Swisher FC11544BS User manual

44” FINISH CUT
TRAIL MOWER
OWNER’S
MANUAL
SWISHER
1602 CORPORATE DRIVE, WARRENSBURG, MISSOURI 64093
PHONE [phone] FAX [phone]
MODEL NO.
STARTING SERIAL # L113-001001
Assembly
Operation
Service and Adjustment
Repair Parts
Made In The
USA
Rev 13 001
swisherinc.com
10662
FC11544BS
FC12544BS
POL11544D
POL11544DEX
Read and follow all
Safety Precautions
and Instructions
before operating this
equipment.
IMPORTANT
CHANGING YOUR LANDSCAPE SINCE 1945

LIMITED WARRANTY
The manufacturer’s warrant to the original consumer purchaser is: This product is free from
defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) ear from the date of purchase
b the original consumer purchaser. We will repair or replace, at our discretion, parts found to
be defective due to materials or workmanship. This warrant is subject to the following
limitations and exclusions:
1) Engine Warrant All engines utilized on our products has a separate warrant
extended to them b the individual engine manufacturer. An
engine service difficult is the responsibilit of the engine
manufacturer and in no wa is Swisher or its agents responsible
for the engine warrant . The Briggs & Stratton Engine Service
Hot-Line is 1-800-233-3723.
2) Commercial Use The warrant period for an product used for commercial or
rental is limited to ninet da s from the date of original purchase.
3) Limitations This warrant applies onl to products, which have been
properl assembled, adjusted, and operated in accordance with
the instructions contained within this manual. This warrant
does not appl to an product of Swisher that has been subject
to alteration, misuse, abuse, improper assembl or installation,
shipping damage, or to normal wear of the product.
4) Exclusions Excluded from this warrant are normal wear, normal
adjustments, and normal maintenance.
In the event ou have a claim under this warrant , ou 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 warrant shall be borne
b the purchaser. Should ou have an questions concerning this warrant , 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 ou purchased the mower will be needed
before an warrant 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 warrant
ma last, so the above limitations or exclusions ma not appl to ou. This warrant gives
ou specific legal rights and ou ma have other rights, which var from state-to-state. This is
a limited warrant as defined b the Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975.
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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, feet, and
throw objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could
result in serious injury or death.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
• Read the manual. Learn to operate this machine
safel .
• Alwa s disconnect the spark plug wire and place the wire where it
cannot contact the spark plug, to prevent accidental starting of the engine
when setting up, transporting, adjusting or making repairs.
• Keep all shields and guards in
place.
• Understand the speed, steering and stabilit of this machine. Know
the positions and operations of all controls before ou operate this
machine. Check all of the controls in a safe area before starting to work
with this machine.
• Clear the area of objects such as rocks, to s, wire, etc. that can be
picked up and thrown b the blade.
• Allow onl responsible adults who are familiar with these instructions
to operate this machine. Never allow children to operate this machine.
• Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing. Be aware of the
mower discharge direction and do not point at an one. Stop the machine
if an one enters the mowing area. Children are often attracted to the
machine and the mowing activit . Never assume that children will
remain where you last saw them.Keep children under the watchful care
of another responsible adult.
•No riders!
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• Turn off the blades when not mowing. Before leaving the machine, turn off the
blades and stop the engine.
• Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing
roadwa s.
• Do not operate the mower if the mower has been dropped or damaged
in an manner or if it vibrates excessivel . Excessive vibration is an
indication of damage. Repair mower as necessar .
• Dress properl . Do not operate the mower when barefoot or
wearing open sandals. Wear onl solid shoes with good traction when
mowing.
• Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or
drugs.
• Operate self-propelled machines up and down slopes. There is
significant risk of overturns when operating across slopes. Operate walk-
behind machines across slopes. There is a significant risk of slipping
under a walk-behind machine when operating up and down slopes. Do not
operate on slopes greater than 15 degrees.
• Never tamper with safet devices. Check their proper operation
regularl .
• Stop and inspect the equipment if ou strike an object. Repair, if
necessar , 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.
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• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts. Keep clear of
the discharge opening at all times.
• Do not mow in reverse. Always look down and behind before and while
backing.

OD36 Deflector Decal
OD45 Warning Decal
OD29 Danger Decal
Engine Serial #
OD11 No Step Decal
OD15 Void Warranty Decal
OD33 Speed Decal
OD55 Triangle Danger Decal
(All four deck corners)
Trail Mower Serial #
SAFETY DECALS
Replace decal immediatel if damaged. Order b part number from Swisher.
OD99125 Medium Swisher
Logo Decal
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OD99127 44" Deck Decal

OPERATING YOUR TRAIL MOWER
INTENDED USE
The 44” Trail Mower is designed to produce a qualit finish cut on lawns, golf courses,
etc. It is not intended to clear brush or cut saplings. Your Trail Mower should be
towed behind an ATV, golf cart, lawn tractor, or other approved vehicle. It is not
designed for speeds exceeding 5 MPH. WARNING: To avoid serious injur ,
operate our mower up and down the face of slopes, NEVER across the face. DO
NOT MOW SLOPES GREATER THAN 15 DEGREES! (See attached guide for
sighting slopes.)
ATTACHING TRAIL MOWER TO TOW VEHICLE
• Back vehicle up to desired towing position.
• Offset the Trail Mower to the side opposite the tow vehicle discharge (if an ).
This prevents the tow vehicle from throwing grass into Trail Mower engine.
• If tow vehicle has a ball hitch, the ball must be removed before hitch can be
fastened.
• Attach hitch to the tow vehicle with hitch pin (H11). Make certain the hitch
pin goes completel through and is clipped to prevent accidental separation.
• Securel attach safet tether (6736) to tow vehicle and to the Trail Mower
toggle switch located on right side of the engine. The safet tether will stop the
Trail Mower engine either manuall or if the two should become separated. It is
very important that the safety tether is securely attached to both the toggle
switch and to the tow vehicle. See Fig 3, pg 15.
The operation of an mower can produce foreign objects to be thrown into the
e es, resulting in severe e e damage. Alwa s wear certified safet glasses or
wide-vision safet goggles over spectacles before staring an cutting machine
and while operating such a machine.
The operation of an 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
activit . Never assume that children will remain where you last saw
them.
TRANSPORTING MOWER
• Stop Trail Mower.
• Place Trail Mower deck in its highest position.
• When transporting without the use of a tow vehicle, remove spark plug
wire and place it where it cannot contact the spark plug.
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• Set vehicle parking brake or chock wheels to prevent accidental rolling.
• Start engine properl .
• Slowl engage blade control.
• In a safe environment, i.e. no children, allow blades to rotate and engine to
idle for 5 minutes. This breaks in the belts and the engine.
• Stop mower properl .
ENGAGING BLADES
The Trail Mower will not start if the blade lever is in the “ENGAGED” position.
• Engage blades b rotating blade lever into the “ENGAGED” position.
• Rotate blade lever in opposite direction to disengage blade.
• The dual braking s stem is applied when the blades become disengaged. It is
designed to bring the blades to quick stop (approximatel 7 seconds). Each
Trail Mower brake s stem has been tested and calibrated. For safet , the
consumer should not alter the braking s stem.
STARTING THE ENGINE
See engine manufacturer’s recommendations for the t pe and amount of oil and fuel
used. Trail Mowers equipped with an electric start engine will need a batter (sold
separatel ). Swisher recommends using a standard “12N12A” batter .
• Make sure the tow vehicle parking brake is set, mower is level, and blades are
disengaged. Engine must be level to accuratel check and fill oil. Do not overfill.
• Check spark plug wire, oil, and fuel.
• Check all electrical connections for buildup or debris.
• Make sure toggle switch is not turned “OFF” and safet tether is attached.
• Set engine throttle to “RUN” position.
• Move the choke lever to the “ON” position (cold engine onl ).
• With feet clear of mower deck, turn ke switch to the “START” position; release
when engine begins to run (12 volt models). Recoil models must use pull-rope.
Pull rope with a single fluid motion.
• Set engine throttle at maximum RPM.
• Allow engine to run a few moments before engaging blades.
BREAKING IN YOUR MOWER
CAUTION!
SHUT OFF MOWER ENGINE AND REMOVE SPARK PLUG WIRE FROM
SPARK PLUG BEFORE MAKING ANY ADJUSTMENTS TO THE MOWER.
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• There is approximatel 1 ½” to 4 ½” of height adjustment.
• Rotate height adjust crank handle in a clockwise direction to lift the mower
deck. A counter-clockwise direction is used to lower the mower deck.
• Graduated scales are for reference onl , not the actual cutter height.
• Bring tow vehicle to a complete stop, shut off engine, and set parking brake.
• Disengage blades.
• Manuall shut toggle switch and/or ke switch to their “OFF” positions.
• Alwa s remember to remove ke s to avoid irresponsible usage (electric start
models onl ).
• Adjust the cutting height.
• Double check vehicle to mower attachment.
• Start mower engine and set throttle to “FAST” for best cutting performance.
• Slowl engage blade clutch lever.
• Carefull mount vehicle and start mowing at a slow travel speed.
• Swisher recommends if the tow vehicle is equipped with a mid-mount mower
to overlap the cut approximatel 6”. This ma var depending on mowing
terrain, obstacles, and/or tow vehicle. Alwa s keep SAFETY the first priorit .
• If the tow vehicle is not equipped with a mid-mount mower, we still
recommend offsetting the mower so that the tow vehicle does not crush the
grass.
• Make adjustments while Trail Mower is not running.
• Remove hairpins NB127 from clevis pins 18842 so L-hitch 18829 can
be repositioned.
• Raise or lower hitch section to obtain proper front to back adjustment.
• Insert clevis pins in the desired hitch position and secure with hairpins.
MOWER HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
• Make adjustments while Trail Mower is not running.
FRONT TO BACK ADJUSTMENT
For best cutting results, the mowing deck should be raised to ½” to ¾” higher in
the rear.
TOW HITCH OFFSET
This Trail Mower has been designed to operate offset from the center of the tow
vehicle or consecutivel with another Trail Mower, providing additional cutting
width. When offsetting the mower do so to the side opposite the discharge of the tow
vehicle.
STARTING TO MOW
STOPPING THE MOWING SESSION
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SUGGESTED MOWING PRACTICES
• Operate mower engine at full throttle to assure the best cutting performance and
maximum material discharge.
• Allow wet grass to dr . Wet grass will clump and collect under the mowing deck.
• Mowing should be started with tow vehicle in low gear and increased onl as safe
mowing conditions permit. Mowing speed should not exceed 5 MPH.
• The average lawn should be cut to approximatel 2.5” during the cool season and to
over 3” during the hot months.
• For a healthier lawn and better aesthetics, our lawn should be mowed often and
after moderate growth.
• When cutting high or dense grass areas go slowl . Some areas ma need to be
mowed twice. The second cut should be at 90 degrees to the first, if possible.
•Mowing thick or high grass: Raise rear of deck to ½” to ¾” above front of the
deck. See “FRONT TO BACK ADJUSTMENT”. When mowing thick or high grass,
it is recommended to cut area twice. The first at a higher setting and the second at the
desired lawn height.
•Creating a manicured lawn: Never cut more than 1/3 of the grass height in one
cutting.
GENERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING
The mower is not cutting level.
• Check air pressure of all tires; make sure the are equal. See tires for
maximum inflation.
• Make certain blades are installed identicall , without the engine running.
The engine will not start.
• Disengage blades, turn toggle switch to “OFF” position, check batter and all
other electrical connections, and inspect spark plug and wire.
• Contact engine manufacturer or qualified mechanic.
Engine runs poorl .
• See engine manual.
• Check the throttle adjuster.
• Replace fuel, clean fuel filter and fuel line.
• Check spark plug and gap.
Mower bounces excessivel while towing.
• Decrease tire pressure.
• Tow at a slower speed.
IF PROBLEMS PERSIST HAVE A QUALIFIED MECHANIC SERVICE THE
MOWER. NEVER ATTEMPT TO MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT THAT YOU
ARE NOT SURE IS CORRECT. DOING SO CAN CAUSE OTHER
PROBLEMS.
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MOWER MAINTENANCE
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
The warrant on this Trail Mower does not cover items that have been subjected to
operator abuse or negligence. To receive full value from the warrant , operator must
maintain unit as instructed in this manual.
Some adjustments will need to be made periodicall to maintain our unit properl .
All adjustments in this manual should be checked at least once each season.
BEFORE EACH USE
• Check engine oil level on a level surface. Check twice to ensure an accurate
reading.
• Check condition of air filter; clean and replace as necessar .
• Check blade operation; keep blades in good condition.
• Check for loose fasteners and tighten them as needed.
AFTER EACH USE
• Keep blades sharp.
• Remove fresh grass clippings with garden hose.
• Hardened grass clippings on underside should be scraped out with a putt
knife.
• Keep fluids at proper levels.
• Cover unit to prevent rain or other debris buildup. Definitel cover the
engine.
BEFORE AND/OR AFTER EACH SEASON
• Replace the spark plug.
• Clean or replace the air filter.
• A new spark plug and clean air filter assure proper air-fuel mixture and help
our engine run better and last longer.
• Check blades and belts for wear. Replace as necessar .
• Change the oil.
• See engine manufacturer’s recommendations for servicing.
STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS
CAUTION! Do not store engine indoors or other poorl ventilated area. Keep
engine awa from gas appliances and water heaters where fumes could contact
open flame, pilot lights, or sparks.
If engine is to be stored for 30 or more days, prepare unit as follows:
· Drain fuel outside into an approved container.
· Start engine properl and run until unit is out of fuel.
· Let engine cool.
· Remove remaining gasoline from carburetor and fuel tank to prevent gum
deposits from forming within the engine. Gum deposits can cause
malfunction in the engine.
· Store mower with blades disengaged to prevent belts from being permanentl
stretched.
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