Toro 20197 User manual

FormNo.3363-714RevB
SuperBaggerLawnMower
ModelNo.20197—SerialNo.310000001andUp
Operator'sManual
Introduction
Thisrotary-blade,walk-behindlawnmoweris
intendedtobeusedbyresidentialhomeowners.
Itisdesignedprimarilyforcuttinggrasson
well-maintainedlawnsonresidentialproperties.It
isnotdesignedforcuttingbrushorforagricultural
uses.
Readthisinformationcarefullytolearnhowtooperate
andmaintainyourproductproperlyandtoavoidinjury
andproductdamage.Youareresponsibleforoperating
theproductproperlyandsafely.
YoumaycontactTorodirectlyatwww.Toro.comfor
productandaccessoryinformation,helpndinga
dealer,ortoregisteryourproduct.
Wheneveryouneedservice,genuineToroparts,or
additionalinformation,contactanAuthorizedService
DealerorToroCustomerServiceandhavethemodel
andserialnumbersofyourproductready.Figure1
identiesthelocationofthemodelandserialnumbers
ontheproduct.Writethenumbersinthespace
provided.
Figure1
1.Modelandserialnumberplate
ModelNo.
SerialNo.
Thismanualidentiespotentialhazardsandhas
safetymessagesidentiedbythesafetyalertsymbol
(Figure2),whichsignalsahazardthatmaycauseserious
injuryordeathifyoudonotfollowtherecommended
precautions.
Figure2
1.Safetyalertsymbol
Thismanualusestwowordstohighlightinformation.
Importantcallsattentiontospecialmechanical
informationandNoteemphasizesgeneralinformation
worthyofspecialattention.
WARNING
CALIFORNIA
Proposition65Warning
Theengineexhaustfromthisproduct
containschemicalsknowntotheStateof
Californiatocausecancer,birthdefects,
orotherreproductiveharm.
Important:Thisengineisnotequippedwitha
sparkarrestermufer.ItisaviolationofCalifornia
PublicResourceCodeSection4442touseoroperate
theengineonanyforest-covered,brush-covered,or
grass-coveredland.Otherstatesorfederalareas
mayhavesimilarlaws.
ThissparkignitionsystemcomplieswithCanadian
ICES-002.
Theenclosed
Engine Owner’ s Man ual issupplied
forinformationregardingtheUSEnvironmental
ProtectionAgency(EPA)andtheCalifornia
EmissionControlRegulationofemissionsystems,
maintenance,andwarranty.Replacementsmaybe
orderedthroughtheenginemanufacturer.
Formodelswithstatedenginehorsepower,thegross
horsepoweroftheenginewaslaboratoryratedbythe
enginemanufacturerinaccordancewithSAEJ1940.
Asconguredtomeetsafety,emission,andoperating
requirements,theactualenginehorsepoweronthisclass
oflawnmowerwillbesignicantlylower.
Donottamperwiththeenginecontrolsoralterthe
governorspeed;doingsomaycreateanunsafecondition
resultinginpersonalinjury.
©2011—TheToro®Company
8111LyndaleAvenueSouth
Bloomington,MN55420
Registeratwww.Toro.com.OriginalInstructions(EN)
PrintedintheUSA
AllRightsReserved

Safety
ThislawnmowermeetsorexceedstheCPSCblade
safetyrequirementsforwalk-behindrotarylawnmowers
andtheB71.1specicationsoftheAmericanNational
StandardsInstituteineffectatthetimeofproduction.
Readandunderstandthecontentsofthismanual
beforeyoustarttheengine.
Thesafetyalertsymbol(Figure2)isusedtoalertyou
topotentialpersonalinjuryhazards.Obeyallsafety
messagesthatfollowthissymboltoavoidpossibleinjury
ordeath.Improperlyusingormaintainingthismower
couldresultininjuryordeath.Toreducethispotential,
complywiththefollowingsafetyinstructions.
Thefollowinginstructionshavebeenadaptedfromthe
ANSI/OPEIstandardB71.1-2003.
Thiscuttingmachineiscapableofamputating
handsandfeetandofthrowingobjects.Failure
toobservethefollowingsafetyinstructionscould
resultinseriousinjuryordeath.
GeneralOperation
•Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionsonthe
machineandinthemanual(s)beforestarting.
•Donotputhandsorfeetnearorunderthemachine.
Keepclearofthedischargeopeningatalltimes.
•Onlyallowresponsibleadults,whoarefamiliarwith
theinstructions,tooperatethismachine.
•Cleartheareaofobjectssuchasrocks,wire,toys,
etc.,whichcouldbethrownbytheblade.Stay
behindthehandlewhentheengineisrunning.
•Besuretheareaisclearofbystandersbefore
operating.Stopmachineifanyoneentersthearea.
•Donotoperatemachinebarefootedorwhilewearing
sandals.Alwayswearsubstantialfootwear.
•Donotpullmachinebackwardunlessabsolutely
necessary.Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeand
whilemovingbackward.
•Neverdirectdischargedmaterialtowardanyone.
Avoiddischargingmaterialagainstawallor
obstruction.Materialmayricochetbacktoward
theoperator.Stopthebladewhencrossinggravel
surfaces.
•Donotoperatemachinewithouttheentiregrass
catcher,dischargeguard,rearguard,orothersafety
protectivedevicesinplaceandworking.
•Neverleavearunningmachineunattended.
•Stoptheengineandwaituntilthebladecomes
toacompletestopbeforecleaningthemachine,
removinggrasscatcher,oruncloggingthedischarge
guard.
•Operatemachineonlyindaylightorgoodarticial
light.
•Donotoperatemachinewhileundertheinuence
ofalcoholordrugs.
•Neveroperatemowerinwetgrass.Alwaysbesure
ofyourfooting;walk;neverrun.
•Disengagethedrivesystem,ifsoequipped,before
startingtheengine.
•Ifthemachineshouldstarttovibrateabnormally,
stoptheengineandcheckforthecauseimmediately.
Vibrationisgenerallyawarningoftrouble.
•Alwaysweareyeprotectionwhenoperatingmachine.
•Seemanufacturer’sinstructionsforproperoperation
andinstallationofaccessories.Onlyuseaccessories
approvedbythemanufacturer.
SlopeOperation
Slopesareamajorfactorrelatedtoslipandfallaccidents,
whichcanresultinsevereinjury.Operationonallslopes
requireextracaution.Ifyoufeeluneasyonaslope,do
notmowit.
•Mowacrossthefaceofslopes;neverupanddown.
Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirection
onslopes.
•Watchforholes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orotherhidden
objects.Uneventerraincouldcauseaslipandfall
accident.Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.
•Donotmowonwetgrassorexcessivelysteepslopes.
Poorfootingcouldcauseaslipandfallaccident.
•Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditches,or
embankments.Youcouldloseyourfootingor
balance.
Children
Tragicaccidentscanoccuriftheoperatorisnotalertto
thepresenceofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedto
themachineandthemowingactivity.Neverassume
thatchildrenwillremainwhereyoulastsawthem.
•Keepchildrenoutofthemowingareaandunder
thewatchfulcareofaresponsibleadultotherthan
theoperator.
•Bealertandturnmoweroffifachildentersthearea.
•Neverallowchildrentooperatethemachine.
•Useextracarewhenapproachingblindcorners,
shrubs,trees,orotherobjectsthatmayblockyour
viewofachild.
2

Service
SafeHandlingofGasoline
Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamage,use
extremecareinhandlinggasoline.Gasolineis
extremelyammableandthevaporsareexplosive.
•Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipes,andother
sourcesofignition.
•Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.
•Neverremovegascaporaddfuelwiththeengine
running.Allowenginetocoolbeforerefueling.
•Neverrefuelthemachineindoors.
•Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainerwhere
thereisanopename,spark,orpilotlightsuchas
onawaterheateroronotherappliances.
•Neverllcontainersinsideavehicleoronatruck
ortrailerbedwithaplasticliner.Alwaysplace
containersonthegroundawayfromyourvehicle
beforelling.
•Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruck
ortrailerandrefuelitontheground.Ifthisisnot
possible,thenrefuelsuchequipmentwithaportable
container,ratherthanfromagasolinedispenser
nozzle.
•Keepthenozzleincontactwiththerimofthefuel
tankorcontaineropeningatalltimesuntilfuelingis
complete.Donotuseanozzlelock-opendevice.
•Iffuelisspilledonclothing,changeclothing
immediately.
•Neveroverllfueltank.Replacegascapandtighten
securely.
WARNING
Exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorless,
deadlypoisonthatcankillyou.
Donotruntheengineindoorsorinanenclosed
area.
GeneralService
•Neveroperatemachineinaclosedarea.
•Keepallnutsandboltstighttobesuretheequipment
isinsafeworkingcondition.
•Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheir
properoperationregularly.
•Keepmachinefreeofgrass,leaves,orotherdebris
build-up.Cleanupoilorfuelspillageandremove
anyfuel-soakeddebris.Allowmachinetocool
beforestoring.
•Ifyoustrikeaforeignobject,stopandinspectthe
machine.Repair,ifnecessary,beforestarting.
•Nevermakeanyadjustmentsorrepairswiththe
enginerunning.Disconnectthesparkplugwire
andgroundagainstenginetopreventunintended
starting.
•Checkgrasscatchercomponentsandthedischarge
guardfrequentlyandreplacewithmanufacturer’s
recommendedparts,whennecessary.
•Mowerbladesaresharp.Wrapthebladeorwear
gloves,anduseextracautionwhenservicingthem.
•Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingor
overspeedtheengine.
•Maintainorreplacesafetyandinstructionlabels,as
necessary.
3

SafetyandInstructionalDecals
Important:Safetyandinstructiondecalsarelocatednearareasofpotentialdanger.Replacedamaged
decals.
94-8072
110-9457
1.EngineswitchOff3.Unlocked
2.EngineswitchOn4.Locked
117-5902
1.HandleUpright3.Releasefootswitchtofold
handle
2.Handlefolded
114-2820
1.Warning—readthe
Operator’sManual.
4.Cutting/dismemberment
hazardofhandorfoot,
mowerblade—stayaway
frommovingparts.
2.Thrownobject
hazard—keepbystanders
asafedistancefromthe
machine.
5.Cutting/dismemberment
hazardofhandorfoot,
mowerblade—remove
theignitionkeyandread
theinstructionsbefore
servicingorperforming
maintenance.
3.Thrownobjecthazard—do
notoperatethemower
withoutthereardischarge
plugorbaginplace;do
notoperatethemower
withoutthesidedischarge
coverordeectorinplace.
6.Cutting/dismemberment
hazardofhandorfoot,
mowerblade—donot
operateupanddown
slopes;operatesideto
sideonslopes;stopthe
enginebeforeleavingthe
operatingposition;and
lookbehindyouwhen
backingup.
119-3796
1.Toengagetheblade,pressthebutton.
2.Pullbackthebailtothehandle.
4

Setup
1
UnfoldingtheHandle
NoPartsRequired
Procedure
1.Movethehandlerearwardandholdtheupperhandle
inplace(Figure3).
Figure3
Note:Thehandlewillclickintoposition.
2.Tightentheupperhandleknobastightasyoucan
(Figure4).
Figure4
2
FillingtheEnginewithOil
Partsneededforthisprocedure:
0.58
quart
(0.55l)
SAE30detergentoilwithanAPIserviceclassication
ofSH,SJ,SL,orhigher(notsuppliedwiththemower).
Procedure
Important:Yourmower does not comewithoil
intheengine.
1.Removethedipstick(Figure5).
Figure5
2.Slowlypouroilintotheoillltube,periodically
checkingthelevelwiththedipstick,untilthedipstick
indicatesthattheengineisfullasillustratedin
Figure5.Donotoverll.(Max.ll:0.58quart(0.55
l),type:SAE30detergentoilwithanAPIservice
classicationofSH,SJ,SL,orhigher.)
Note:Eachtimeyouchecktheoillevel,removethe
dipstickandwipeitclean,insertitintotheoilller
neck(butdonotscrewitin),thenremoveitagain
andcheckthelevel(Figure5).
5

Note:Ifyouoverlltheengine,poursomeoilout
ofitasdirectedinChangingtheEngineOil.
3.Installthedipsticksecurely.
Important: Change the engine oil after the r st
5 operating hour s ;changeityearlythereafter.
RefertoChangingtheEngineOil.
3
InstalltheMulchPlugorGrass
Bag
NoPartsRequired
Procedure
Youmustcorrectlyinstallthemulchplug(formulching
orside-discharging)orgrassbag(forbagging)orthe
enginewillnotstart.
Themowerhasasafetyswitch,locatedatthebottom
ofachannelonthetop,rightrearofthemower,that
preventsthemowerfromoperatingwithoutamulch
plugorgrassbag.Thispreventsthemowerfrom
throwingdebrisattheoperatorthroughtherearchute.
Fortheswitchtodetectthepresenceofthemulchplug,
thetopofthemulchpluglevermustliefullyinthe
bottomofthechannel(Figure6).
Figure6
1.Topofmulchplugleverinswitchchannel
1.Insertthemulchplugintothemower,ifitisn’t
alreadyinstalled(Figure7).
Figure7
2.Squeezethebuttonontheleverwithyourthumb
andfullyinsertthemulchplugintotheopening
(Figure8).
Figure8
3.Releasethebuttonontheleverandensurethatthe
topoftheleverisliesfullyintheswitchchannel
(Figure9).Ifthetopoftheleverisnotinthe
switchchannel,yourmowerwillnotstart!
Figure9
6

Note:Iftheleverdoesnotlatchproperly,
disconnectthewirefromthesparkplugandcheck
forandremoveanydebrisbuildupinthetunnel.
ProductOverview
G012240
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Figure10
1.Cuttingheightlever8.Upperhandleknob
2.Oilll/Dipstick(notshown)9.Fueltankcap
3.Recoilstarthandle10.Footpedal
4.Bladecontrolbar11.Fuelvalve
5.Upperhandle12.Airlter
6.Bladecontrolbutton13.Sparkplug
7.Ignitionswitch
Figure11
1.Grassbag3.Mulchplug(comes
installedonthemower)
2.Sidedischargechute
Operation
FillingtheFuelTank
DANGER
Gasolineisextremelyammableandexplosive.A
reorexplosionfromgasolinecanburnyouand
others.
•Topreventastaticchargefromignitingthe
gasoline,placethecontainerand/ormower
directlyonthegroundbeforelling,notina
vehicleoronanobject.
•Fillthetankoutdoorswhentheengineiscold.
Wipeupspills.
•Donothandlegasolinewhensmokingoraround
anopenameorsparks.
•Storegasolineinanapprovedfuelcontainer,out
ofthereachofchildren.
Fillthefueltankwithfreshunleadedregulargasoline
fromamajorname-brandservicestation(Figure12).
Important:Toreducestartingproblems,add
fuelstabilizertothefuelallseason,mixingitwith
gasolinelessthan30daysold.
Figure12
7

CheckingtheEngineOilLevel
ServiceInterval:Beforeeachuseordaily
1.Removethedipstick,wipeitclean,andinsertitinto
theoilllerneck,butdonotscrewitin(Figure13).
Figure13
2.Removethedipstickandchecktheoillevel
(Figure13).
Ifthereisnooilonthedipstick,slowlypouroil
intotheoillltube,periodicallycheckingthelevel
withthedipstick,untilthedipstickindicatesthat
theengineisfullasillustratedinFigure13.Donot
overll.(Max.ll:0.58quart(0.55l),type:SAE
30detergentoilwithanAPIserviceclassication
ofSH,SJ,SL,orhigher.)
Note:Ifyouoverlltheengine,poursomeoilout
ofitasdirectedinChangingtheEngineOil.
3.Installthedipsticksecurely.
AdjustingtheCuttingHeight
WARNING
Adjustingthecuttingheightmaybringyouinto
contactwiththemovingblade,causingserious
injury.
•Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingparts
tostop.
•Donotputyourngersunderthehousingwhen
adjustingthecuttingheight.
Adjustthecuttingheightasdesired.Setallfourwheels
tothesameheight.
Note:Toraisethemower,moveall4cuttingheight
leversforward;tolowerthemower,movethem
rearward.
Figure14
8

AdjustingtheUpperHandle
Height
Youmayraiseorlowertheupperhandletoaposition
comfortableforyou.
Note:Youcannotraisetheupperhandlehigherthan
theangleofthelowerhandle.
1.Loosentheupperhandleknob(Figure15).
Figure15
2.Movetheupperhandletothedesiredposition
(Figure16).
Figure16
3.Tightentheupperhandleknobastightasyoucan
(Figure17).
Figure17
StartingtheEngine
Important:Themowerhasasafetyswitchthat
preventsyoufromstartingthemowerunlessyou
rstinstallthemulchplugorthegrassbagsecurely
onthemower.
1.Installthemulchplug(Figure18)orthegrassbag
(Figure19)onthemower.
Figure18
Figure19
2.TurnthefuelvalvelevertotheOnposition
(Figure20).
Figure20
3.Pulltherecoilstarter(Figure21).
9

Figure21
Note:Ifthemowerstilldoesnotstart,contactan
AuthorizedServiceDealer.
UsingtheSelf-propelDrive
Tooperatetheself-propeldrive,simplywalkwithyour
handsontheupperhandleandyourelbowsatyour
sides,andthemowerwillautomaticallykeeppacewith
you(Figure22).
Figure22
1.Nudgehere
Note:If,whenbackingupafterself-propelling,the
mowerdoesnotrollbackwardfreely,nudgethemower
forwardaboutaninchortwowithoutengagingthe
self-propeldrive(Figure22),thenpullthemower
backward.
EngagingtheBlade
Whenyoustarttheenginethebladedoesnotturn.You
mustengagethebladetomow.
1.Pushthebladecontrolbuttonandpulltheblade
controlbartothehandle(Figure23).
Figure23
2.Holdthebladecontrolbaragainstthehandle
(Figure24).
Figure24
DisengagingtheBlade
Releasethebladecontrolbar(Figure25).
Figure25
Important:Whenyoureleasethebladecontrol
bar,thebladeshouldstopwithin3seconds.If
itdoesnotstopproperly,stopusingyourmower
10

immediatelyandcontactanAuthorizedService
Dealer.
CheckingtheBladeBrake
ClutchOperation
Checkthecontrolbarbeforeeachusetoensurethatthe
bladebrakeclutchsystemisoperatingproperly.
UsingtheGrassBag
ServiceInterval:Beforeeachuseordaily
Youcanusethegrassbagtoperformanadditionaltest
tocheckthebladebrakeclutchmechanism.
1.Installtheemptygrassbagonthemower.
2.Starttheengine.
3.Engagetheblade.
Note:Thebagshouldbegintoinate,indicating
thatthebladeisengagedandrotating.
4.Releasethebladecontrolbar.
Note:Ifthebagdoesnotimmediatelydeate,
thebladeisstillrotating.Thebladebrakeclutch
mechanismmaybedeterioratingand,ifignored,
couldresultinanunsafeoperatingcondition.Have
themowerinspectedandservicedbyanAuthorized
ServiceDealer.
5.Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingpartstostop.
NotUsingtheGrassBag
1.Movethemowerontoapavedsurfaceina
non-windyarea.
2.Setall4wheelstothe3inch(76mm)cutsetting.
3.Takeahalfsheetofnewspaperandcrumpleitinto
aballsmallenoughtogounderthemowerhousing
(about3inchesor76mmindiameter).
4.Placethenewspaperballabout5inches(13cm)in
frontofthemower(Figure26).
Figure26
5.Starttheengine.
6.Engagetheblade.
7.Releasethebladecontrolbar.
8.Immediatelypushthemoweroverthenewspaper
ball.
9.Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingpartstostop.
10.Gotothefrontofthemowerandcheckthe
newspaperball.
Note:Ifthenewspaperballdidnotgounderthe
mower,repeatsteps2through10.
11.Ifthenewspaperisunravelledorshredded,the
bladedidnotstopproperly,whichcouldresultinan
unsafeoperatingcondition.ContactanAuthorized
ServiceDealer.
StoppingtheEngine
ServiceInterval:Beforeeachuseordaily
HolddowntheignitionswitchintheStoppositionuntil
theenginestops.
Important:Whenyoureleasethebladecontrol
bar,boththeengineandbladeshouldstopwithin
3seconds.Iftheydonotstopproperly,stopusing
yourmowerimmediatelyandcontactanAuthorized
ServiceDealer.
MulchingtheClippings
Yourmowercomesfromthefactoryreadytomulchthe
grassandleafclippingsbackintothelawn.
Ifthegrassbagisonthemower,removeit(referto
RemovingtheGrassBag)beforemulchingtheclippings.
Ifthesidedischargechuteisonthemower,removeit
andlockthesidedischargedoor(refertoRemovingthe
SideDischargeChute)beforemulchingtheclippings.
Important:Themowerhasasafetyswitchthat
preventsyoufromstartingthemowerunlessyou
rstinstallthemulchplugsecurelyonthemower
(Figure27).
InstallthemulchplugasillustratedinFigure27.
11

Figure27
1.Topofmulchplugleverinswitchchannel
BaggingtheClippings
Usethegrassbagwhenyouwanttocollectgrassand
leafclippingsfromthelawn.
Ifthesidedischargechuteisonthemower,removeit
andlockthesidedischargedoor(refertoRemovingthe
SideDischargeChute)beforebaggingtheclippings.
WARNING
Aworngrassbagcouldallowsmallstonesand
othersimilardebristobethrownintheoperator’sor
bystander’sdirectionandresultinseriouspersonal
injuryordeathtotheoperatororbystanders.
Checkthegrassbagfrequently.Ifitisdamaged,
installanewTororeplacementbag.
WARNING
Thebladeissharp;contactingthebladecanresult
inseriouspersonalinjury.
Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingpartstostop
beforeleavingtheoperatingposition.
InstallingtheGrassBag
1.Removethemulchplug(Figure28).
Figure28
2.Routethestarterropearoundthelowerropeguide
(Figure29).
Figure29
Note:Thelowerropeguidereleasesthestarterrope
whenyoupulltherecoilstarthandle.
3.Insertthegrassbaghandleintothegroovesatthe
topofthemower(Figure30).
Important:Themowerhasasafetyswitchthat
preventsyoufromstartingthemowerunlessyou
rstinstallthegrassbagsecurelyonthemower.
Figure30
12

RemovingtheGrassBag
1.Routethestarterropearoundthelowerropeguide
(Figure31).
Figure31
2.Liftthegrassbaghandleoutfromthegroovesat
thetopofthemowerandremovethebagfromthe
mower(Figure32).
Figure32
3.Insertthemulchplug(Figure33).
Figure33
Side-dischargingtheClippings
Usethesidedischargeforcuttingverytallgrass.
Ifthebagisonthemower,removeitandinsertthe
mulchplug(refertoRemovingtheGrassBag)before
side-dischargingtheclippings.
Important:Themowerhasasafetyswitchthat
preventsyoufromstartingthemowerunlessyou
rstinstallthemulchplugsecurelyonthemower
(refertoMulchingtheClippings).
InstallingtheSideDischargeChute
1.Unlockthesidedischargedoor(Figure34).
Figure34
2.Liftopenthesidedischargedoor(Figure35).
Figure35
3.Installthesidedischargechuteandclosethedoor
ontothechute(Figure36).
Figure36
13

RemovingtheSideDischargeChute
Toremovethesidedischargechute,reversethesteps
above.
Important:Lockthesidedischargedoorafteryou
closeit(Figure37).
Figure37
OperatingTips
GeneralMowingTips
•Cleartheareaofsticks,stones,wire,branches,and
otherdebristhatthebladecouldhit.
•Avoidstrikingsolidobjectswiththeblade.Never
deliberatelymowoveranyobject.
•Ifthemowerstrikesanobjectorstartstovibrate,
immediatelystoptheengine,disconnectthewire
fromthesparkplug,andexaminethemowerfor
damage.
•Forbestperformance,installanewbladebeforethe
cuttingseasonbegins.
•ReplacethebladewhennecessarywithaToro
replacementblade.
CuttingGrass
•Cutonlyaboutathirdofthegrassbladeatatime.
Donotcutbelowthe2inch(51mm)settingunless
thegrassissparseoritislatefallwhengrassgrowth
beginstoslowdown.RefertoAdjustingtheCutting
Height.
•Whencuttinggrassover6inches(15cm)tall,mow
atthehighestcuttingheightsettingandwalkslower;
thenmowagainatalowersettingforthebestlawn
appearance.Ifthegrassistoolong,themowermay
plugandcausetheenginetostall.
•Mowonlydrygrassorleaves.Wetgrassandleaves
tendtoclumpontheyardandcancausethemower
toplugortheenginetostall.
WARNING
Wetgrassorleavescancauseseriousinjuryif
youslipandcontacttheblade.Mowonlyindry
conditions.
•Alternatethemowingdirection.Thishelpsdisperse
theclippingsoverthelawnforevenfertilization.
•Ifthenishedlawnappearanceisunsatisfactory,try
oneormoreofthefollowing:
–Ifthebladeisdullornicked,replaceitorhave
itsharpened.
–Walkataslowerpacewhilemowing.
–Raisethecuttingheightonyourmower.
–Cutthegrassmorefrequently.
–Overlapcuttingswathsinsteadofcuttingafull
swathwitheachpass.
–Setthecuttingheightonthefrontwheelsone
notchlowerthantherearwheels.Forexample,
setthefrontwheelsat2inches(51mm)andthe
rearwheelsat2-1/2inches(64mm).
CuttingLeaves
•Aftercuttingthelawn,ensurethathalfofthelawn
showsthroughthecutleafcover.Youmayneedto
makemorethanonepassovertheleaves.
•Iftherearemorethan5inches(13cm)ofleaves
onthelawn,setthefrontcuttingheightoneortwo
notcheshigherthantherearcuttingheight.
•Slowdownyourmowingspeedifthemowerdoes
notcuttheleavesnelyenough.
14

Maintenance
Note:Determinetheleftandrightsidesofthemachinefromthenormaloperatingposition.
RecommendedMaintenanceSchedule(s)
MaintenanceService
IntervalMaintenanceProcedure
Aftertherst5hours•Changetheengineoil.
Beforeeachuseordaily
•Checktheengineoillevel.
•Checkthebladebrakeclutchoperation.
•Ensurethattheenginestopswithin3secondsafterreleasingthebladecontrolbar.
•Checktheaircleanerfordirtand/ordamageandcleanorreplaceitifnecessary.
•Cleangrassclippingsanddirtfromunderthemower.
Every25hours•Cleanthebladebrakeclutchshield.
Beforestorage•Emptythefueltankbeforerepairsasdirectedandbeforeannualstorage.
Yearly
•Cleantheairlter(morefrequentlyindustyoperatingconditions).
•Changetheengineoil.
•Lubricatetheupperhandle.
•Replacethebladeorhaveitsharpened(morefrequentlyiftheedgedullsquickly).
•RefertoyourEngineOperator’sManualforanyadditionalyearlymaintenance
procedures.
Important:Refertoyour Engine Operator’ s Man ual foradditionalmaintenanceprocedures.
PreparingforMaintenance
1.Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingpartstostop.
2.Disconnectthesparkplugwirefromthesparkplug
(Figure38)beforeperforminganymaintenance
procedure.
Figure38
3.Afterperformingthemaintenanceprocedure(s),
connectthesparkplugwiretothesparkplug.
Important:Beforetippingthemowertochange
theoilorreplacetheblade,allowthefueltank
torundrythroughnormalusage.Ifyoumust
tipthemowerpriortorunningoutoffuel,usea
handfuelpumptoremovethefuel.Alwaystip
themowerontoitssidewiththeairlterup.
WARNING
Tippingthemowermaycausethefueltoleak.
Gasolineisammable,explosiveandcancause
personalinjury.
Runtheenginedryorremovethegasolinewith
ahandpump;neversiphon.
ServicingtheAirCleaner
ServiceInterval:Beforeeachuseordaily
Yearly
1.Pressdownonthelatchtabsontopoftheaircleaner
cover(Figure39).
Figure39
1.Latchtabs
2.Openthecover.
15

3.Removetheairlter(Figure40).
Figure40
4.Iftheairlterisdamagedoriswetwithoilorfuel,
replaceit.
5.Iftheairlterisdirty,tapitonahardsurfaceseveral
timesorblowcompressedairlessthan30psi(207
kPa)throughthesideofthelterthatfacesthe
engine.
Note:Donotbrushthedirtoffthelter;brushing
forcesdirtintothebers.
6.Removedirtfromtheaircleanerbodyandcover
usingamoistrag.Donotwipedirtintotheair
duct.
7.Installthelterintotheaircleaner.
8.Closethecover.
ChangingtheEngineOil
ServiceInterval:Aftertherst5hours
Yearly
Changetheengineoilaftertherst5operating
hours;changeityearlythereafter.
Runtheengineafewminutesbeforechangingtheoil
towarmit.Warmoilowsbetterandcarriesmore
contaminants.
1.Performthepre-maintenanceprocedures;referto
PreparingforMaintenance.
2.TurnthefuelvalvetotheOffpositiontoprevent
anyfuelleakage.
3.Removethedipstick(Figure41).
Figure41
4.Tipthemowerontoitsside,withtheairlterup,
todraintheusedoiloutthroughtheoillltube
(Figure42).
Figure42
5.Slowlypouroilintotheoillltube,periodically
checkingthelevelwiththedipstick,untilthedipstick
indicatesthattheengineisfullasillustratedin
Figure43.Donotoverll.(Max.ll:0.58quart
(0.55l),type:SAE30detergentoilwithanAPI
serviceclassicationofSH,SJ,SL,orhigher.)
Note:Eachtimeyouchecktheoillevel,removethe
dipstickandwipeitclean,insertitintotheoilller
neck(butdonotscrewitin),thenremoveitagain
andcheckthelevel(Figure43).
Note:Ifyouoverlltheengine,poursomeoilout
ofit.
16

Figure43
6.Installthedipsticksecurely.
7.Disposeoftheusedoilproperlyatalocalrecycling
center.
LubricatingtheUpperHandle
ServiceInterval:Yearly
Lubricatetheleftandrightsidesoftheupperhandle
withalow-viscositysiliconespraylubricantyearlyor
asneeded.
1.Spraytheouterplasticendoftheinnerhandle
(Figure44).
Figure44
Note:Usethestrawthatcomeswiththespraycan
todirectthespray.
2.Pushtheupperhandlefullydownandspraythe
innerplasticsurfaceoftheouterhandle(Figure45).
Figure45
AdjustingtheSelf-propelDrive
Ifyourmowerdoesnotself-propelproperly,adjustthe
self-propeldrivecable.
1.Loosenthenutonthecablemount(Figure46).
Figure46
1.Cablemount
2.Pulltheupperhandlebackfullyrearward.
Note:Ifthehandledoesnotmovesmoothly,refer
toLubricatingtheUpperHandle.
3.Pullthecablejacketdownwarduntilyouremovethe
slackintheexposedcable(Figure47).
17

Figure47
1.Exposedcable
4.Pushthecablejacketupward1/8inch(3mm).
Note:Youcanplacearuleragainsttheupperside
oftheblackcablemountandmeasurehowfarthe
upperendofthecablejacketmoves(Figure48).
Figure48
1.Cablemount2.Cablejacket
Note:Movingthecablejacketupwarddecreases
thegroundspeed;movingthejacketdownward
increasesthegroundspeed.
5.Tightenthenutrmly.
6.Startthemowerandchecktheadjustment.
Note:Iftheself-propeldriveisnotproperly
adjusted,repeatthisprocedure.
ReplacingtheBlade
ServiceInterval:Yearly
Important: Y ou will need a torque wr ench to install
the blade pr oper l y .Ifyoudonothaveatorque
wrenchorareuncomfortableperformingthis
procedure,contactanAuthorizedServiceDealer.
Examinethebladewheneveryourunoutofgasoline.If
thebladeisdamagedorcracked,replaceitimmediately.
Ifthebladeedgeisdullornicked,haveitsharpenedor
replaceit.
WARNING
Thebladeissharp;contactingthebladecanresult
inseriouspersonalinjury.
Weargloveswhenservicingtheblade.
1.Disconnectthesparkplugwirefromthesparkplug.
RefertoPreparingforMaintenance.
2.Tipthemowerontoitssidewiththeairlterup.
3.Removethe2bladenutsandthestiffener(Figure49).
Figure49
1.Bladenuts2.Stiffener
4.Removetheblade(Figure49).
5.Installthenewblade(Figure49).
Important:Positionthecurvedendsofthe
bladetopointtowardthemowerhousing.
6.Installthestiffeneryouremovedinstep3.
7.Installthebladenutsandtorquethemto15to
27ft-lb(20to37N-m).
CleaningtheBladeBrake
ClutchShield
ServiceInterval:Every25hours
Cleanthebladebrakeclutchshieldatleastevery25
operatinghoursoryearlytopreventthebladefrom
stallingwhileyoumow .
1.Disconnectthesparkplugwirefromthesparkplug.
RefertoPreparingforMaintenanceonpage18.
2.Tipthemowerontoitssidewiththeairlterup.
3.Removethe2bladenutsandthestiffener(Figure50).
18

Figure50
1.Bladenuts4.Bladedriver
2.Stiffener5.Disk
3.Blade6.Bladebrakeclutchshield
4.Removetheblade(Figure50).
5.Removethebladedriveranddisk(Figure50).
6.Removethebladebrakeclutchshield(Figure50).
7.Brushorblowoutdebrisfromtheinsideofthe
shieldandaroundalltheparts.
8.Installthebladebrakeclutchshield(Figure50).
9.Installthebladedriver(Figure50).
10.Installtheblade(Figure50).
Important:Positionthecurvedendsofthe
bladetopointtowardthemowerhousing.
11.Installthestiffener(Figure50).
12.Installthebladenutsandtorquethemto15to
27ft-lb(20to37N⋅ ⋅
⋅m).
CleaningtheMower
ServiceInterval:Beforeeachuseordaily
WARNING
Themowermaydislodgematerialfromunderthe
mowerhousing.
•Weareyeprotection.
•Stayintheoperatingposition(behindthe
handle).
•Donotallowbystandersinthearea.
1.Movethemowerontoaatpavedsurface.
2.Withtheenginerunningandthebladeengaged,
sprayastreamofwaterinfrontoftherightrear
wheel(Figure51).
Thewaterwillsplashintothepathoftheblade,
cleaningouttheclippings.
Figure51
3.Whennomoreclippingscomeout,stopthewater
andmovethemowertoadryarea.
4.Runtheenginewiththebladeengagedforafew
minutestodrythehousingtopreventitfromrusting.
19

Storage
Storethemowerinacool,clean,dryplace.
PreparingtheMowerfor
Storage
WARNING
Gasolinevaporscanexplode.
•Donotstoregasolinemorethan30days.
•Donotstorethemowerinanenclosurenearan
opename.
•Allowtheenginetocoolbeforestoringit.
1.Onthelastrefuelingoftheyear,addfuelstabilizer
tothefuelasdirectedbytheenginemanufacturer.
2.Runthemoweruntiltheenginestopsfromrunning
outoffuel.
3.Primetheengineandstartitagain.
4.Allowtheenginetorununtilitstops.Whenyoucan
nolongerstarttheengine,itissufcientlydry.
5.Disconnectthewirefromthesparkplugandconnect
thewireontotheretainingpost.
6.Removethesparkplug,add1oz.(30ml)ofoil
throughthesparkplughole,andpullthestarterrope
slowlyseveraltimestodistributeoilthroughoutthe
cylindertopreventcylindercorrosionduringthe
off-season.
7.Installthesparkplugandtightenitwithatorque
wrenchto15ft-lb(20N-m).
8.Tightenallnuts,bolts,andscrews.
FoldingtheHandle
UprightPosition
1.Steponthefootpedalandholditdown(Figure52).
Figure52
2.Movethehandletotheuprightposition(Figure53).
Figure53
ForwardPosition
1.Withthehandleintheuprightposition,steponthe
footpedalandholditdown.
2.Movethehandleallthewayforwardandloosenthe
upperhandleknob(Figure54).
Figure54
3.Tounfoldthehandle,refertoUnfoldingtheHandle.
RemovingtheMowerfrom
Storage
Connectthewiretothesparkplug.
20