Swisher FC11544BSXP 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 # L112-341001
Assembly
Operation
Service and Adjustment
Repair Parts
Made In The
USA
Rev 12 341
swisherinc.com
10662
FC11544BS
FC11544BSXP
FC12544BS
FC12544BSXP
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 arranty to the original consumer purchaser is: This product is free from
defects in materials and orkmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase
by the original consumer purchaser. We ill repair or replace, at our discretion, parts found to
be defective due to materials or orkmanship. This arranty is subject to the follo ing
limitations and exclusions:
1) Engine Warranty All engines utilized on our products has a separate arranty
extended to them by the individual engine manufacturer. Any
engine service difficulty is the responsibility of the engine
manufacturer and in no ay is S isher or its agents responsible
for the engine arranty. 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 arranty.
3) Limitations This arranty applies only to products, hich have been
properly assembled, adjusted, and operated in accordance ith
the instructions contained ithin this manual. This arranty
does not apply to any product of S isher that has been subject
to alteration, misuse, abuse, improper assembly or installation,
shipping damage, or to normal ear of the product.
4) Exclusions Excluded from this arranty are normal ear, normal
adjustments, and normal maintenance.
In the event you have a claim under this arranty, 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 arranty shall be borne
by the purchaser. Should you have any questions concerning this arranty, please contact us
toll-free at 1-800-222-8183. The model number, serial number, date of purchase, and the
name of the authorized S isher dealer from hom you purchased the mo er ill be needed
before any arranty 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
allo the limitation of consequential damages or limitations on ho long an implied arranty
may last, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. This arranty gives
you specific legal rights and you may have other rights, hich vary from state-to-state. This is
a limited arranty as defined by the Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975.

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 safely.
•Al ays disconnect the spark plug ire and place the ire here it
cannot contact the spark plug, to prevent accidental starting of the engine
hen setting up, transporting, adjusting or making repairs.
• Keep all shields and guards in place.
• Understand the speed, steering and stability of this machine. Kno
the positions and operations of all controls before you operate this
machine. Check all of the controls in a safe area before starting to ork
ith this machine.
• Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, ire, etc. that can be
picked up and thro n by the blade.
• Allo only responsible adults ho are familiar ith these instructions
to operate this machine. Never allow children to operate this machine.
• Be sure the area is clear of other people before mo ing. Be a are of the
mo er discharge direction and do not point at anyone. Stop the machine
if anyone enters the mo ing area. Children are often attracted to the
machine and the mo ing activity. Never assume that children will
remain where you last saw them.Keep children under the atchful care
of another responsible adult.
•No riders!
3

• Turn off the blades hen not mo ing. Before leaving the machine, turn off the
blades and stop the engine.
• Watch for traffic hen operating near or crossing road ays.
• Do not operate the mo er if the mo er has been dropped or damaged
in any manner or if it vibrates excessively. Excessive vibration is an
indication of damage. Repair mo er as necessary.
• Dress properly. Do not operate the mo er hen barefoot or
earing open sandals. Wear only solid shoes ith good traction hen
mo ing.
• Do not operate the machine hile under the influence of alcohol or
drugs.
• Operate self-propelled machines up and do n slopes. There is
significant risk of overturns hen operating across slopes. Operate alk-
behind machines across slopes. There is a significant risk of slipping
under a alk-behind machine hen operating up and do n slopes. Do not
operate on slopes greater than 15 degrees.
• Never tamper ith 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 ith the engine running.
• Mo er blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blades or ear gloves,
and use extra caution hen servicing them.
4
• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts. Keep clear of
the discharge opening at all times.
• Do not mo 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 immediately if damaged. Order by part number from S isher.
OD99125 Medium Swisher
Logo Decal
5
OD99127 44" Deck Decal

OPERATING YOUR TRAIL MOWER
INTENDED USE
The 44” Trail Mo er is designed to produce a quality finish cut on la ns, golf courses,
etc. It is not intended to clear brush or cut saplings. Your Trail Mo er should be
to ed behind an ATV, golf cart, la n tractor, or other approved vehicle. It is not
designed for speeds exceeding 5 MPH. WARNING: To avoid serious injury,
operate your mo er up and do n 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 to ing position.
• Offset the Trail Mo er to the side opposite the to vehicle discharge (if any).
This prevents the to vehicle from thro ing grass into Trail Mo er engine.
• If to vehicle has a ball hitch, the ball must be removed before hitch can be
fastened.
• Attach hitch to the to vehicle ith hitch pin (H11). Make certain the hitch
pin goes completely through and is clipped to prevent accidental separation.
• Securely attach safety tether (6736) to to vehicle and to the Trail Mo er
toggle s itch located on right side of the engine. The safety tether ill stop the
Trail Mo er engine either manually or if the t o 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 any mo er can produce foreign objects to be thro n into the
eyes, resulting in severe eye damage. Al ays ear certified safety glasses or
ide-vision safety goggles over spectacles before staring any cutting machine
and hile operating such a machine.
The operation of any cutter produces sound aves 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 mo ing
activity. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw
them.
TRANSPORTING MOWER
• Stop Trail Mo er.
• Place Trail Mo er deck in its highest position.
• When transporting ithout the use of a to vehicle, remove spark plug
ire and place it here it cannot contact the spark plug.
6

• Set vehicle parking brake or chock heels to prevent accidental rolling.
• Start engine properly.
• Slo ly engage blade control.
• In a safe environment, i.e. no children, allo blades to rotate and engine to
idle for 5 minutes. This breaks in the belts and the engine.
• Stop mo er properly.
ENGAGING BLADES
The Trail Mo er ill not start if the blade lever is in the “ENGAGED” position.
• Engage blades by rotating blade lever into the “ENGAGED” position.
• Rotate blade lever in opposite direction to disengage blade.
• The dual braking system is applied hen the blades become disengaged. It is
designed to bring the blades to quick stop (approximately 7 seconds). Each
Trail Mo er brake system has been tested and calibrated. For safety, the
consumer should not alter the braking system.
STARTING THE ENGINE
See engine manufacturer’s recommendations for the type and amount of oil and fuel
used. Trail Mo ers equipped ith an electric start engine ill need a battery (sold
separately). S isher recommends using a standard “12N12A” battery.
• Make sure the to vehicle parking brake is set, mo er is level, and blades are
disengaged. Engine must be level to accurately check and fill oil. Do not overfill.
• Check spark plug ire, oil, and fuel.
• Check all electrical connections for buildup or debris.
• Make sure toggle s itch is not turned “OFF” and safety tether is attached.
• Set engine throttle to “RUN” position.
• Move the choke lever to the “ON” position (cold engine only).
• With feet clear of mo er deck, turn key s itch to the “START” position; release
hen engine begins to run (12 volt models). Recoil models must use pull-rope.
Pull rope ith a single fluid motion.
• Set engine throttle at maximum RPM.
• Allo engine to run a fe 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.
7
IMPORTANT: This engine is not equipped with a spark arrester muffler. It is a violation of
California Public Resource Code Section 444 to use or operate the engine on any forest-covered,
brush-covered, or grass-covered land. Other states or federal areas may have similar laws.

• There is approximately 1 ½” to 4 ½” of height adjustment.
• Rotate height adjust crank handle in a clock ise direction to lift the mo er
deck. A counter-clock ise direction is used to lo er the mo er deck.
• Graduated scales are for reference only, not the actual cutter height.
• Bring to vehicle to a complete stop, shut off engine, and set parking brake.
• Disengage blades.
• Manually shut toggle s itch and/or key s itch to their “OFF” positions.
• Al ays remember to remove keys to avoid irresponsible usage (electric start
models only).
• Adjust the cutting height.
• Double check vehicle to mo er attachment.
• Start mo er engine and set throttle to “FAST” for best cutting performance.
• Slo ly engage blade clutch lever.
• Carefully mount vehicle and start mo ing at a slo travel speed.
• S isher recommends if the to vehicle is equipped ith a mid-mount mo er
to overlap the cut approximately 6”. This may vary depending on mo ing
terrain, obstacles, and/or to vehicle. Al ays keep SAFETY the first priority.
• If the to vehicle is not equipped ith a mid-mount mo er, e still
recommend offsetting the mo er so that the to vehicle does not crush the
grass.
• Make adjustments hile Trail Mo er is not running.
• Remove hairpins NB127 from clevis pins 18842 so L-hitch 18829 can
be repositioned.
• Raise or lo er hitch section to obtain proper front to back adjustment.
• Insert clevis pins in the desired hitch position and secure ith hairpins.
MOWER HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
• Make adjustments hile Trail Mo er is not running.
FRONT TO BACK ADJUSTMENT
For best cutting results, the mo ing deck should be raised to ½” to ¾” higher in
the rear.
TOW HITCH OFFSET
This Trail Mo er has been designed to operate offset from the center of the to
vehicle or consecutively ith another Trail Mo er, providing additional cutting
idth. When offsetting the mo er do so to the side opposite the discharge of the to
vehicle.
STARTING TO MOW
STOPPING THE MOWING SESSION
8

SUGGESTED MOWING PRACTICES
• Operate mo er engine at full throttle to assure the best cutting performance and
maximum material discharge.
• Allo et grass to dry. Wet grass ill clump and collect under the mo ing deck.
• Mo ing should be started ith to vehicle in lo gear and increased only as safe
mo ing conditions permit. Mo ing speed should not exceed 5 MPH.
• The average la n should be cut to approximately 2.5” during the cool season and to
over 3” during the hot months.
• For a healthier la n and better aesthetics, your la n should be mo ed often and
after moderate gro th.
• When cutting high or dense grass areas go slo ly. Some areas may need to be
mo ed t ice. 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 mo ing thick or high grass,
it is recommended to cut area t ice. The first at a higher setting and the second at the
desired la n height.
•Creating a manicured lawn: Never cut more than 1/3 of the grass height in one
cutting.
GENERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING
The mo er is not cutting level.
• Check air pressure of all tires; make sure they are equal. See tires for
maximum inflation.
• Make certain blades are installed identically, ithout the engine running.
The engine ill not start.
• Disengage blades, turn toggle s itch to “OFF” position, check battery and all
other electrical connections, and inspect spark plug and ire.
• Contact engine manufacturer or qualified mechanic.
Engine runs poorly.
• See engine manual.
• Check the throttle adjuster.
• Replace fuel, clean fuel filter and fuel line.
• Check spark plug and gap.
Mo er bounces excessively hile to ing.
• Decrease tire pressure.
• To at a slo er 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.
9

MOWER MAINTENANCE
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
The arranty on this Trail Mo er does not cover items that have been subjected to
operator abuse or negligence. To receive full value from the arranty, operator must
maintain unit as instructed in this manual.
Some adjustments ill need to be made periodically to maintain your unit properly.
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 t ice to ensure an accurate
reading.
• Check condition of air filter; clean and replace as necessary.
• 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 ith garden hose.
• Hardened grass clippings on underside should be scraped out ith a putty
knife.
• Keep fluids at proper levels.
• Cover unit to prevent rain or other debris buildup. Definitely cover the
engine.
BEFORE AND/OR AFTER EACH SEASON
• Replace the spark plug.
• Clean or replace the air filter.
• A ne spark plug and clean air filter assure proper air-fuel mixture and help
your engine run better and last longer.
• Check blades and belts for ear. Replace as necessary.
• Change the oil.
• See engine manufacturer’s recommendations for servicing.
STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS
CAUTION! Do not store engine indoors or other poorly ventilated area. Keep
engine a ay from gas appliances and ater heaters here 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 properly 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 ithin the engine. Gum deposits can cause
malfunction in the engine.
· Store mo er ith blades disengaged to prevent belts from being permanently
stretched.
10