Toro 79090 User manual

Operator’s Manual
IMPORTANT: Read this manual carefully. It contains information about your
safety and the safety of others. Also become familiar with the controls and
their proper use before you operate the product.

FORM NO. 3319–747
EASY–EMPTY
GRASS CATCHER
for 825 Rear Engine Riders
Model No. 79090 – 8900001 & Up

Printed in USA
Introduction
We want you to be completely satisfied with your
new product, so feel free to contact your local
Authorized Service Dealer for help with service,
genuine replacement parts, or other information you
may require.
Whenever you contact your Authorized Service
Dealer or the factory, always know the model and
serial numbers of your product. These numbers will
help the Service Dealer or Service Representative
provide exact information about your specific
product. You will find the model and serial number
plate located in a unique place on the product as
shown below.
1
1375
1. Model and Serial Number Plate
For your convenience, write the product model and
serial numbers in the space below.
Model No:
Serial No.
The warning system in this manual identifies
potential hazards and has special safety messages that
help you and others avoid personal injury, even death.
DANGER, WARNING and CAUTION are signal
words used to identify the level of hazard. However,
regardless of the hazard, be extremely careful.
DANGER signals an extreme hazard that will cause
serious injury or death if the recommended
precautions are not followed.
WARNING signals a hazard that may cause serious
injury or death if the recommended precautions are
not followed.
CAUTION signals a hazard that may cause minor or
moderate injury if the recommended precautions are
not followed.
Two other words are also used to highlight
information. “Important” calls attention to special
mechanical information and “Note” emphasizes
general information worthy of special attention.
The left and right side of the machine is determined
by sitting on the seat in the normal operator’s
position.

1
Contents
Page
Safety and Instruction Decals 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loose Parts 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing the Grass Catcher 3. . . . . . . . . . . .
Removing the Grass Catcher 5. . . . . . . . . . .
Operation 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emptying the Grass Basket 6. . . . . . . . . . . .
Page
Clearing Obstructions from the Grass
Catcher 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating and Bagging Tips 6. . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inspecting the Grass Catcher 8. . . . . . . . . . .
Inspecting the Mower Blades 8. . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning the Grass Catcher 8. . . . . . . . . . . .
Storing the Grass Catcher 8. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Safety
2
Safety and Instruction Decals
Safety decals and instructions are easily visible to the operator and are located near
any area of potential danger. Replace any decal that is damaged or lost.
ON CHUTE
(Part No. 54–9220)
ON GRASS BASKET
(Part No. 92–2511)

3
Installation
Loose Parts
DESCRIPTION QTY. USE
Muffler Deflector 1 Install muffler deflector
Grass Basket
Dump Handle
Muffler Shield
Bolt (1/4”–20 x 1 1/4”)
Locknut (1/4”–20)
1
1
1
1
1
Assemble and install grass basket
Duct
Barbed Clip
Spacer Fastener
Retainer
1
1
1Install duct
Chute
Wing Nut (1/4”–20)
1
1Install discharge chute
Installing the Grass Catcher
Installing the Muffler Deflector
1. Remove the 4 screws from the muffler deflector
and discard the deflector (Fig. 1).
2. Install the new muffler deflector using the
screws removed in step 1. While installing,
ensure that the muffler discharge opening is
pointing to the left in the 10 o’clock position. 2
1
Figure 1
1 Muffler Deflector 2 Screws

Installation
4
Assembling and Installing the Grass
Basket
1. Place the grass basket on the ground, ensuring
that the hole in the top of the basket is facing
upward.
2. Open the basket and slide the dump handle
through the holes in the basket and handle guide
(Fig. 2).
Note: The dump handle grip should be
outside of the basket.
3. Insert the 1/4”–20 x 1 1/4” bolt through the
holes in the end of the dump handle and secure it
with the 1/4”–20 locknut (Fig. 2).
553
1
2
5
34
Figure 2
1 Dump Handle
2 Hole in Grass Basket
3 Handle Guide
4 1/4”–20 Locknut
5 14”–20 x 1 1/4” bolt
4. Pull the dump handle up until it stops, then close
the grass basket. Push the dump handle down
until it stops.
Note: When the dump handle is pushed in
completely, the basket should not be
able to open. If the basket opens,
either the dump handle is not pushed in
far enough or the basket is not fully
closed.
5. Insert the grass catcher hitch pin into the hole in
the mower hitch (Fig. 3).
6. Insert the mounting pins on the v–bracket into
the holes in the mounting bracket on the rider
and secure them with the hairpin cotters attached
to the v–bracket (Fig. 3).
742
3
2
4
1
5
Figure 3
1 Hitch Pin
2 Hitch Hole
3 Mounting Pins
4 Mounting Bracket
5 Hairpin Cotter (only one
shown)

Installation
5
Installing the Chute and Duct
1. Secure the retainer to the duct with the barbed
clip and spacer fastener (Fig. 4).
2. Slide the duct over the end of the chute, aligning
the retainer with the knob on the chute. Pull the
retainer over the knob, securing the duct and
chute (Fig. 4).
738
1
2
34
5
6
Figure 4
1 Duct
2 Chute
3 Barbed Clip
4 Retainer
5 Spacer Fastener
6 Knob
3. Slide the duct into the hole in the grass basket.
4. Slide the chute under the deflector on the mower,
inserting the front of the chute into the v–bracket
inside of the mower housing (Fig. 5).
5. Install and secure the rear of the chute onto the
mounting pin on the mower housing with a wing
nut (Fig. 5).
744
3
2
1
Figure 5
1 Chute
2 Wing Nut on Mounting Pin 3 Deflector
Testing the Installation
1. Pull up on the dump handle and open the grass
basket.
2. Close the grass basket completely and push the
dump handle down until it stops.
3. Ensure that the grass basket will not open with
the dump handle pushed down fully.
Removing the Grass Catcher
POTENTIAL HAZARD
•Sometimes people are tempted to operate
the mower with the duct or chute removed.
This exposes you and others to thrown
debris and blade contact.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
•You and others may die or be injured
severely if you are hit by thrown debris or
cut by the blade.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
•Always operate the mower with the
complete grass catcher mounted in place or
use the mower to side discharge, making
sure that the grass deflector is in the down
position.
1. Disconnect the retainer on the duct from the
knob on the chute and pull the duct free from the
chute and grass basket (Fig. 4).
2. Remove the wing nut securing the chute to the
mower and pull the chute out of the mower
(Fig. 5).
3. Remove the hairpin cotters securing the grass
basket to the mounting bracket on the mower.
Rock the basket backward, then pull it free of the
mower hitch (Fig. 3).
4. Store all grass catcher parts in a convenient
place.

6
Operation
To Avoid Personal Injury:
•Become familiar with all operating and
safety instructions in the operator’s manual
for your mower before using this
attachment.
•Never remove the duct, basket, or chute
while the engine is running.
•Always shut the engine off before clearing
an obstruction.
•Never do maintenance or repairs while the
engine is running.
Emptying the Grass Basket
1. Move the blade control to DISENGAGE (this
stops the mower blades), then back the mower
up to the area where you want to dump the grass
clippings.
2. Stop the mower, shift to NEUTRAL, and shut
the engine off.
3. Pull up on the dump handle and swing the grass
basket open.
4. Empty the grass basket
5. Close the grass basket completely and push the
dump handle down until it stops. Ensure that the
grass basket will not open.
Clearing Obstructions from the
Grass Catcher
1. Stop the mower and shift to NEUTRAL.
2. Raise the mower housing to the highest possible
position and slap the side of the duct near the
obstruction.
If the obstruction does not clear, complete the
following:
3. Move the blade control to DISENGAGE (this
stops the mower blades). Shut the engine off
before you get off the mower.
4. Check the grass basket and empty it if full.
5. Remove and separate the duct and chute from
the grass basket and mower. Using a stick or
similar object, carefully remove and clear the
obstruction from the mower, duct, chute, and
grass basket.
6. After you remove the obstruction, install the
complete grass catcher and resume operation.
Operating and Bagging Tips
Size
Remember that the mower is longer and wider with
this attachment installed. By turning too sharply in
confined places you may damage the attachment.
Trimming
Always trim with the left side of the mower. Do not
trim with the right side of the mower because you
could damage the chute and duct.
Cutting Height
Do not set the mower cutting height too low because
long grass surrounding the mower can prevent air
from getting under the mower and entering the grass
catcher. If enough air doesn’t get under the mower,
the grass catcher will plug.

Operation
7
Cutting Frequency
Cut the grass often, especially when it grows rapidly.
You will have to cut your grass twice if it gets
excessively long (refer to Catching Long Grass,
page 7).
Cutting Technique
For best lawn appearance, be sure to slightly overlap
the mower into the previously cut area. This helps
reduce the load on the engine and reduces the chance
of plugging the grass catcher.
Grass Catching Speed
Most often you will bag with the mower throttle in
the FAST position and drive in 1st. gear, which is the
slowest ground speed. However, in extremely dry and
dusty grass, you may want to lower throttle speed and
shift gear selector to a higher gear to maintain ground
speed. The grass catcher may plug if you drive too
fast, causing the engine to slow down with the extra
work load.
POTENTIAL HAZARD
•As the grass basket fills, extra weight is
added to the back of the tractor.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
•If you stop and start suddenly on hills, you
may lose steering control or the mower may
tip.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
•Do not start or stop suddenly when going
uphill or downhill. Avoid uphill starts.
•If you do stop the mower when going
uphill, move the blade control to
DISENGAGE (stop the mower blades).
Then back down the hill using slow reverse
speed.
•Do not change speeds or stop on slopes.
Catching Long Grass
Excessively long grass is heavy and may not be
propelled completely into the grass basket. If this
happens, the duct and chute may plug. To avoid
plugging the grass catcher, mow the grass at a high
height-of-cut, then lower the mower to your normal
cutting height and repeat the catching process.
Catching Wet Grass
Always try to cut grass when it is dry because your
lawn will have a neat appearance. If you must cut wet
grass, use the conventional side discharge feature of
the mower. Several hours later, when the clippings are
dry, install the complete grass catcher and vacuum up
the grass clippings.
Signs of Plugging
As you are catching grass, a small amount of grass
clippings normally blow out the front of the mower.
An excessive amount of clipping blow-out indicates
that the basket is full or the system is plugged.

8
Maintenance
Inspecting the Grass Catcher
Inspect the grass catcher after the first ten hours of
operation and monthly thereafter.
1. Check the duct, chute, and grass basket. Replace
these parts if they are cracked or broken.
2. Tighten all nuts bolts and screws.
Inspecting the Mower Blades
1. Inspect the mower blades regularly and
whenever a blade strikes a foreign object.
2. If blades are badly worn or damaged, install new
blades. Refer to your tractor or mower operator’s
manual for complete blade maintenance.
Cleaning the Grass Catcher
1. After each use, remove and wash the inside and
outside of the grass basket, duct, chute, and the
underside of the mower, using water sprayed
from a garden hose. Use a mild automotive
detergent to remove stubborn dirt.
POTENTIAL HAZARD
•If you store grass clippings in the grass
basket, under the right conditions,
spontaneous combustion (a fire-generating
process that occurs without an external
source of ignition) could occur.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
•If a fire occurs, property could be damaged
and/or someone could be injured.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
•The grass basket is not a storage container.
Never store grass clippings and debris in
the basket.
2. Make sure you remove matted grass from all
parts.
3. After washing let all parts dry thoroughly.
Storing the Grass Catcher
1. Clean the grass catcher (refer to Cleaning the
Grass Catcher, page 8).
2. Inspect the grass catcher for damage (refer to
Inspecting the Grass Catcher, page 8).
3. Store the grass catcher in a clean, dry place, out
of direct sunlight. This protects the plastic parts
and extends the life of the grass catcher. If you
must store the grass catcher outside, cover it
with a weatherproof cover.