosefrom thewashport.
• Inspectthe underside ofthemower, ifnotcompletely clean
use garden hosetoflush out remaining debris.
Alwaysensure theengine isstopped and the sparkplug leadisremoved before
attempting any maintenanceon themower.
Alwaysreplace bladesand bladefixingsin completesetstomaintainbalance.
WARNING
Figure10.Blade Attachments
“D” plate
Figure11. WashportConnection
Figure9.Bladechange
Prop
Flap

8
Cleaning the Underside of the Mower
• Placethe mower outdoorson aflatsurface.
• Set the cutheightto maximum.
• Withthe engine stopped,removethe grasscatcheror mulch plug and lift open the discharge
flap.
• Use a garden hoseto wash outallthe grassclippings.
• Inspectthe underside and repeatthe cycleifstill notclean.
Cleaning the Upper sideof the Mower
• Use a dry clothor soft brushtoremove all looseclippings.
• Use a damp clothwith milddetergent toclean awayoil or other grime.
• Washthe grasscatcher and/ormulch plug separatelyfrom the mower with a hose.Wash all
clippingsoutoftheinside, outsideand fromthe grass catcher mesh.
• Let themower drybefore storing.
MAINTENANCE - Mulch mowers (only)
Mulching Equipment
For optimummulching performance
• The mulch bladesare to bekeptsharp.
• Maintain the bladesharpening angle when sharpening.
• Keep thecuttingedge feather freewhen sharpening.
• Keep theunderside ofthe mower deckand themulch plugfree of build-up.
• Refer to the “Cleaning” section onpage 7 and 8.
MULCH MOWINGINFORMATION
Somemowersare fitted with anoption formulchmowing.
Amulchplug issuppliedwith thesemowersand itisinstalled inthe rear discharge chute(as
noted in the “OPERATION” section of thismanual)to performmulchmowing.
The following information providesadvice onmulchmowing.
MULCH MOWING
The mulchmowing setup reduces the grassclippingsinto veryfineparticles.
The designallowsfor the even distribution ofthe grassparticlesat the base ofthe lawn.
The mulched clippingscan then:
• Breakdown quickly, releasing nutrientsintothe soil,saving on fertilizer costs.
• Reduce evaporation of moisture from thesoil which reduceswatering costsand effort.
• Help to controltemperatureextremesprotecting the rootsofthe grass.
• Assistin controlling soil erosion.
Alwaysensure theengine isstopped and the sparkplug leadisremoved before
attempting any maintenanceon themower.
CAUTION
Do not hose theengine aswater can damage theair cleaner and ignition system.
CAUTION

9
MULCH MOWINGINFORMATION (continued)
BENEFITS TO YOUR LAWN
Research hasshown that lawnsare usually cut tooshort,
Grass, likeanyother plantlife,relieson photosynthesisto regenerate and survive.
Reduced leafsize (fromcutting too low) can seriouslyeffect alawn by:
• Making iteasyprey for disease.
• Encouraging weedstotake hold.
• Exposing the soil to:
- greater evaporation
- temperature extremes; and
- erosion
Raising the cut height andusingmulchmowing followsthe bestpractice for nurturing ahealthier
moreattractivelawn with lesswater usage.
BENEFITS FOR YOU
Because you mulchasyou mowthe timeand costsavingsare alsosignificant:
• Eliminating raking of leavesbeforemowing (Mulchmowing picksup and convertsfallen
leavesintomulch).
• Eliminating raking ofcutgrass
• Savestimespent emptying thecatcher.
• Automaticallydisposingofgrassclippings.
• Eliminating the need to disposeof clippingsattherefusetip.
USEFUL MULCH MOWING TIPS
Mulchmowing isan artform and to produce thebest resultsconsistently,followtheseuseful hints:
• Do not attempt tomulchifthe grass is toowet.
Wetgrasstendstoclump togetherand doesnot evenly spread out.
It alsoclogsuptheunderside ofthe base.
• Do not mulchmowon too lowacutting height.
Remember themaximumcutshould be 25mm off the top ofthegrass,or 1/3rd the grass
(blade) height, whichever isthelesseramount.Refer tofigure 12.
• Do not pushthe mowertoofast.
To obtain the bestfinishit maybenecessary
to regulate the ground speed.
• Run the engine at fullthrottle.
Running the engine at lowspeed doesnot
allowthe bladesto mulchthegrassefficiently.
• Keep the mulch blades sharp.
The mulch bladesare designed to cutand re-
cutthe bladesof grass.
If the mulchbladesare notkeptsharp,
mulchingperformancewill be reduced.
• Keep the undersideof themower and
mulch plugclean.
Build-up ofgrassunder the mower base blockstheairflowcreatedbythe mulch blade and
reducesthe mulchingperformance.
If the conditionsfor mulch mowingare notideal and some clippingtrailsare visible after
cutting it maybe necessaryto:
1. Fitthe grass catcher andcatchmow.
2. Re-mowover the visible clippings
3. Raisethecut height.
4. Rakethe clippingsup after mowing.
Figure12.Grass height

10

WarrantyConditions
Australia&NewZealandOnly
Rover MowersLimited warrant that this machine isfree fromdefects in materialand workmanship.
Thiswarrantyislimited to making good or replacing anypartwhich appearsupon inspection by
the manufacturer or hisagentto be defective inmaterialor workmanship.
The warrantyfor the engine used to power thismachine maydiffer from thewarrantyfor the other
components.Refer to the engine warrantystatementin the EngineOwner’sManual which has
been included with this machine. Asthe warranty maydiffer,you are advised to read theengine
warrantycarefully.
For other itemsthiswarrantyshall applyfor a period of 12 monthsfrom dateofpurchasefor
domesticuseonly. However theseitemsare not warranted for commercialor industrial use.
Thiswarrantydoesnot obligate themanufacturer,hisagentsor dealerstobear thetransport costs
incurred in the repair or replacement ofanydefective part.Thiswarrantyexcludesfairwear and
tear, or anydamagecaused by misuseor abuse.Partssuchasblades,blade bolts,V-belts, and
sparkplugs, whichcan be subjected to use beyond theirnormal intended working capacityare
also excluded.
Thiswarrantyisvoid if partsother than genuine have been used or if repairsor alterationshave
been made without the manufacturer’swritten authority. Theabovewarrantydoesnotexclude any
conditionor warrantyimplied bythe Trade PracticesAct 1974 oranyother relevant
legislation which impliesany condition whichcannot beexcluded.
REMEMBER:
PROOF OF PURCHASE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER AND IS RECOMMENDED
PRIOR TOWARRANTY WORK BEING UNDERTAKEN. REPAIRS MUSTBE CARRIED OUT
BYANAUTHORISED DEALER OR AGENTAND GENUINE SPARE PARTSMUSTBEUSED
OR YOUR WARRANTY WILLBEVOID.
RoverMowers Limitedreserves the right to make changes and add improvements to its productatanytime
without notice or obligation. The Companyalso reserves theright to discontinue manufactureof anyproductat
its discretion at anytime.
Online warrantyregistration:
www.rovermowers.com.au
For your Record:
RetailersName:.............................................Address:.......................................................... .........
Phone No: ......................................................Model No:...................................................... ..........
Serial No:.......................................................DateofPurchase:............................................ ........
A.B.N.11 000 257303
Rover MowersLimited,PO.Box1235, EagleFarm. Qld.Australia. 4009
Phone: [phone]
04016593 © Copyright
2008
11
™
Revision