Snapper 7-4172 Manual

DEALER SET-UP INSTRUCTIONS for SNAPPER
21” STEEL DECK WALK BEHIND MOWERS
This SNAPPER Walk Behind Mower uses a handle engine control bail system to kill the engine for the SAFETY of
the operator. These mowers are designed for quick set-up. The Pre Sale Checklist must be completed and filled
out by the dealer as the items are checked off and/or performed and the Consumer/Operator Product Registration
card filled out and sent to the Customer Service department at SNAPPER when completed. CAUTION: Cutting
blades are extremely sharp. Wear heavy leather gloves when handling or working with blades. Be careful to avoid
cutting yourself on sharp edges of blade.
PUSH MODELS
STEP 1: Remove mower from shipping carton. Mower
shown as removed from shipping carton with handles
folded in Figure 1.
FIGURE 1
STEP 2: Remove and discard cardboard from between all
handles. Raise upper handle until it is in line and seats
into lower handle. Securely tighten upper handle T-Knobs
on both sides. See Figure 2.
FIGURE 2
STEP 3: Raise upper and lower handle until it seats into
position in the lower handle brackets. Securely tighten
lower handle T-Knobs on both sides. See Figure 3.
FIGURE 3
IMPORTANT: DO NOT tip machine with carburetor or
spark plug down. Oil from crankcase will saturate the air
filter and cause the engine to be hard to start or not start
at all. If contamination does occur, the air filter will have to
be replaced.
STEP 4: Tip mower back against the upper handle to gain
access to cutting blade. Remove foam shipping block
from cutting blade. This must be removed before starting
the engine.
INSTRUCTION No. 7-4172 (I.R. 11/10/00)
MOWER SHOWN AS REMOVED FROM SHIPPING
CARTON WITH HANDLES FOLDED (PUSH
MODEL SHOWN)
UPPER
HANDLE
UPPER
HANDLE
T-KNOB
LOWER
HANDLE
LOWER
HANDLE
T-KNOB
LOWER
HANDLE
BRACKET
UPPER HANDLE &
LOWER HANDLE
SHOWN IN POSITION
LOWER
HANDLE
T-KNOB

2
STEP 5: Handle height is adjustable for different height of
operators. Loosen the two nuts on the inside of each of
the lower handles. See Figure 4. Move the handle up or
down to the desired height.. Retighten all nuts securely
after adjustment. Pull blade control against upper handle,
pull rope start handle and loop into rope guide. See
Figure 5.
IMPORTANT! Some models are equipped with braces
that attach to the lower handle brackets and must be
loosened before handle height can be adjusted.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 5
STEP 6: Set-up is now complete for push models
without self-propelled drive system. For self-propelled
models continue to the “Self-Propelled Models” Section.
Proceed to the Pre Sale Checklist section of this
instruction to prepare mower for use.
SELF-PROPELLED MODELS
NOTE: The set-up procedure for self-propelled models is
basically the same as the Push Models. Follow the exact
procedure as described in Steps 1 thru 6 from the Push
Models section.
STEP 7: Check the clearance between the clutch cable
and clutch spring. NOTE: Clearance between spring and
cable is very important. Excessive clearance will cause
drive system NOT to operate when wheel drive control
handle is depressed. No clearance at all will cause
mower to continue to propel itself when wheel drive
control handle is released to stop mower movement.
Slide vinyl spring cover (located at the end of clutch
cable) up clutch cable to gain access to the end of spring
and cable loop. With wheel drive control handle
released, clearance between spring hook and cable loop
should be 1/16” to 1/8”. If clearance is more or less than
specified, unhook spring from clutch cable eye, then
adjust by rotating outer spring clockwise or counter
clockwise to achieve the proper clearance. Rehook
spring to clutch cable eye. Slide vinyl cover over the
spring when correct clearance is reached. See Figure 6.
FIGURE 6
LOWER HANDLE
BRACKET
LOOSEN
TWO NUTS
MOVE UPPER HANDLE
UP OR DOWN FOR
PROPER HEIGHT
CLUTCH CABLE
VINYL SPRING COVER
1/16”
-
1/8”
CLEARANCE
OUTER
SPRING
INNER
SPRING
CABLE
CLUTCH
CABLE EYE
SPRINGS
LOOP ROPE
INTO ROPE
GUIDE

3
STEP 8: Driven disc to drive disc adjustment is set up at
the factory. In case driven disc may need adjustment,
proceed as follows:
A. Place speed control rod in the number six speed
position. See Figure 7.
FIGURE 7
B. Remove driven disc spring from driven disc
assembly as shown. Loosen connector hex-nut. See
Figure 8.
FIGURE 8
C. Slide driven disc assembly over until 1/8” from
outside edge of drive disc. Maintaining the 1/8”
measurement, remove any looseness from the linkage.
This can be done by holding the transfer rod and
applying pressure to the left (as viewed from operators
position), then retighten the connector hex nut
securely. See Figure 9. Move shift rod to the number
one speed position, then back to the number six speed
position. Recheck the 1/8” measurement described
previously. Reinstall driven disc spring to driven disc
assembly.
FIGURE 9
STEP 9: Make sure all nuts and bolts are tight.
MOVE GROUND SPEED
CONTROL TO SIX SPEED
POSITION
SIXTH SPEED
POSITION
SIXTH
FIRST SPEED
POSITION
FIRST
DRIVEN DISC
ASSEMBLY
DRIVE DISC
DRIVEN
DISC
SPRING
TRANSFER
ROD
CONNECTOR
CONNECTOR HEX
NUT
1/8” MEASUREMENT
TO OUTSIDE EDGE
OF DRIVE DISC
SLIDE DRIVEN
DISC ASSEMBLY
TOWARD
OUTSIDE EDGE
CONNECTOR
TRANSFER
ROD
CONNECTOR
HEX NUT
OUTSIDE
EDGE
DRIVE
DISC

4
STEP 10: Install the grass bag adapter and secure to
the side of the deck with the two 5/16-18 nuts (P/N 9-
0951) provided in the hardware bag. See Figure 14.
FIGURE 14
STEP 11: Attach support rod to deck adapter by first
removing the nut and bolt at the rope guide pulley.
Reassemble with the support rod underneath the pulley
and the flattened end of the rod towards the engine.
Attach the support rod to the top of the engine. Remove
the nut and washer from the right rear corner of the
recoil housing as shown. Place the support rod over the
threaded engine stud. Install nut only (washer not
needed) and re-tighten the nut. See Figure 15.
FIGURE 15
STEP 12: Fold bag opening into a "Z" and install slider.
See Figure 16.
FIGURE 15
STEP 13: Install grass bag on the mower. Slide bag
connector over flange on the bag adapter. Attach grass
bag handle to middle handle cross bar. See Figure 17.
FIGURE 17
IMPORTANT: DO NOT tip machine with carburetor or
spark plug down. Oil from crankcase will saturate the air
filter and cause the engine to be hard to start or not start
at all. If contamination does occur, the air filter will have
to be replaced.
STEP 14: Tip mower back against the upper handle to gain
access to the underside of the cutting blade. Remove foam
shipping block from cutting blade. This must be removed
before starting the engine.
STEP 15: Pull blade control up against handle. Pull recoil
rope out and route rope around pulley guide on bag
adapter and loop rope into guide on upper handle. See
Figure 17.
STEP 16: Complete all items on Pre Sale Checklist.
SECURE ADATER TO
DECK WITH NUTS
SUPPORT ROD
ROPE GUIDE
NUT
PULL
GRASP SLIDER.
PULL Z-FOLD INTO
SLIDER
FIGURE 16
BLADE CONTROL
HANDLE
BAG CONNECTOR
ROPE
GUIDES

5
DEALER PRE SALE CHECKLIST for SNAPPER
21” STEEL DECK WALK BEHIND MOWERS
The following must be completed prior to sale. Refer to the previous pages in this instruction for detailed set-
up instructions. Review this checklist with purchaser. Check (✓) all items actually performed and sign this
checklist.
SET-UP CHECKLIST
_____ FOAM SHIPPING BLOCK removed from cutting blade.
_____ UPPER HANDLE & LOWER HANDLE secured in place and hardware tightened securely.
_____ SIDE CHUTE, RECYCLING COVER or GRASS BAG installed on mower.
_____ BLADE retaining bolt(s) checked and tightened securely.
LUBRICATION
_____ ENGINE OIL added to bring level up to full mark on 4-cycle engines (Refer to Engine Manual).
_____ DIFFERENTIAL grease checked and added if needed.
OPERATIONAL TEST
_____ ENGINE started, engine control settings checked and adjusted as needed.
_____ WHEEL DRIVE checked for proper operation and adjusted as needed (Self-Propelled Models).
_____ DRIVE DISC adjustment checked and made (Self-Propelled Models).
_____ GROUND SPEED control checked (Self-Propelled Models).
CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) COMPLIANCE TEST
_____ BLADE CONTROL stops engine when released.
DEALER’S RECORDS & FINAL CHECK
_____ PERSONALLY HANDED Operator’s Manual & Mower Safety Booklet to purchaser.
_____ INSTRUCTED purchaser to read and follow instructions in Operator’s Manual.
_____ DEMONSTRATED proper starting procedure and operation of mower to purchaser.
_____ INSTRUCTED purchaser how to service air cleaner, maintain oil level (4-cycle).
_____ ASSISTED purchaser in completing Product Registration Card.
CONSUMER/OPERATOR PRODUCT REGISTRATION CARD
Purchase Date ___________________ Model_______________________ Serial No.________________________
Retailers Name ___________________________________ Signature _____________________________________
Address _____________________________________ City ____________________ State _______ Zip _______
MOWER WILL BE USED COMMERCIALLY? _______ YES _____ NO
Purchaser’s Name _________________________________ Signature ____________________________________
Address ____________________________________ City _____________________ State _______ Zip _______
IMPORTANT: This form is to be retained by the Dealer for future reference regarding Warranty, proof of
purchase, traceability for product recall or service, etc. Complete the Product Registration Card and Mail to
Customer Service Department at SNAPPER, P.O. BOX 1379, McDonough, Georgia, 30253.
INSTRUCTION No. 7-4172 (I.R. 11/10/00)