Snapper EASY LINE 21 Series Manual

1
SET-UP INSTRUCTIONS & PRE-OPERATION CHECKLIST
SNAPPER EUROPEAN 21” ‘EASY LINE’ WALK BEHIND MOWERS
INTRODUCTION: The SNAPPER ‘Easy Line’ Walk Behind Mowers are shipped almost fully assembled and
require minimal set-up. Complete each of the following steps carefully. Review and complete each item as
instructed on the Pre-Operation checklist. The Snapper Product Registration card must be filled out and sent to
Customer Service department at Snapper when completed.
WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO START OR OPERATE THIS MACHINE UNTIL ALL ASSEMBLY STEPS HAVE
BEEN COMPLETED. SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR EQUIPMENT DAMAGE MAY RESULT.
HANDLE ASSEMBLY
STEP 1: Remove mower from shipping carton. Mower
shown as removed from shipping carton. See Figure 1.
STEP 2: Unfold upper handle until it aligns with and
seats into lower handle. Securely tighten upper handle
T-Knobs on both sides. See Figure 1.
FIGURE 1
STEP 3: Lift handle assembly up and back over
machine. See Figure 2.
FIGURE 2
STEP 4: Align holes in lower handle with one of three
height adjustment holes in mounting brackets. See
Figure 3. Insert one carriage bolt into desired hole in
each bracket, out through lower handle, and secure with
T-Knob, tightening securely. (NOTE: Carriage bolts and
T-Knobs may already be installed in brackets; simply
remove and reinstall.)
FIGURE 3
STEP 5: 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. IMPORTANT: WEAR HEAVY DUTY
GLOVES WHEN REMOVING SHIPPING BLOCK.
CUTTING BLADE IS EXTREMELY SHARP.
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 6: While squeezing blade control down against
upper handle, pull recoil rope handle up to rope guide
located on right side of upper handle as shown, and
hook rope through guide. See Figure 4.
FIGURE 4
INSTRUCTION No. 7100514 (Rev. 1, 4/4/2006)
TP 300-5130-01-WB-N
TIGHTEN T-KNOBS
HANDLE
HEIGHT
HANDLE
MOUNTING
BRACKET
UNFOLD UPPER HANDLE
HIGH
LOW
HANDLE
ASSEMBLY
LIFT HANDLE ASSEMBLY
SQUEEZE BLADE
CONTROL
PULL RECOIL
AND HOOK
ROPE IN
GUIDE
MEDIUM

2
DISCHARGE ASSEMBLY
NOTE: Discharge assemblies vary by model. Some
assembly steps shown may not apply to your model.
Your mower comes with a recycling cover already
installed, and is ready for use as a recycling mower.
The recycling cover is designed to remain on the
machine at all times, unless alternate discharge
operations are desired, such as side discharging or
bagging. Recycling cover can be removed to
accommodate alternate discharge components.
TO CHANGE DISCHARGE COMPONENTS:
STEP 1: Remove knob nuts and internal/external tooth
lock washers securing recycling cover to mower deck.
Remove cover. See Figure 5.
FIGURE 5
STEP 2: Install desired discharge component (s).
A. SIDE DISCHARGE DEFLECTOR
Install deflector onto deck in place of recycling cover,
making sure that: 1) hole in outside front of deflector slips
onto stud where front of recycling cover was originally
secured, 2) slot on top of deflector slips under restraining
nut on top of deck (under right front corner of engine), and
3) slot on inside rear of deflector slips onto stud where
rear of recycling cover was originally secured. See Figure
6. Install internal/external tooth lock washers and knob
nuts onto studs and tighten securely.
FIGURE 6
B. GRASS BAG
(Optional Accessory on Some Models)
1: Install grass bag adapter onto deck in place of
recycling cover. See Figure 7. Refer to side discharge
deflector installation instructions.
2: Route recoil rope around outside of rope guide pulley.
(NOTE: Recoil rope may need to be slackened. Refer to
“Handle Assembly”.)
FIGURE 7
3: Install grass bag by opening adapter cover (not
shown) and sliding connector over adapter flange.
Attach grass bag and grass bag door hooks over
middle handle cross bar. See Figure 8.
NOTE: The handles of the grass bag and grass bag
door may be secured together with a wire tie or similar
device to prevent inadvertent opening of bag during
shipping. Remove wire tie prior to bag installation.
FIGURE 8
WARNING
DO NOT operate without entire Grass Catcher or
guard in place. Grass Catcher components are
subject to deterioration during normal use. Inspect
frequently and replace worn or damaged
components immediately.
SECURE
ADAPTER
TO DECK
TOP
SLOT
UNDER NUT
REAR SLOT
OVER STUD ;
INSTALL LOCK
WASHER AND
KNOB NUT
HOOK BAG & DOOR
HOOKS TO MIDDLE
HANDLE CROSS BAR
SLIDE CONNECTOR
OVER FLANGE
FRONT HOLE
OVER STUD;
INSTALL LOCK
WASHER AND
KNOB NUT
ROUTE RECOIL ROPE
AROUND PULLEY
REMOVE KNOB NUTS
AND LOCK WASHERS

3
GROUND SPEED CONTROL
ADJUSTMENT
Ground speed control adjustment has been preset at
the factory. However, additional adjustment may be
desired to accommodate operator comfort.
WARNING
DO NOT attempt any maintenance, adjustments or
service with engine and blade running. STOP engine
and blade. Disconnect spark plug wire and secure
away from spark plug. Engine and components are
HOT. Avoid serious burns, allow sufficient time for
all components to cool.
A. IDLER SPRING TENSION ADJUSTMENT
1. Remove rear cover from mower. Refer to
Operator’s Manual.
2. Idler spring tension is adjusted properly when:
a. With lever in ‘SLOW’ position (see Figure 9), belt
is relaxed, and idler spring on end of ground speed
control cable has no tension. See Figure 10.
FIGURE 9
FIGURE 10
b. With lever in ‘FAST’ position (see Figure 9), belt
is tight, and idler spring on end of ground speed
control cable is extended approx. 1”. See Figure 11.
FIGURE 11
To adjust idler spring tension:
Loosen outer nut on end of ground speed cable,
and run inner nut in toward cable (clockwise) or out
from cable (counterclockwise) by 1/2 turn
increments until correct adjustments are attained.
See Figure 10. Be sure to tighten outer nut.
B. MINIMUM GROUND SPEED ADJUSTMENT
If mower is traveling too fast or too slow when
ground speed control lever is placed in ‘SLOW’
position, minimum ground speed can be adjusted.
NOTE: Before adjusting minimum ground speed, be
sure idler spring tension is adjusted correctly, as
idler spring tension may affect minimum ground
speed. Refer to Section “Idler Spring Tension
Adjustment”.
1. Remove rear cover from mower.
2. Place ground speed control lever in ‘SLOW’
position. See Figure 9.
3. Adjust minimum ground speed:
To decrease minimum ground speed:
Remove end of idler spring from current adjustment
hole, and relocate spring one hole closer to idler
arm pivot bolt. See Figure 12.
To increase minimum ground speed:
Remove end of idler spring from current adjustment
hole, and relocate spring one hole farther from idler
arm pivot bolt. See Figure 12.
FIGURE 12
GROUND SPEED
LEVER IN ‘FAST’
POSITION
SPRING LENGTH
EXTENDED 1” BELT IS TIGHT
1”
UNEXTENDED
LENGTH
GROUND SPEED
CONTROL
SLOW
FAST
GROUND SPEED
LEVER IN ‘SLOW’
POSITION
SPRING HAS NO
TENSION
BELT IS RELAXED
INNER NUT
OUTER NUT
ADJUSTMENT
HOLES
DECREASE MINIMUM
GROUND SPEED
INCREASE MINIMUM
GROUND SPEED
IDLER PIVOT BOLT

4
GROUND SPEED CONTROL
ADJUSTMENT (Cont.)
WARNING
DO NOT attempt any maintenance, adjustments or
service with engine and blade running. STOP engine
and blade. Disconnect spark plug wire and secure
away from spark plug. Engine and components are
HOT. Avoid serious burns, allow sufficient time for
all components to cool.
NOTE: After adjusting minimum ground speed,
readjustment of idler spring tension may be
necessary.
4. Replace rear cover.
5. Check minimum ground speed; repeat
adjustment as necessary.
THE DRIVE BELT ON THIS UNIT IS SUBJECT TO
WEAR, AND SHOULD BE CHECKED
REGULARLY. REPLACE A WORN, FRAYED OR
DAMAGED BELT IMMEDIATELY.
CHECKLIST: Complete all items on the
Pre-Operation Checklist as instructed.

5
NOTES

6
NOTES

7
NOTES

8
PRE OPERATION CHECKLIST for SNAPPER
EUROPEAN 21” ‘EASY LINE’ WALK BEHIND MOWERS
Snapper has completed initial adjustments and performed operational tests prior to shipping the machine. Due
to the possible effects of shipping, handling and storage, Snapper intends for all of the following items to be
verified and necessary final adjustments made at time of setup. It remains good practice and is strongly
recommended that all the items also be checked prior to placing the machine into service. It is very important
that setup is verified and all operational tests completed and results are acceptable. After completing this form,
sign and retain for future reference.
SET-UP (Details on Pages 1 and 2 of this Instruction)
_____ UPPER HANDLE & LOWER HANDLE secured in place and hardware tightened securely.
_____ FOAM SHIPPING BLOCK removed from cutting blade.
_____ RECOIL ROPE hooked into recoil guide on handle.
_____ RECYCLING COVER, SIDE DISCHARGE DEFLECTOR, or GRASS BAG ASSEMBLY correctly installed.
_____ BLADE retaining bolt checked and tightened securely (40 ft-lbs recommended).
LUBRICATION
_____ ENGINE OIL added to bring level up to full mark on 4-cycle engines (Refer to Engine Manual).
_____ OIL mixed with FUEL in specified ratio (2 Cycle Engines Only).
OPERATIONAL TEST
_____ ENGINE started and running smoothly.
_____ WHEEL DRIVE checked for proper operation (Self-Propelled Models – Refer to Operator’s Manual).
_____ GROUND SPEED control checked and adjusted if needed (Variable Speed Models).
CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) COMPLIANCE TEST
_____ BLADE CONTROL stops engine when released.
CONSUMER/OPERATOR PRODUCT REGISTRATION CARD
Purchase Date ___________________ Model _______________________ Serial No. _______________________
Retailers Name ___________________________________ Signature ____________________________________
Address _____________________________________ City ____________________ State _______ Zip ______
MACHINE WILL BE USED COMMERCIALLY? _____ YES______ NO
Purchaser’s Name _________________________________ Signature ____________________________________
Address ____________________________________ City ____________________ State _______ Zip _______
IMPORTANT: This form is to be retained 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. 7100514 (Rev. 1, 4/4/2006)
TP 300-5130-01-WB-N