Swisher FC18560BS User manual

60” FINISH CUT
TRAIL MOWER
OWNER’S
MANUAL
1602 CORPORATE DRIVE., WARRENSBURG MO 64093
PHONE [phone] FAX [phone] EMAIL [e-mail]
MODEL NO.
FC14560BS
FC14560BS-CA
FC14560BSXP
FC18560BS
FC18560BS-CA
FC18560BSXP
POL14560A
POL14560A-CA
POL14560AEX
Assembly
Operation
Service and Adjustment
Repair Parts
Made In The
USA
www.swisherinc.com
18028 REV 13-060
STARTING SERIAL #:
L113-060001
Read and follow all
Safety Precautions
and Instructions
before operating this
equipment.
IMPORTANT

LIMITED WARRANTY
The manufac urer’s warran y o he original consumer purchaser is: This produc is free from
defec s in ma erials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from he da e of purchase
by he original consumer purchaser. We will repair or replace, a our discre ion, par s found o
be defec ive due o ma erials or workmanship. This warran y is subjec o he following
limi a ions and exclusions:
1) Engine Warran y All engines u ilized on our produc s has a separa e warran y
ex ended o hem by he individual engine manufac urer. Any
engine service difficul y is he responsibili y of he engine
manufac urer and in no way is Swisher or i s agen s responsible
for he engine warran y. The Briggs & S ra on Engine Service
Ho Line is 1-800-233-3723.
2) Commercial Use This produc is no in ended for commercial use and carries no
commercial warran y.
3) Limi a ions This warran y applies only o produc s, which have been
properly assembled, adjus ed, and opera ed in accordance wi h
he ins ruc ions con ained wi hin his manual. This warran y
does no apply o any produc of Swisher ha has been subjec
o al era ion, misuse, abuse, improper assembly or ins alla ion,
shipping damage, or o normal wear of he produc .
4) Exclusions Excluded from his warran y are normal wear, normal
adjus men s, and normal main enance.
In he even you have a claim under his warran y, you mus re urn he produc o an
au horized service dealer. All ranspor a ion charges, damage, or loss incurred during
ranspor a ion of par s submi ed for replacemen or repair under his warran y shall be borne
by he purchaser. Should you have any ques ions concerning his warran y, please con ac us
oll-free a 1-800-222-8183. The model number, serial number, da e of purchase, and he
name of he au horized Swisher dealer from whom you purchased he mower will be needed
before any warran y 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 s a es do no
allow he limi a ion of consequen ial damages or limi a ions on how long an implied warran y
may las , so he above limi a ions or exclusions may no apply o you. This warran y gives
you specific legal righ s and you may have o her righ s, which vary from s a e- o-s a e. This is
a limi ed warran y as defined by he Magnuson-Moss Ac of 1975.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
• Read he manual. Learn o opera e his machine safely.
• Always disconnec he spark plug wire and place he wire where i canno con ac he spark plug, o preven
acciden al s ar ing he engine when se ing up, ranspor ing, adjus ing or making repairs.
• Keep all shields and guards in place.
• Unders and he speed, s eering and s abili y of his machine. Know he posi ions and opera ions of all
con rols before you opera e his machine. Check all of he con rols in a safe area before s ar ing o work
wi h his machine.
• Allow only responsible adul s who are familiar wi h hese ins ruc ions o opera e his machine. Never allow
children o opera e his machine.
• Clear he area of objec s such as rocks, oys, wire, e c. ha can be picked up and hrown by he blade.
• Be sure he area is clear of o her people before mowing. Be aware of he mower discharge direc ion and do
no poin a anyone. S op he machine if anyone en ers he mowing area. Children are of en a rac ed o he
machine and he mowing ac ivi y. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.
Keep
children under he wa chful care of ano her responsible adul .
• No riders!
• Do no pu hands or fee near or under ro a ing par s. Keep clear of he discharge opening a all imes.
• Do no mow in reverse. Always look down and behind before and while backing.
• Turn off he blades when no mowing. Before leaving he machine, urn off he blades and s op he engine.
• Wa ch for raffic when opera ing near or crossing roadways.
• Do no opera e he mower if i has been dropped or damaged in any manner or if he mower vibra es
excessively. Excessive vibra ion is an indica ion of damage. Repair mower as necessary.
• Dress properly. Do no opera e he mower when barefoo or wearing open sandals. Wear only solid shoes
wi h good rac ion when mowing.
• Do no opera e he machine while under he influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Opera e self-propelled machines up and down slopes. There is significan risk of over urns when opera ing
across slopes. Opera e walk-behind machines across slopes. There is a significan risk of slipping under a
walk-behind machine when opera ing up and down slopes. Do no opera e on slopes grea er han 15 degrees.
• Never amper wi h safe y devices. Check heir proper opera ion regularly.
• S op and inspec he equipmen if you s rike an objec . Repair, if necessary, before res ar ing.
• Never make adjus men s or repairs wi h he engine running.
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.

4
SAFETY DECALS
Replace decals immedia ely if damaged. Order by par number from Swisher.
OD45- Warning Decal
OD11- No s ep Decal
OD55- Triangle Danger Decal
OD33- Speed Decal
OD29- Danger Decal
OD43- Flying Debris Decal

Ben Pin, Hair Pin
and Receiver
supplied by o hers.
Exis ing Rear Hi ch.
ATV or Utility
Vehicle Attachment
Instructions
5
*Battery cover not shown
Battery Mounting Detail
REQUIRED ASSEMBLY
FRONT WHEEL CASTER ASSEMBLY
1. Remove single nu and washers from cas er shaf .
2. Place one washer on he shaf of he cas er/wheel subassembly.
3. Slide same shaf hrough he bearing/frame wi h wheel owards he ground.
4. Place he o her washer on he shaf ; i should be res ing on he op bearing.
5. Add hin washer (17x195).
6. Thread nyloc jam nu on o shaf .
7. Tigh en nu snuggly, making sure shaf hreads en er he nyloc of he nu . Over-
tightening of this nut will bind caster.
8. Repea process for o her fron side.
9. Push on plas ic dus covers over nu and hin washer un il i snaps in o place.
REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY
1. Remove co er pin from axle.
2. Slide washer (NB178) if necessary and wheel (valve s em ou ) on o axle and replace
co er pin.
3. Slide on washer (NB149) and replace co er pin.
4. Bend co er pin so i will no fall ou .
5. Repea process for o her wheel.
OFFSET & CENTER TOW HITCH BAR ASSEMBLY
1. Lay ou par s according o he diagram.
2. Inser par 661A in o par 662 and pin wi h he hi ch pin (H11).
3. Inser par 661 in o par 661A. Choose from he 3 holes o se he desired hi ch leng h.
Pin wi h a hi ch pin.
4.
Par 662 slides in o he fron ube of he frame. Again, choose from he 3 holes o arrange
desired offse . Pin wi h a hi ch pin (H11).
5. Elimina e s ep 3 for hi ching from he cen er bracke . Only one me hod can be used a a
ime.
Position battery hold
down bracket as shown.
Tighten nuts so battery
will not shift position.

OPERATING YOUR TRAIL MOWER
INTENDED USE
This Trail Mower is designed to produce a quality finish cut on lawns, golf courses, etc. It is
not designed to clear brush or cut saplings. Your Trail Mower should be towed behind an
ATV, a golf cart, lawn tractor, or similar approved vehicle. It is not meant for speeds
exceeding 5 mph.
ATTACHING TRAIL MOWER TO TOW VEHICLE
•Place mower behind vehicle and back vehicle up to desired attaching position.
•When offsetting Trail Mower do so to side opposite the discharge of the tow vehicle.
•Attach tow hitch (661) to the swivel hitch with hitch pin (H11). Make certain hitch
pin goes completely through each piece and is clipped to prevent accidental
separation.
•Attach red safety tether (H9C) to both the towing vehicle and to the Trail Mower
toggle switch (685SP), located on the left battery side cover (17614). Its purpose is to
manually stop mower engine or to stop mower engine in case the two machines
become separated. (See Motor Base Detail page 14).
•It is extremely important the safety tether is secured properly to both the toggle
switch and the towing vehicle.
STARTING THE ENGINE
See engine manufacturer’s instructions for the type and amount of oil and fuel used. Trail
Mowers with electric start engines will need a battery (sold separately). Swisher
recommends using a standard “U 1 R” lawn & garden battery.
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.
6
IMPORTANT: This engine is not equipped with a spark arrester muffler. It is a violation of
California Public Resource Code Section 4442 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.

•
Engine mus be level o accura ely check and fill oil. Do no overfill.
• Make sure he ow vehicle parking brake is se , mower is level, and blades are disengaged.
• Check spark plug wire, oil, and fuel.
• Check all elec rical connec ions (See Schema ics).
• Make sure oggle swi ch is urned “ON” and he red e her is properly a ached.
• Se engine idle o “CHOKE” posi ion.
• Wi h fee clear of mower deck, urn key swi ch o he “START” posi ion and release when
engine begins o run.
• Se engine idle a desired RPM.
BREAKING IN YOUR MOWER
• Se vehicle parking brake or chock wheels o preven acciden al rolling.
• S ar engine properly.
• Slowly, engage blade con rol.
• In a safe environmen , i.e. no children, allow blades o ro a e and engine o idle for 5
minu es. This breaks in he bel s and he engine.
• S op mower properly.
MOWER HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
• Adjus while mower is not running.
• The cu ing range is approxima ely 1.5” o 4.5”. The heigh has been measured from he
ground o he blade ip wi hou he engine running.
•
Ro a e heigh adjus crank handles (H7N) in a clockwise direc ion o lif he mower deck. A
coun er-clockwise direc ion is used o lower he mower deck.
• Make sure he heigh adjus men is he same a side crank handles. For bes resul s, see
“SUGGESTED PRACTICE” sec ion. Gradua ed scales are for reference only, no he
ac ual cu er heigh .
• Place crank handle in a re rac ed posi ion o main ain heigh adjus men .
STARTING TO MOW
• Adjus he cu ing heigh .
• Double check vehicle o mower a achmen .
• S ar mower engine properly.
• Slowly, ac iva e he blade engage lever (17611) by ro a ing i forward and lef un il he
lever locks in o place.
• Carefully moun ow vehicle and s ar mowing slowly.
STOPPING THE MOWING SESSION
• Pull safe y e her o shu oggle swi ch “OFF”. If he engine fails o s op or if he safe y
e her has become inoperable, hen use Al erna ive S opping Me hod.
CAUTION!
SHUT OFF MOWER ENGINE AND REMOVE SPARK PLUG WIRE FROM
SPARK PLUG BEFORE MAKING ANY ADJUSTMENTS TO THE MOWER.
7

ALTERNATIVE STOPPING METHOD
• Bring vehicle o comple e s op, shu off engine, and se parking brake.
• Disengage blade engage lever (17611).
• Manually shu oggle and key swi ches o heir “OFF” posi ions.
• Always remember o remove keys o avoid irresponsible usage.
TRANSPORTING MOWER
• S op mower properly.
• Place mower deck in i s highes posi ion.
• If ranspor ing wi hou he use of a ow vehicle, hen remove spark plug wire and
place where i canno con ac he spark plug.
SUGGESTED MOWING PRACTICES
• Opera e mower engine a full hro le o assure he bes cu ing performance and
maximum ma erial discharge.
• Allow we grass o dry. Clumps of we grass will collec under he mowing deck.
• Mowing should be s ar ed wi h ow vehicle in low gear and increased only as safe
mowing condi ions permi . This speed should no exceed 5 mph.
•
The average lawn should be cu o approxima ely 2.5” during he cool season and o
over 3” during he ho mon hs.
• For a heal hier lawn and be er aes he ics, your lawn should be mowed of en and
af er modera e grow h.
• When cu ing high or dense grass areas go slowly. Some areas may need o be
mowed wice. The second cu should be a 90 degrees o he firs , if possible.
• Mowing thick or high grass. Raise rear heigh crank handles o .5”-
.75” above he
o her wo handles.
• Creating a manicured lawn. Lower rear heigh crank handle o .25”-.5” below
fron of deck. This allows grass blades o be cu wice. I also con inually cu s
clippings o produce a mulching effec .
GENERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING
• The mower is no cu ing level.
o Level deck, making sure he side crank-handles are equal.
o Check air pressure of all ires; make sure hey are equal, and o
manufac ures specifica ions.
o Examine blades for damage, while mower engine is no running.
• The engine will no s ar .
o
Disengage blades, urn oggle swi ch o “ON” posi ion, check ba ery and all
o her elec rical connec ions, and inspec spark plug and wire.
o Check for fuel in he engine.
• Engine runs poorly.
o See engine manual.
o Check hro le adjus er.
o Replace fuel, clean fuel fil er and fuel line.
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.
8

MOWER MAINTENANCE
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
The warran y on his Trail Mower does no cover i ems ha have been subjec ed o opera or abuse or negligence.
To receive full value from he warran y, opera or mus main ain uni as ins ruc ed in his manual.
Some adjus men s will need o be made periodically o main ain your uni properly.
All adjus men s in his manual should be checked a leas once each season.
Periodically inspec and clean excessive debris inside he ba ery cover (17340) and bel covers (6025). Disconnec
spark plug wire before cleaning.
BEFORE EACH USE
• Check engine oil level on a level surface. Check wice o insure an accura e reading.
• Check condi ion of air fil er; clean and replace as necessary.
• Check blade opera ion; keep blades in good condi ion.
• Check for loose fas eners and igh en hem as needed.
AFTER EACH USE
• Keep blades sharp.
• Remove fresh grass clippings wi h garden hose.
• Grass clippings hardened o he underside should be scraped ou wi h a pu y knife.
• Keep fluids a proper levels.
• Cover uni o preven rain or o her debris buildup. Defini ely cover he engine.
BEFORE AND/OR AFTER EACH SEASON
• Replace he spark plug.
• Clean or replace he air fil er.
• A new spark plug and clean air fil er assure proper air-fuel mix ure and help your engine run be er and las
longer.
• Check blades and bel s for wear. Replace as necessary.
STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS
CAUTION!
Do no s ore engine indoors or o her poorly ven ila ed area. Keep engine away from gas appliances
where fumes could con ac open flame, pilo ligh s, or sparks.
If engine is to be stored for 0 or more days, prepare unit as follows:
• Drain fuel ou side in o an approved con ainer.
• S ar engine properly and run un il uni is ou of fuel.
• Le engine cool.
• Remove remaining gasoline from carbure or and fuel ank o preven gum deposi s from forming wi hin
he engine. Gum deposi s can cause malfunc ion in he engine.
• S ore mower wi h blades disengaged o preven bel s from being permanen ly s re ched.
BLADE CARE AND SERVICE
For bes resul s cu er blades mus be kep sharp. The blades can be sharpened wi h a few s rokes of a file or
grinding wheel. Do no a emp o sharpen blades while hey are on he mower. Disconnect spark plug wire before
servicing unit.
Important: Replace blades that have been damaged or deeply nicked.
Important: Check blade and spindle hardware on a regular basis to make sure nuts are tight.
Only a qualified mechanic should be used for any
adjus men s, disassembly or o her kind of repairs.
9

10
FRAME ASSEMBLY
ITEM # QTY.
PART NO.
DESCRIPTION
1 1 3664 Bar - Right Sway
1 3665 Bar - Left Sway
3 1 17600* Weldment - T60 Frame
4 F4157WK Wheel/Tire 5/8" Bearing 13/5/6 NHS; Blk
5 1 66 * Weldment - Tongue Offset Extension
6 1 661A* Weldment - Solid Stock Hitch
7 1 661* Weldment - Tongue Hitch Extension
8 -- See Caster/Wheel Assembly Detail
ITEM # QTY. PART NO. DESCRIPTION
9 6 NB1 6 Pin - 1/8" X 1" Cott er
10 4 T PB Bushing - Plastic
11 4 NB178 Washer - 5/8 ID X 1 OD 10 GA
1 NB149 Washer - 5/8 ID X 1 OD 14 GA
13 4 H11 Pin - Safety Hitch
14 3 10579 Bushing -Stepped Height Adjust
15 3 H7N Assembly - Height Adjustment
16 3 10038 Bolt - Eye
ONLY INCLUDED ON “CA MODELS
(FOR CALIFORNIA ONLY)
Item # Qty Description Part #
1 1 Carbon Canister - 2.50 Gallon, 3/16 Line 18224
2 2 Cable Tie - Carbon Canister 18219
3 4 Nut - 10-24 Nylon Lock 024900
4 2 Bracket - Carbon Canister, ZT 17127
5 4 crew - 10-24 X 3/4 Phil Truss Head ZP 024203
Item # Qty Description Part #
1 2 Ubolt - Q , 3/8-16X2.437 X 3 Lg GR 5 ZY 12447
2 2 Nut - Nylock 1/4-20 NB180
3 4 Nut - Nyloc 3/8-16 ZY NB182
4 1 Mount - For EPA/CARB Gas Tank 18331*
5 1 Fuel Tank - 2.5 Gallon, Carb 18214
6 1 Cap, Fuel - 2.50 Gallon, Carb ealed 18221
7 1 Bracket - Fuel Tank 18225
8 2 Bolt - err Flange 1/4-20 X 1 3/4 GR5 ZY 18236
GAS TANK
ASSEMBLY DETAIL
4
5
Part # Description
11782 Line - Fuel, Bulk, 1/4" Low Perm
18232 Line - Fuel, Bulk, 3/16" Low Perm
18223 Clamp - Fuel Line 13/32 OD, 3/16 ID Tube
A 021 Tie, Black 5 1/2"
Parts Not Shown
When ordering replacemen par s
*USE PAINT CODE: GT=GRAY TK=BLACK
SEE HEIGHT ADJUST
HANDLE DETAIL
SEE CASTER/WHEEL
ASSEMBLY DETAIL