Swisher The Predator WB11524 User manual

THEPREDATOR
24”ROUGHCUT
WALKBEHINDCUTTER
OWNER’S
MANUAL
1602 CORPORATE DRIVE, WARRENSBURG, MISSOURI 64093
PHONE [phone] FAX [phone]
MODEL NO.
Manufacturing quality lawn care equipment since 1945
Operation
Service and Adjustment
Repair Parts
Made In The
USA
Rev 11-132
Read and follow all Safety
Rules and Instructions
before operating this
equipment.
WB11524
WB11524-CA
swisherinc.com
10750
STARTING SERIAL #:
L111-132001

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In the event you have a claim under this warranty, you must return the product to an authorized
service dealer. All transportation charges, damage, or loss incurred during transportation of parts
submitted for replacement or repair under this warranty shall be borne by the purchaser. Should you
have any questions concerning this warranty, please contact us toll-free at 1-800-222-8183. The
model number, serial number, date of purchase, and the name of the authorized Swisher dealer from
whom you purchased the mower will be needed before any warranty claim can be processed.
THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY TO ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE LIMITED TO THE SAME TIME
PERIODS STATED HEREIN FOR ALL EXPRESSED WARRANTIES. Some states do not
allow the limitation of consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty may
last, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific
legal rights and you may have other rights, which vary from state-to-state. This is a limited warranty
as defined by the Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975.
LIMITED WARRANTY
The manufacturer’s warranty to the original consumer purchaser is: This product is free from defects
in materials and workmanship for a period of (1) year from the date of purchase by the original
consumer purchaser. We will repair or replace, at our discretion, parts found to be defective due to
materials or workmanship. This warranty is subject to the following limitations and exclusions:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WARRANTY………………....….2
INTRODUCTION………………..3
SAFETY..……………………….3-4
PRE-OPERATING..….……..……4
OPERATION.……………………….5-7
DECALS…..………….……………….8
PARTS BREAKDOWN…………….9-13
SAFE SLOPE GUIDE..………………15
1) Engine Warranty All engines utilized on our products have a separate warranty extended
to them by the individual engine manufacturer. Any engine service
difficulty is the responsibility of the engine manufacturer and in no
way is Swisher or its agents responsible for the engine warranty. The
Briggs & Stratton Engine Service Hot-Line is 1-800-233-3723.
2) Commercial Use This product is not intended for commercial use and carries no
commercial warranty.
3) Limitation This warranty applies only to products which have been properly
assembled, adjusted, and operated in accordance with the instructions
contained within this manual. This warranty does not apply to any
product of Swisher, that has been subject to alteration, misuse, abuse,
improper assembly or installation, shipping damage, or to normal wear
of product.
4) Exclusions Excluded from this warranty are normal wear, normal adjustments, and
normal maintenance.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
This Safety Alert Symbol indicates important messages in this
manual. When you see this symbol, carefully read the message that
follows and be alert to the possibility of personal injury.
Read this manual completely. This machine can amputate hands and feet, and
throw objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in
serious injury or death.
Thank you for choosing Swisher’s 24” Rough Cut Walk Behind Cutter.
Before operating your cutter, please read, understand and follow all of the safety
precautions and other instructions explained in this manual. As with all power
equipment, lawnmowers can be potentially dangerous if not properly used.
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• Read the manual. Learn to operate this machine safely.
• Always disconnect the spark plug wire and place the wire where it cannot contact the
spark plug, to prevent accidental starting the engine when setting up, transporting,
adjusting or making repairs.
• Keep all shields and guards in place.
• Understand the speed, steering and stability of this machine. Know the positions and
operations of all controls before you operate this machine. Check all of the controls in
a safe area before starting to work with this machine.
• Allow only responsible adults who are familiar with these instructions to operate this
machine. Never allow children to operate this machine.
• Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, etc. that can be picked up and
thrown by the blade.
• Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing. Be aware of the mower
discharge direction and do not point at anyone. Stop the machine if anyone enters the
mowing area. Children are often attracted to the machine and the mowing activity.
Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them. Keep children
under the watchful care of another responsible adult.
•No riders!
• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts.
• Do not mow in reverse. Always look down and behind before and during backing.

• Turn off the blade when not mowing. Before leaving the machine, turn off the blade
and stop the engine.
• Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing roadways.
• Do not operate the mower if it has been dropped or damaged in any manner or if the
mower vibrates excessively. Excessive vibration is an indication of damage. Repair mower
as necessary.
• Dress properly. Do not operate the mower when barefoot or wearing open sandals. Wear
only solid shoes with good traction when mowing.
• Never allow operation by untrained persons.
• Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Do not operate on slopes greater than 15 degrees.
• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.
• Stop and inspect the equipment if you strike an object. Repair, if necessary, before
restarting. Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine running.
• Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blades or wear gloves, and use extra
caution when servicing them. Do not operate at too fast a rate.
• Disengage spark plug wire and place where it cannot make a connection.
• Check engine oil. All engines are filled with oil at the factory. Verify oil level and
add if necessary before starting engine. (See Engine Owner’s Manual)
• Verify fuel level and add if necessary before starting engine.
• Reconnect spark plug wire.
• (Refer to Owner’s Manual pp. 5-7) For proper operating procedures.
PRE-OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
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The operation of any mower can produce foreign objects to be thrown into the
eyes, resulting in severe eye damage. Always wear certified safety glasses or
wide-vision safety goggles over spectacles before starting any cutting machine and
while operating such a machine.
The operation of any cutter produces sound waves that are damaging to the
human ear. Ear protection is recommended.
CAUTION!
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of
children. Children are often attracted to the machine and the mowing
activity. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.
OPERATING YOUR NEW CUTTER
INTENDED USE
This is not a lawn mower. The Predator is designed for cutting overgrown brush, weeds,
and other types of organic growth. This unit is capable of clearing small saplings of 1-
1/2” in diameter or less.
PROPULSION
The Predator is self-propelled, and is controlled by a “GROUND CONTROL” lever. To
engage the drive, put the transaxle in a gear and activate the left lever. Releasing the lever
will disengage the self-propel.
Under most conditions cutting should be done in a low gear (1st or 2nd). Upper gears
should be used for conditions where weeds and brush are thinned out or not as tall. In
confined areas the machine can be pushed forwards or backwards by releasing the
“GROUND CONTROL” lever, placing the transaxle in neutral, and pushing the machine.
TRAVEL SPEED
Can be varied by choosing a higher or lower gear using the gearshift lever at the rear of
the machine or by changing the engine speed with the engine throttle. Do not adjust speed
with the blade engaged. To shift the cutter into reverse, release “GROUND CONTROL”
lever, disengage blade, and rotate the shift lever to the left. When the lever stops, lift up
the reverse lockout latch and continue to move the shift lever to the left until it stops
again. The Predator is equipped with a safety control that will kill the engine if the
blade is engaged while cutter is in the “reverse” gear.
ENGAGING BLADE
An “OPERATOR PRESENCE” lever and a “BLADE ENGAGE DRIVE” control work
together to engage the Predator’s blade. Both devices must be activated before the blade
will work. Releasing the “OPERATOR PRESENCE” lever will disengage both the blade
and the “BLADE ENGAGE DRIVE” control.
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