Toro 20995 User manual

FormNo.3361-568RevB
53cmRecycler®LawnMower
ModelNo.20995—SerialNo.290000001andUp
ModelNo.20996—SerialNo.290000001andUp
Operator'sManual
Introduction
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.
Formodelswithstatedenginehorsepower,thegross
horsepoweroftheenginewaslaboratoryratedbythe
enginemanufacturerinaccordancewithSAEJ1940.
Asconguredtomeetsafety,emission,andoperating
requirements,theactualenginehorsepoweronthisclass
oflawnmowerwillbesignicantlylower.
Donottamperwiththeenginecontrolsoralterthe
governorspeed;doingsomaycreateanunsafecondition
resultinginpersonalinjury.
Safety
Improperlyusingormaintainingthismowercan
resultininjury.Toreducethepotentialforinjury,
complywiththesesafetyinstructions.
Torodesignedandtestedthismowerforreasonablysafe
service;however,failuretocomplywiththefollowing
instructionsmayresultinpersonalinjury.
Toensuremaximumsafety,bestperformance,and
togainknowledgeoftheproduct,itisessential
thatyouandanyotheroperatorofthemowerread
andunderstandthecontentsofthismanualbefore
theengineiseverstarted.Payparticularattention
tothesafetyalertsymbol(Figure2)whichmeans
Caution,Warning,orDanger—“personalsafety
instruction.”Readandunderstandtheinstruction
becauseithastodowithsafety.Failuretocomply
withtheinstructionmayresultinpersonalinjury.
©2008—TheToro®Company
8111LyndaleAvenueSouth
Bloomington,MN55420
Registeratwww.Toro.com.OriginalInstructions(EN)
PrintedintheUSA
AllRightsReserved

GeneralLawnMowerSafety
ThefollowinginstructionshavebeenadaptedfromEN
836.
Thiscuttingmachineiscapableofamputatinghands
andfeetandthrowingobjects.Failuretoobservethe
followingsafetyinstructionscouldresultinserious
injuryordeath.
Training
•Readtheinstructionscarefully.Befamiliarwiththe
controlsandtheproperuseoftheequipment.
•Neverallowchildrenorpeopleunfamiliarwiththese
instructionstousethemower.Localregulationscan
restricttheageoftheoperator.
•Keepinmindthattheoperatororuserisresponsible
foraccidentsorhazardsoccurringtootherpeopleor
theirproperty.
•Understandexplanationsforallpictogramsusedon
themowerorintheinstructions.
Gasoline
WARNING-Gasolineishighlyammable.Takethe
followingprecautions.
•Storefuelincontainersspecicallydesignedforthis
purpose.
•Refueloutdoorsonlyanddonotsmokewhile
refueling.
•Addfuelbeforestartingtheengine.Neverremove
thecapofthefueltankoradgasolinewhilethe
engineisrunningorwhentheengineishot.
•Ifgasolineisspilled,donotattempttostartthe
enginebutmovethemowerawayfromtheareaof
spillageandavoidcreatinganysourceofignition
untilgasolinevaporshavedissipated.
•Replaceallfueltankandcontainercapssecurely.
Preparation
•Whilemowing,alwayswearsubstantialfootwearand
longtrousers.Donotoperatetheequipmentwhen
barefootorwearingopensandals.
•Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentis
tobeusedandremoveallstones,sticks,wires,bones
andotherforeignobjects.
•Beforeusing,alwaysvisuallyinspecttoseethat
guards,andsafetydevices,suchasdeectorsand/or
grasscatchers,areinplaceandworkingcorrectly.
•Beforeusing,alwaysvisuallyinspecttoseethatthe
blades,bladeboltsandcutterassemblyarenotworn
ordamaged.Replacewornordamagedbladesand
boltsinsetstopreservebalance.
Starting
•Disengageallbladeanddriveclutchesandshiftinto
neutralbeforestartingtheengine.
•Donottiltmowerwhenstartingtheengineor
switchingonthemotor,unlessthemowerhastobe
tiltedforstarting.Inthiscase,donottiltitmorethan
absolutelynecessaryandliftonlythepart,whichis
awayfromtheoperator.
•Starttheengineorswitchonthemotorcarefully
accordingtoinstructionsandwithfeetwellaway
fromtheblade(s)andnotinfrontofthedischarge
chute.
Operation
•Nevermowwhilepeople,especiallychildren,orpets
arenearby.
•Mowonlyindaylightoringoodarticiallight.
•Stayalertforholesintheterrainandotherhidden
hazards.
•Donotputhandsorfeetnearorunderrotatingparts.
Keepclearofthedischargeopeningatalltimes.
•Neverpickuporcarryalawnmowerwhilethe
engineisrunning.
•Useextremecautionwhenreversingorpullinga
pedestriancontrolledlawnmowertowardsyou.
•Walk,neverrun.
•Slopes:
–Donotmowexcessivelysteepslopes.
–Exerciseextremecautionwhenonslopes.
–Mowacrossthefaceofslopes,neverupand
downandexerciseextremecautionwhen
changingdirectiononslopes.
–Alwaysbesureofyourfootingonslopes.
•Uselowthrottlesettingswhenengagingthe
traction-clutch,especiallyinhighgears.Reduce
speedonslopesandinsharpturnstoprevent
overturningorlossofcontrol.
•Stopthebladeifthelawnmowerhastobetiltedfor
transportationwhencrossingsurfacesotherthan
grassandwhentransportingthelawnmowertoand
fromtheareatobemowed.
•Donotoperatetheengineinaconnedspacewhere
dangerouscarbonmonoxidefumescancollect.
•Stoptheengine
2

–wheneveryouleavethelawnmower.
–beforerefueling.
–beforeremovingthegrasscatcher.
–beforemakingheightadjustmentunless
adjustmentcanbemadefromtheoperator’s
position.
•Stoptheengineanddisconnectthespark-plugwire.
–beforeclearingblockagesoruncloggingchute.
–beforechecking,cleaningorworkingonthelawn
mower.
–afterstrikingaforeignobject,inspectthelawn
mowerfordamageandmakerepairsbefore
restartingandoperatingthelawnmower.
–iflawnmowerstartstovibrateabnormally(check
immediately).
•Watchoutfortrafcwhencrossingornearroadways.
MaintenanceandStorage
•Keepallnuts,boltsandscrewstighttobesurethe
equipmentisinsafeworkingcondition.
•Donotusepressurecleaningequipmentonmachine.
•Neverstoretheequipmentwithgasolineinthetank
andinsideabuildingwherefumescanreachanopen
ameorspark.
•Allowtheenginetocoolbeforestoringinany
enclosure.
•Toreducetherehazard,keeptheengine,silencer,
batterycompartmentandgasolinestorageareafree
ofgrass,leaves,orexcessivegrease.
•Checkgrasscatchercomponentsandthedischarge
guardfrequentlyandreplacewithmanufacturer’s
recommendedparts,whennecessary.
•Replacewornordamagedpartsforsafety.
•Replacefaultysilencers.
•Ifthefueltankhastobedrained,dothisout-doors.
•Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingsor
overspeedtheengine.Operatinganengineat
excessivespeedcanincreasethehazardofpersonal
injury.
•Onmultibladedlawnmowers,takecareasrotating
oneblademaycauseotherstorotate.
•Becarefulduringadjustmentofthelawnmowerto
prevententrapmentofthengersbetweenmoving
bladesandxedpartsofthelawnmower.
•Toensurethebestperformanceandsafety,
purchaseonlygenuineTororeplacementparts
andaccessories.Donotuse
will t
partsand
accessories;theymaycauseasafetyhazard.
SoundPressure
Thisunithasamaximumsoundpressurelevelatthe
operator’searof88dBA,basedonmeasurementsof
identicalmachinesperEN836andISO11201.
SoundPower
Thisunithasaguaranteedsoundpowerlevelof98dBA,
basedonmeasurementsofidenticalmachinesperISO
11094.
Vibration
Thisunitdoesnotexceedahand/armvibrationlevelof
5.13m/s2,basedonmeasurementsofidenticalmachines
perEN836andEN1033.
SafetyandInstructional
Decals
Important:Safetyandinstructiondecalsare
locatednearareasofpotentialdanger.Replace
damageddecals.
107-1946
1.HandleUpright3.Releasefootswitchtofold
handle
2.Handlefolded
3

108-7450
1.Heightofcut
108-7451
1.Heightofcut
110-9457
1.EngineswitchOff3.Unlocked
2.EngineswitchOn4.Locked
112-8760
1.Thrownobjecthazard—keepbystandersasafedistance
fromthemachine.
2.Cutting/dismembermentofhandorfoot—stayawayfrom
movingparts.
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.
117-5918
1.Fast3.Slow
2.Continuousvariable
setting
4

Setup
Important:Removeanddiscardtheprotective
plasticsheetthatcoverstheengine.
1.UnfoldingtheHandle
Procedure
1.UnfoldthehandleasillustratedinFigure3and
Figure4.
Figure3
Model20995shown
Figure4
Model20995shown
2.Tightenallhandleknobs.
3.Movetheupperhandletothedesiredpositionand
tightentheupperhandleknobrmly(model20996
only)(Figure5).
Figure5
2.FillingtheEnginewithOil
Procedure
Important:Yourmowerdoesnotcomewithoil
intheengine.
1.Removethedipstick(Figure6).
Figure6
2.Slowlypouroilintotheoillltubeuntiltheoil
levelreachestheFulllineonthedipstick(Figure6).
Donotoverll.(Max.ll:20oz.,type:SAE30
detergentoilwithanAPIserviceclassicationofSF,
SG,SH,SJ,SL,orhigher.)
Note:Ifyouoverlltheengine,poursomeoilout
ofitasdirectedinChangingtheEngineOil.
3.Installthedipsticksecurely.
Important:
Change the engine oil after the r st
5 operating hour s
;changeityearlythereafter.
RefertoChangingtheEngineOil.
5

3.InstalltheMulchPlugor
GrassBag
Procedure
Youmustcorrectlyinstallthemulchplug(formulching
orside-discharging)orgrassbag(forbagging)orthe
enginewillnotstart.
Themowerhasasafetyswitch,locatedatthebottom
ofachannelonthetop,rightrearofthemower,that
preventsthemowerfromoperatingwithoutamulch
plugorgrassbag.Thispreventsthemowerfrom
throwingdebrisattheoperatorthroughtherearchute.
Fortheswitchtodetectthepresenceofthemulchplug,
thetopofthemulchpluglevermustliefullyinthe
bottomofthechannel(Figure7).
Figure7
1.Topofmulchplugleverinswitchchannel
1.Insertthemulchplugintothemower,ifitisn’t
alreadyinstalled(Figure8).
Figure8
2.Squeezethebuttonontheleverwithyourthumb
andfullyinsertthemulchplugintotheopening
(Figure9).
Figure9
3.Releasethebuttonontheleverandensurethatthe
topoftheleverisliesfullyintheswitchchannel
(Figure10).Ifthetopoftheleverisnotinthe
switchchannel,yourmowerwillnotstart!
Figure10
Note:Iftheleverdoesnotlatchproperly,
disconnectthewirefromthesparkplugandcheck
forandremoveanydebrisbuildupinthetunnel.
6

ProductOverview
Figure11
Model20995
1.Sparkplug5.Recoilstarthandle
2.Cuttingheightlever6.Bladecontrolbar
3.Airlter7.Self-propeldrivebar
4.Fueltankcap8.Oilll/Dipstick
Figure12
Model20996
1.Cuttingheightlever(4)5.Recoilstarthandle
2.Airlter6.Bladecontrolbar
3.Fueltankcap7.Upperhandleknob
4.Oilll/Dipstick8.Sparkplug
Figure13
1.Grassbag3.Mulchplug(installed)
2.Sidedischargechute
7

Operation
FillingtheFuelTank
Gasolineisextremelyammableandexplosive.
Areorexplosionfromgasolinecanburnyou
andothers.
•Topreventastaticchargefromignitingthe
gasoline,placethecontainerand/ormower
directlyonthegroundbeforelling,notina
vehicleoronanobject.
•Fillthetankoutdoorswhentheengineis
cold.Wipeupspills.
•Donothandlegasolinewhensmokingor
aroundanopenameorsparks.
•Storegasolineinanapprovedfuelcontainer,
outofthereachofchildren.
Fillthefueltankwithfreshunleadedregulargasoline
fromamajorname-brandservicestation(Figure14).
Important:Toreducestartingproblems,add
fuelstabilizertothefuelallseason,mixingitwith
gasolinelessthan30daysold.
Figure14
1.1/2inch(1cm)
CheckingtheEngineOilLevel
ServiceInterval:Beforeeachuseordaily
1.Removethedipstick,wipeitclean,andfullyinstall
thedipstick(Figure15).
Figure15
2.Removethedipstickandchecktheoillevel
(Figure15).IftheoillevelisbelowtheAddmarkon
thedipstick,slowlypouroilintotheoillltubeto
raisetheoilleveltotheFullmarkonthedipstick.
Donotoverll.(Max.ll:20oz.,type:SAE30
detergentoilwithanAPIserviceclassicationofSF,
SG,SH,SJ,SL,orhigher.)
3.Installthedipsticksecurely.
AdjustingtheCuttingHeight
Adjustingthecuttingheightmaybringyouinto
contactwiththemovingblade,causingserious
injury.
•Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingparts
tostop.
•Donotputyourngersunderthehousing
whenadjustingthecuttingheight.
Iftheenginehasbeenrunning,themuferwill
behotandcanseverelyburnyou.Keepaway
fromthehotmufer.
8

Adjustthecuttingheightasdesired.Setallfourwheels
tothesameheight.
Note:Toraisethemower,moveall4cuttingheight
leversforward;tolowerthemower,movethemall
rearward(Figure16).
Figure16
Note:Thecuttingheightsettingsare1inch(25mm);
1-1/2inches(38mm);2inches(51mm);2-1/2inches
(64mm);3inches(76mm);3-1/2inches(89mm);4
inches(102mm);and4-1/2inches(114mm).
AdjustingtheUpperHandle
Height
Model20996only
Youmayraiseorlowertheupperhandletoaposition
comfortableforyou.
Note:Youcannotraisetheupperhandlehigherthan
theangleofthelowerhandle.
1.Loosentheupperhandleknob(Figure17).
Figure17
2.Movetheupperhandletothedesiredposition
(Figure18).
Figure18
3.Tightentheupperhandleknobrmly(Figure19).
Figure19
9

StartingtheEngine
Important:Themowerhasasafetyswitchthat
preventsyoufromstartingthemowerunlessyou
rstinstallthemulchplugorthegrassbagsecurely
onthemower.
1.Installthemulchplug(Figure20)orthegrassbag
(Figure21)onthemower.
Figure20
Figure21
2.Holdthebladecontrolbaragainstthehandleand
pulltherecoilstarter(Figure22orFigure23).
Figure22
Model20995only
1.Bladecontrolbar
Figure23
Model20996only
1.Bladecontrolbar
Note:Ifthemowerstilldoesnotstart,contactan
AuthorizedServiceDealer.
10

UsingtheSelf-propelDrive
Model20995only
Tooperatetheself-propeldrive,squeezetheself-propel
drivebar(Figure24)towardthehandleandholdit.
Figure24
1.Self-propeldrivebar
Todisengagetheself-propeldrive,releasetheself-propel
drivebar.
Note:Themaximumself-propelgroundspeedisxed.
Toreducethegroundspeed,increasethespacebetween
theself-propeldrivebarandthehandle.
UsingtheSelf-propelDrive
Model20996only
Tooperatetheself-propeldrive,simplywalkwithyour
handsontheupperhandleandyourelbowsatyour
sides,andthemowerwillautomaticallykeeppacewith
you(Figure25andFigure26).
Figure25
Figure26
Note:Ifthemowerdoesnotfreelyrollbackward
afterself-propelling,stopwalking,holdyourhandsin
place,andallowthemowertorollacoupleofinches
(centimeters)forwardtodisengagethewheeldrive.You
canalsotryreachingjustunderthepersonalpacehandle
tothemetalhandleandpushthemowerforwarda
coupleofinches(centimeters).Ifthemowerstilldoes
notrollbackwardeasily,contactanAuthorizedService
Dealer.
StoppingtheEngine
ServiceInterval:Beforeeachuseordaily—Ensurethat
theenginestopswithin3seconds
afterreleasingthebladecontrolbar.
Tostoptheengine,releasethebladecontrolbar
(Figure27).
Important:Whenyoureleasethebladecontrol
bar,boththeengineandbladeshouldstopwithin
3seconds.Iftheydonotstopproperly,stopusing
yourmowerimmediatelyandcontactanAuthorized
ServiceDealer.
Figure27
Model20996shown
11

MulchingtheClippings
Yourmowercomesfromthefactoryreadytomulchthe
grassandleafclippingsbackintothelawn.
Ifthegrassbagisonthemower,removeit(referto
RemovingtheGrassBag)beforemulchingtheclippings.
Ifthesidedischargechuteisonthemower,removeit
andlockthesidedischargedoor(refertoRemovingthe
SideDischargeChute)beforemulchingtheclippings.
Important:Themowerhasasafetyswitchthat
preventsyoufromstartingthemowerunlessyou
rstinstallthemulchplugsecurelyonthemower
(Figure28).
Figure28
1.Topofmulchplugleverinswitchchannel
BaggingtheClippings
Usethegrassbagwhenyouwanttocollectgrassand
leafclippingsfromthelawn.
Ifthesidedischargechuteisonthemower,removeit
andlockthesidedischargedoor(refertoRemovingthe
SideDischargeChute)beforebaggingtheclippings.
Thebladeissharp;contactingthebladecan
resultinseriouspersonalinjury.
Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingpartsto
stopbeforeleavingtheoperatingposition.
InstallingtheGrassBag
1.Removethemulchplug(Figure29).
Figure29
2.Routethestarterropearoundthelowerropeguide
(Figure30).
Figure30
12

Note:Thelowerropeguidereleasesthestarterrope
whenyoupulltherecoilstarthandle.
3.Insertthegrassbaghandleintothegroovesatthe
topofthemower(Figure31).
Important:Themowerhasasafetyswitchthat
preventsyoufromstartingthemowerunlessyou
rstinstallthegrassbagsecurelyonthemower.
Figure31
RemovingtheGrassBag
1.Routethestarterropearoundthelowerropeguide
(Figure32).
Figure32
2.Liftthegrassbaghandleoutfromthegroovesat
thetopofthemowerandremovethebagfromthe
mower(Figure33).
Figure33
3.Insertthemulchplug(Figure34.
Figure34
Side-dischargingtheClippings
Usethesidedischargeforcuttingverytallgrass.
Ifthebagisonthemower,removeitandinsertthe
mulchplug(refertoRemovingtheGrassBag)before
side-dischargingtheclippings.
Important:Themowerhasasafetyswitchthat
preventsyoufromstartingthemowerunlessyou
rstinstallthemulchplugsecurelyonthemower
(refertoMulchingtheClippings).
13

InstallingtheSideDischargeChute
1.Unlockthesidedischargedoor(Figure35).
Figure35
2.Liftopenthesidedischargedoor(Figure36).
Figure36
3.Installthesidedischargechuteandclosethedoor
ontothechute(Figure37).
Figure37
RemovingtheSideDischargeChute
Toremovethesidedischargechute,reversethesteps
above.
Important:Lockthesidedischargedoorafteryou
closeit(Figure38).
Figure38
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.
Wetgrassorleavescancauseseriousinjuryif
youslipandcontacttheblade.Mowonlyindry
conditions.
•Alternatethemowingdirection.Thishelpsdisperse
theclippingsoverthelawnforevenfertilization.
•Ifthenishedlawnappearanceisunsatisfactory,try
oneormoreofthefollowing:
14

–Replacethebladeorhaveitsharpened.
–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.
Maintenance
Note:Determinetheleftandrightsidesofthemachinefromthenormaloperatingposition.
RecommendedMaintenanceSchedule(s)
MaintenanceService
IntervalMaintenanceProcedure
Aftertherst5hours•Changetheengineoil.
Beforeeachuseordaily
•Checktheengineoillevel.
•Ensurethattheenginestopswithin3secondsafterreleasingthebladecontrolbar.
•Cleangrassclippingsanddirtfromunderthemower.
Every25hours•Replacetheairlter;replaceitmorefrequentlyindustyoperatingconditions.
Beforestorage•Emptythefueltankbeforerepairsasdirectedandbeforeannualstorage.
Yearly
•Changetheengineoil.
•Lubricatethewheelgears.
•Lubricatetheupperhandle.
•Replacethebladeorhaveitsharpened(morefrequentlyiftheedgedullsquickly).
•RefertoyourEngineOperator’sManualforanyadditionalyearlymaintenance
procedures.
Important:Refertoyour Engine Operator’ s Man ual foradditionalmaintenanceprocedures.
PreparingforMaintenance
1.Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingpartstostop.
2.Disconnectthesparkplugwirefromthesparkplug
(Figure39)beforeperforminganymaintenance
procedure.
Figure39
3.Afterperformingthemaintenanceprocedure(s),
connectthesparkplugwiretothesparkplug.
15

Important:Beforetippingthemowertochange
theoilorreplacetheblade,allowthefueltank
torundrythroughnormalusage.Ifyoumust
tipthemowerpriortorunningoutoffuel,usea
handfuelpumptoremovethefuel.Alwaystip
themowerontoitssidewiththeairlterup.
Tippingthemowermaycausethefueltoleak.
Gasolineisammable,explosiveandcancause
personalinjury.
Runtheenginedryorremovethegasolinewith
ahandpump;neversiphon.
ReplacingtheAirFilter
ServiceInterval:Every25hours
Replacetheairlteryearly;replaceitmorefrequently
industyoperatingconditions.RefertoPreparingfor
Maintenance.
1.Useascrewdrivertoopentheairltercover
(Figure40).
Figure40
2.Replacetheairlter(Figure41).
Figure41
3.Installthecover.
ChangingtheEngineOil
ServiceInterval:Aftertherst5hours
Yearly
Runtheengineafewminutesbeforechangingtheoil
towarmit.Warmoilowsbetterandcarriesmore
contaminants.
1.Performthepre-maintenanceprocedures;referto
PreparingforMaintenance.
2.Removethedipstick(Figure42).
Figure42
3.Tipthemowerontoitsside,withtheairlterup,
todraintheusedoiloutthroughtheoillltube
(Figure43).
Figure43
4.Slowlypouroilintotheoillltubeuntiltheoillevel
reachestheFulllineonthedipstick(Figure44).
Donotoverll.(Max.ll:20oz.,type:SAE30
detergentoilwithanAPIserviceclassicationofSF,
SG,SH,SJ,SL,orhigher.)
16

Figure44
5.Installthedipsticksecurely.
6.Disposeoftheusedoilproperlyatalocalrecycling
center.
LubricatingtheWheelGears
ServiceInterval:Yearly
1.Removethewheelboltinthecenterofeachrear
wheelandremovetherearwheels.
2.Applyalubricatingoiltotheinnerandoutersides
ofthegearasshowninFigure45.
Figure45
3.Installtherearwheels.
LubricatingtheUpperHandle
ServiceInterval:Yearly
Model20996only
Lubricatetheleftandrightsidesoftheupperhandle
withalow-viscositysiliconespraylubricantyearlyor
asneeded.
1.Spraytheouterplasticendoftheinnerhandle
(Figure46).
Figure46
Note:Usethestrawthatcomeswiththespraycan
todirectthespray.
2.Pushtheupperhandlefullydownandspraythe
innerplasticsurfaceoftheouterhandle(Figure47).
Figure47
17

AdjustingtheSelf-propelDrive
Cable
Model20995only
Wheneveryouinstallanewself-propelcableorif
theself-propeldriveisoutofadjustment,adjustthe
self-propeldrivecable.
1.Loosenthecablesupportnut(Figure48).
Figure48
1.1to1-1/2inches(25to38
mm)4.Cablesupportnut
2.Self-propeldrivebar5.Cablesupport
3.Cablejacket
2.Holdtheself-propelbail1to1-1/2inches(25to38
mm)fromthehandle(Figure48).
3.Pulldownthecablejacket(towardthemower)until
thereisnoslackinthecable(Figure48).
4.Tightenthenutonthecablesupport.
5.Releasetheself-propeldrivebarandensurethatthe
cableisloose.
Note:Thecablemustbeloosewiththeself-propel
drivebarinthereleasedposition;otherwise,the
mowermaycreepwhenthebarisdisengaged.
AdjustingtheSelf-propelDrive
Model20996only
Ifyourmowerdoesnotself-propelproperly,adjustthe
self-propeldrivecable.
1.Loosenthenutonthecablemount(Figure49).
G009696
1
Figure49
1.Cablemount
2.Pulltheupperhandlebackfullyrearward.
Note:Ifthehandledoesnotmovesmoothly,refer
toLubricatingtheUpperHandle.
3.Pullthecablejacketdownwarduntilyouremovethe
slackintheexposedcable(Figure50).
Figure50
1.Exposedcable
4.Pushthecablejacketupward1/8inch(3mm).
Note:Youcanplacearuleragainsttheupperside
oftheblackcablemountandmeasurehowfarthe
upperendofthecablejacketmoves(Figure51).
18

Figure51
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.
Thebladeissharp;contactingthebladecan
resultinseriouspersonalinjury.
Weargloveswhenservicingtheblade.
1.Disconnectthesparkplugwirefromthesparkplug.
RefertoPreparingforMaintenance.
2.Tipthemowerontoitsside,withtheairlterup.
3.Useablockofwoodtoholdthebladesteady
(Figure52).
Figure52
4.Removetheblade,savingallmountinghardware
(Figure52).
5.Installthenewbladeandallmountinghardware
(Figure52).
Important:Positionthecurvedendsofthe
bladetopointtowardthemowerhousing.
6.Useatorquewrenchtotightenthebladeboltto
60ft-lb(82N⋅ ⋅
⋅m).
Important:Abolttorquedto60ft-lb(82N⋅ ⋅
⋅m)
isverytight.Whileholdingthebladewitha
blockofwood,putyourweightbehindthe
ratchetorwrenchandtightentheboltsecurely.
Thisboltisverydifculttoovertighten.
19

CleaningtheMower
ServiceInterval:Beforeeachuseordaily
Themowermaydislodgematerialfromunder
themowerhousing.
•Weareyeprotection.
•Stayintheoperatingposition(behindthe
handle).
•Donotallowbystandersinthearea.
1.Withtheenginerunningonaatpavedsurface,
sprayastreamofwaterinfrontoftherightrear
wheel(Figure53).
Note:Thewaterwillsplashintothepathofthe
blade,cleaningouttheclippings.
Figure53
2.Whennomoreclippingscomeout,stopthewater
andmovethemowertoadryarea.
3.Runtheengineforafewminutestodrythehousing
topreventitfromrusting.
Storage
Storethemowerinacool,clean,dryplace.
PreparingtheMowerfor
Storage
Gasolinevaporscanexplode.
•Donotstoregasolinemorethan30days.
•Donotstorethemowerinanenclosurenear
anopen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.Looselyinstallthesparkplug.
8.Tightenallnuts,bolts,andscrews.
9.Chargethebatteryfor24hours,thenunplugthe
batterychargerandstorethemowerinanunheated
area.Ifyoumuststorethemowerinaheatedarea,
youmustchargethebatteryevery90days.
FoldingtheHandle
Foldingorunfoldingthehandleimproperlycan
damagethecables,causinganunsafeoperating
condition.
•Donotdamagethecableswhenfoldingor
unfoldingthehandle.
•Ifacableisdamaged,contactanAuthorized
ServiceDealer.
20