Toro 20995 User manual

FormNo.3376-634RevA
53cmRecycler®LawnMower
ModelNo.20995—SerialNo.313000001andUp
ModelNo.20996—SerialNo.313000001andUp
Operator'sManual
Introduction
Thisrotary-blade,walk-behindlawnmowerisintended
tobeusedbyresidentialhomeowners.Itisdesigned
primarilyforcuttinggrassonwell-maintainedlawns
onresidentialproperties.Itisnotdesignedforcutting
brushorforagriculturaluses.
Readthisinformationcarefullytolearnhowtooperateand
maintainyourmachineproperlyandtoavoidinjuryand
equipmentdamage.Youareresponsibleforoperatingthe
machineproperlyandsafely.
YoumaycontactTorodirectlyatwww.Toro.comforproduct
andaccessoryinformation,helpndingadealer,ortoregister
yourproduct.
Wheneveryouneedservice,genuineToroparts,oradditional
information,contactanAuthorizedServiceDealerorToro
CustomerServiceandhavethemodelandserialnumbersof
yourmachineready.Figure1identiesthelocationofthe
modelandserialnumbersontheproduct.
Figure1
1.Modelandserialnumberlocation
Writetheproductmodelandserialnumbersinthefollowing
space:
ModelNo.
SerialNo.
Thismanualidentiespotentialhazardsandhassafety
messagesidentiedbythesafetyalertsymbol(Figure2),
whichsignalsahazardthatmaycauseseriousinjuryordeath
ifyoudonotfollowtherecommendedprecautions.
Figure2
1.Safetyalertsymbol
Thismanualuses2wordstohighlightinformation.
Importantcallsattentiontospecialmechanicalinformation
andNoteemphasizesgeneralinformationworthyofspecial
attention.
ThisproductcomplieswithallrelevantEuropeandirectives.
Fordetails,seetheseparateproduct-specicDeclarationof
Conformity(DOC)sheet.
Formodelswithstatedenginehorsepower,thegross
horsepoweroftheenginewaslaboratoryratedbytheengine
manufacturerinaccordancewithSAEJ1940.Ascongured
tomeetsafety,emission,andoperatingrequirements,the
actualenginehorsepoweronthisclassoflawnmowerwill
besignicantlylower.
Donottamperwiththeenginecontrolsoralterthegovernor
speed;doingsomaycreateanunsafeconditionresultingin
personalinjury.
Contents
Introduction..................................................................1
GeneralLawnMowerSafety.....................................2
SoundPressure......................................................3
SoundPower..........................................................3
Hand/ArmVibration..............................................3
SafetyandInstructionalDecals.................................4
Setup............................................................................5
1UnfoldingtheHandle............................................5
2InstallingtheRecoil-starterRopeintheRope
Guide.................................................................6
3FillingtheEnginewithOil......................................6
4InstalltheMulchPlugortheGrassBag....................7
ProductOverview..........................................................8
Specications.........................................................9
Operation.....................................................................9
FillingtheFuelTank................................................9
CheckingtheEngineOilLevel..................................9
AdjustingtheCuttingHeight....................................10
AdjustingtheUpperHandleHeight..........................10
StartingtheEngine.................................................11
UsingtheSelf-propelDrive......................................12
©2012—TheToro®Company
8111LyndaleAvenueSouth
Bloomington,MN55420
Registeratwww.T oro.com.OriginalInstructions(EN)
PrintedintheUSA
AllRightsReserved*3376-634*A

UsingtheSelf-propelDrive......................................12
StoppingtheEngine...............................................12
MulchingtheClippings...........................................12
BaggingtheClippings.............................................13
Side-dischargingtheClippings..................................14
OperatingTips......................................................15
Maintenance.................................................................16
RecommendedMaintenanceSchedule(s)......................16
PreparingforMaintenance.......................................16
ReplacingtheAirFilter............................................16
ChangingtheEngineOil.........................................17
LubricatingtheWheelGears....................................18
LubricatingtheUpperHandle..................................18
AdjustingtheSelf-propelDriveCable........................18
AdjustingtheSelf-propelDriveCable........................19
ReplacingtheBlade................................................19
CleaningtheUndersideoftheMachine
Housing............................................................20
Storage........................................................................21
PreparingtheMachineforStorage............................21
FoldingtheHandle.................................................21
FoldingtheHandle.................................................21
RemovingtheMachinefromStorage.........................22
TestingtheMachineSafetySystem............................22
Safety
Improperlyusingormaintainingthismowercanresult
ininjury.Toreducethepotentialforinjury,complywith
thesesafetyinstructions.
Torodesignedandtestedthismachineforreasonablysafe
service;however,failuretocomplywiththefollowing
instructionsmayresultinpersonalinjury.
Toensuremaximumsafety,bestperformance,and
togainknowledgeoftheproduct,itisessentialthat
youandanyotheroperatorofthemowerreadand
understandthecontentsofthismanualbeforethe
engineiseverstarted.Payparticularattentiontothe
safetyalertsymbol(Figure2),whichmeansCaution,
Warning,orDanger—“personalsafetyinstruction.”
Readandunderstandtheinstructionbecauseithasto
dowithsafety.Failuretocomplywiththeinstruction
mayresultinpersonalinjury.
GeneralLawnMowerSafety
ThefollowinginstructionshavebeenadaptedfromEN836.
Thiscuttingmachineiscapableofamputatinghandsandfeet
andofthrowingobjects.Failuretoobservethefollowing
safetyinstructionscouldresultinseriousinjuryordeath.
Training
•Readtheinstructionscarefully.Befamiliarwiththe
controlsandtheproperuseoftheequipment.
•Neverallowchildrenorpeopleunfamiliarwiththese
instructionstousethemower.Localregulationscan
restricttheageoftheoperator.
•Keepinmindthattheoperatororuserisresponsiblefor
accidentsorhazardsoccurringtootherpeopleortheir
property.
•Understandexplanationsforallpictogramsusedonthe
mowerorintheinstructions.
Gasoline
WARNING-Gasolineishighlyammable.Takethe
followingprecautions.
•Storefuelincontainersspecicallydesignedforthis
purpose.
•Refueloutdoorsonlyanddonotsmokewhilerefueling.
•Addfuelbeforestartingtheengine.Neverremovethe
capofthefueltankoraddgasolinewhiletheengineis
runningorwhentheengineishot.
•Ifgasolineisspilled,donotattempttostarttheengine
butmovethemowerawayfromtheareaofspillageand
avoidcreatinganysourceofignitionuntilgasolinevapors
havedissipated.
•Replaceallfueltankandcontainercapssecurely.
Preparation
•Whilemowing,alwayswearsubstantialfootwearandlong
trousers.Donotoperatetheequipmentwhenbarefoot
orwearingopensandals.
•Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentisto
beusedandremoveallstones,sticks,wires,bonesand
otherforeignobjects.
•Beforeusing,alwaysvisuallyinspecttoseethatguards,
andsafetydevices,suchasdeectorsand/orgrass
catchers,areinplaceandworkingcorrectly.
•Beforeusing,alwaysvisuallyinspecttoseethattheblades,
bladeboltsandcutterassemblyarenotwornordamaged.
Replacewornordamagedbladesandboltsinsetsto
preservebalance.
Starting
•Donottiltthemowerwhenstartingtheengineunlessthe
mowerhastobetiltedforstarting.Inthiscase,donot
tiltitmorethanabsolutelynecessaryandliftonlythepart
whichisawayfromtheoperator.
•Starttheenginecarefullyaccordingtoinstructionsand
withfeetwellawayfromtheblade(s)andnotinfrontof
thedischargechute.
Operation
•Nevermowwhilepeople,especiallychildren,orpetsare
nearby.
•Mowonlyindaylightoringoodarticiallight.
•Stayalertforholesintheterrainandotherhiddenhazards.
2

•Donotputhandsorfeetnearorunderrotatingparts.
Keepclearofthedischargeopeningatalltimes.
•Neverpickuporcarryalawnmowerwhiletheengineis
running.
•Useextremecautionwhenreversingorpullinga
pedestriancontrolledlawnmowertowardsyou.
•Walk,neverrun.
•Slopes:
–Donotmowexcessivelysteepslopes.
–Exerciseextremecautionwhenonslopes.
–Mowacrossthefaceofslopes,neverupanddown,
andexerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirection
onslopes.
–Alwaysbesureofyourfootingonslopes.
•Reducespeedonslopesandinsharpturnstoprevent
overturningorlossofcontrol.
•Stopthebladeifthelawnmowerhastobetiltedfor
transportationwhencrossingsurfacesotherthangrass
andwhentransportingthelawnmowertoandfromthe
areatobemowed.
•Donotoperatetheengineinaconnedspacewhere
dangerouscarbonmonoxidefumescancollect.
•Stoptheengine
–wheneveryouleavethelawnmower.
–beforerefueling.
–beforeremovingthegrasscatcher.
–beforemakingheightadjustmentunlessadjustment
canbemadefromtheoperator'sposition.
•Stoptheengineanddisconnectthespark-plugwire.
–beforeclearingblockagesoruncloggingchute.
–beforechecking,cleaningorworkingonthelawn
mower.
–afterstrikingaforeignobject,inspectthelawnmower
fordamageandmakerepairsbeforerestartingand
operatingthelawnmower.
–iflawnmowerstartstovibrateabnormally(check
immediately).
•Lightningcancausesevereinjuryordeath.Ifyousee
lightningorhearthunderinthearea,donotoperatethe
machine;seekshelter.
•Watchoutfortrafcwhencrossingornearroadways.
MaintenanceandStorage
•Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrewstighttobesurethe
equipmentisinsafeworkingcondition.
•Donotusepressure-cleaningequipmentonmachine.
•Neverstoretheequipmentwithgasolineinthetankand
insideabuildingwherefumescanreachanopename
orspark.
•Allowtheenginetocoolbeforestoringinanyenclosure.
•Toreducetherehazard,keeptheengine,silencer,
batterycompartmentandgasolinestorageareafreeof
grass,leaves,orexcessivegrease.
•Checkgrasscatchercomponentsandthedischargeguard
frequentlyandreplacewithmanufacturer'srecommended
parts,whennecessary.
•Replacewornordamagedpartsforsafety.
•Replacefaultysilencers.
•Ifthefueltankhastobedrained,dothisoutdoors.
•Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingsoroverspeed
theengine.Operatinganengineatexcessivespeedcan
increasethehazardofpersonalinjury.
•Becarefulduringadjustmentofthelawnmowerto
prevententrapmentofthengersbetweenmovingblades
andxedpartsofthelawnmower.
•Toensurethebestperformanceandsafety,
purchaseonlygenuineTororeplacementpartsand
accessories.Donotuse will t partsandaccessories;
theymaycauseasafetyhazard.
SoundPressure
Thisunithasasoundpressurelevelattheoperator’searof89
dBA,whichincludesanUncertaintyValue(K)of1dBA.
Thesoundpressurelevelwasdeterminedaccordingtothe
proceduresoutlinedinEN836.
SoundPower
Thisunithasaguaranteedsoundpowerlevelof98dBA,
whichincludesanUncertaintyValue(K)of1dBA.
Thesoundpowerlevelwasdeterminedaccordingtothe
proceduresoutlinedinISO11094.
Hand/ArmVibration
Measuredvibrationlevelforrighthand=5.1m/s
Measuredvibrationlevelforlefthand=4.8m/s
UncertaintyValue(K)=2.0m/s2
Measuredvaluesweredeterminedaccordingtotheprocedures
outlinedinEN836.
3

SafetyandInstructionalDecals
Important:Safetyandinstructiondecalsarelocatednearareasofpotentialdanger.Replacedamageddecals.
Manufacturer'sMark
1.Indicatesthebladeisidentiedasapartfromtheoriginal
machinemanufacturer.
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.
114-7982
1.Warning—readtheOperator'sManual.
2.Thrownobjecthazard—keepbystandersasafedistance
fromthemachine.
3.Cutting/dismembermenthazardofhandorfoot,mower
blade—disconnectthesparkplugwireandreadthe
instructionsbeforeservicingorperformingmaintenance.
4.Cutting/dismembermenthazardofhandorfoot,mower
blade—stayawayfrommovingparts.
5.Cutting/dismembermenthazardofhandorfoot,mower
blade—donotoperateupanddownslopes;operatesideto
sideonslopes;stoptheenginebeforeleavingtheoperating
position;andlookbehindyouwhenbackingup.
4

121–2370
1.Handleinraisedposition3.Footpedallocation
2.Handleinloweredposition
Setup
Important:Removeanddiscardtheprotectiveplastic
sheetthatcoverstheengine.
1
UnfoldingtheHandle
NoPartsRequired
Procedure
1.UnfoldthehandleasillustratedinFigure3and
Figure4.
G020407
Figure3
Model20995shown
5

Figure4
Model20995shown
2.Tightenallhandleknobs.
3.Movetheupperhandletothedesiredpositionand
tightentheupperhandleknobrmly(model20996
only)(Figure5).
Figure5
2
InstallingtheRecoil-starter
RopeintheRopeGuide
NoPartsRequired
Procedure
Important:Youmustinstalltherecoil-starterropein
theropeguide.
Holdtheblade-controlbartotheupperhandleandpullthe
recoil-starterropethroughtheropeguideonthehandle
(Figure6).
Figure6
1.Recoil-starterrope2.Ropeguide
3
FillingtheEnginewithOil
NoPartsRequired
Procedure
Important:Thismachinedoesnotcomewithoilinthe
engine.Beforestartingtheengine,lltheenginewith
oil.
Important:Changetheengineoilaftertherst5
operatinghours;changeityearlythereafter.Referto
ChangingtheEngineOil(page17).
1.Movethemachinetoalevelsurface.
2.Removethedipstick(Figure7)andpourabout3/4of
thecrankcasecapacityofoilintotheoil-lltube.
Note:Max.ll:0.59l(20oz.),type:SAE30detergent
oilwithanAPIserviceclassicationofSF,SG,SH,
SJ,SL,orhigher.
6

Figure7
3.Wipeoffthedipstickendwithacleancloth.
4.Insertthedipstickintotheoil-lltube,andscrewit
inuntilitstops.
5.Removethedipstickandreadtheoillevelonthe
dipstick;refertoFigure7.
•Iftheoillevelistoolow,addasmallamountof
oilslowlytotheoil-lltube,andthenrepeatsteps
3through5untiltheoilleveliscorrectasshown
inFigure7.
•Iftheoillevelistoohigh,draintheexcess
oiluntilyouobtainthecorrectoillevelon
thedipstick.Todraintheexcessoil,referto
ChangingtheEngineOil(page17).
Important:Iftheoillevelinthecrankcaseistoo
lowortoohighandyouruntheengine,youmay
damagetheengine.
6.Installthedipsticksecurelybyhand.
4
InstalltheMulchPlugorthe
GrassBag
NoPartsRequired
Procedure
Important:Youmustcorrectlyinstallthemulchplug
(formulchingorside-discharging)orthegrassbag(for
bagging);otherwise,theenginewillnotstart.
Themachinehasasafetyswitch,locatedatthebottomofthe
channelatthetop,rightrearofthemachine,thatprevents
themachinefromoperatingwithoutamulchplugoragrass
bag.Thispreventsthemachinefromthrowingdebrisatthe
operatorthroughtherearchute.
Fortheswitchtodetectthepresenceofthemulchplug,the
topofthemulchpluglevermustliefullyinthebottom
ofthechannel(Figure8).
Figure8
1.Topofmulchplugleverinchannelbottom
1.Insertthemulchplugintothemachineifitisn'talready
installed(Figure9).
Figure9
2.Squeezethebuttonontheleverwithyourthumb,and
fullyinsertthemulchplugintotheopening(Figure10).
7

Figure10
3.Releasethebuttonontheleverandensurethatthe
topoftheleverisliesfullyintheswitchchannel
(Figure11).Ifthetopoftheleverisnotinthe
switchchannel,yourmachinewillnotstart.
Figure11
Note:Iftheleverdoesnotlatchproperly,disconnect
thewirefromthesparkplugandcheckforandremove
anydebrisbuildupinthetunnel.
ProductOverview
Figure12
Model20995
1.Sparkplug5.Recoil-starthandle
2.Cutting-heightlever(4)6.Blade-controlbar
3.Airlter7.Self-propel-drivebar
4.Fuel-tankcap8.Oilll/Dipstick
8

G020408
Figure13
Model20996
1.Cutting-heightlever(4)6.Recoil-starthandle
2.Airlter7.Blade-controlbar
3.Fuel-tankcap8.Upper-handleknob
4.Oilll/Dipstick9.Sparkplug
5.Footpedal
Figure14
1.Grassbag3.Mulchplug(installed)
2.Side-dischargechute
Specications
ModelWeightLengthWidthHeight
2099535kg
(77lb)
145cm
(57in)
56cm
(22in)
99cm
(39in)
2099637kg
(82lb)
157cm
(62in)
56cm
(22in)
112cm
(44in)
Operation
FillingtheFuelTank
DANGER
Gasolineisextremelyammableandexplosive.A
reorexplosionfromgasolinecanburnyouand
others.
•Topreventastaticchargefromignitingthe
gasoline,placethecontainerand/ormachine
directlyonthegroundbeforelling,notina
vehicleoronanobject.
•Fillthetankoutdoorswhentheengineiscold.
Wipeupspills.
•Donothandlegasolinewhensmokingoraround
anopenameorsparks.
•Storegasolineinanapprovedfuelcontainer,out
ofthereachofchildren.
Note:Fillthefueltankwithfreshunleadedregulargasoline
fromamajorname-brandservicestation(Figure15).
Note:Useunleadedregulargasolinesuitableforautomotive
use(87pumpoctaneminimum).Leadedregulargasolinemay
beusedifunleadedregularisnotavailable.
Important:Neverusemethanol,gasolinecontaining
methanol,orgasoholcontainingmorethan10%ethanol
becausetheycoulddamagethefuelsystem.Donotmix
oilwithgasoline.
Important:Toreducestartingproblems,addfuel
stabilizertothefuelallseason,mixingitwithgasoline
lessthan30daysold.
Figure15
1.1cm(1/2in)
CheckingtheEngineOilLevel
ServiceInterval:Beforeeachuseordaily
Max.ll:0.59l(20oz.),type:SAE30detergentoilwithan
APIserviceclassicationofSF,SG,SH,SJ,SL,orhigher.
9

1.Movethemachinetoalevelsurface.
2.Removethedipstick(Figure16).
Figure16
3.Wipeoffthedipstickendwithacleancloth.
4.Insertthedipstickintotheoil-lltubeandscrewitin
untilitstops.
5.Removethedipstickandreadtheoillevel;referto
Figure16.
•IftheoillevelisbelowtheAddmarkonthe
dipstick,slowlyaddasmallamountofoiltothe
oil-lltube,andthenrepeatsteps3through5until
theoillevelisattheFullmarkonthedipstick.
•IftheoillevelisabovetheFullmarkonthe
dipstick,draintheexcessoiluntiltheoillevelisat
theFullmarkonthedipstick.Todraintheexcess
oil,refertoChangingtheEngineOil(page17).
Important:Iftheoillevelinthecrankcaseis
toolowortoohighandyouruntheengine,
youmaydamagetheengine.
6.Installthedipsticksecurelybyhand.
AdjustingtheCuttingHeight
WARNING
Adjustingthecuttingheightmaybringyouinto
contactwiththemovingblade,causingserious
injury.
•Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingparts
tostop.
•Donotputyourngersunderthehousingwhen
adjustingthecuttingheight.
CAUTION
Iftheenginehasbeenrunning,themuferwillbe
hotandcanseverelyburnyou.Keepawayfromthe
hotmufer.
Adjustthecuttingheightasdesired.Setallfourwheelsto
thesameheight.
Note:Toraisethemachine,moveall4cuttingheightlevers
forward;tolowerthemachine,movethemallrearward
(Figure17).
Figure17
Note:Thecuttingheightsettingsare25mm(1in);38mm
(1-1/2in);51mm(2in);64mm(2-1/2in);76mm(3in);89
mm(3-1/2in);102mm(4in);and114mm(4-1/2in).
AdjustingtheUpperHandle
Height
Model20996only
Youmayraiseorlowertheupperhandletoaposition
comfortableforyou.
Note:Youcannotraisetheupperhandlehigherthanthe
angleofthelowerhandle.
1.Loosentheupper-handleknob(Figure18).
Figure18
10

2.Movetheupperhandletothedesiredposition
(Figure19).
Figure19
3.Tightentheupper-handleknobrmly(Figure19).
Figure20
StartingtheEngine
Important:Themachinehasasafetysystemthat
preventsyoufromstartingthemachineunlessyourst
installthemulchplugorthegrassbagsecurelyonthe
machine.
1.Installthemulchplug(Figure21)orthegrassbag
(Figure22)onthemachine.
Figure21
Figure22
2.Holdtheblade-controlbaragainstthehandleandpull
therecoilstarter(Figure23orFigure24).
Figure23
1.Blade-controlbar
11

Figure24
1.Blade-controlbar
Note:Ifthemachinestilldoesnotstart,contactan
AuthorizedServiceDealer.
3.Testthemachinesafetysystem;refertoTestingthe
MachineSafetySysteminStorage.
UsingtheSelf-propelDrive
Model20995only
Tooperatetheself-propeldrive,squeezetheself-propeldrive
bar(Figure25)towardthehandleandholdit.
Figure25
1.Self-propel-drivebar
Todisengagetheself-propeldrive,releasetheself-propel-drive
bar.
Note:Themaximumself-propelgroundspeedisxed.To
reducethegroundspeed,increasethespacebetweenthe
self-propel-drivebarandthehandle.
UsingtheSelf-propelDrive
Model20996only
Tooperatetheself-propeldrive,simplywalkwithyourhands
ontheupperhandleandyourelbowsatyoursides,andthe
machinewillautomaticallykeeppacewithyou(Figure26and
Figure27).
Figure26
Figure27
Note:Ifthemachinedoesnotfreelyrollbackwardafter
self-propelling,stopwalking,holdyourhandsinplace,and
allowthemachinetorollacoupleofinches(centimeters)
forwardtodisengagethewheeldrive.Youcanalsotry
reachingjustunderthepersonalpacehandletothemetal
handleandpushthemachineforwardacoupleofinches
(centimeters).Ifthemachinestilldoesnotrollbackward
easily,contactanAuthorizedServiceDealer.
StoppingtheEngine
ServiceInterval:Beforeeachuseordaily—Ensurethat
theenginestopswithin3secondsafter
releasingtheblade-controlbar.
Tostoptheengine,releasetheblade-controlbar.
Important:Whenyoureleasetheblade-controlbar,
boththeengineandbladeshouldstopwithin3seconds.
Iftheydonotstopproperly,stopusingyourmachine
immediatelyandcontactanAuthorizedServiceDealer.
MulchingtheClippings
Yourmachinecomesfromthefactoryreadytomulchthe
grassandleafclippingsbackintothelawn.
Ifthegrassbagisonthemachine,removeit;referto
RemovingtheGrassBag(page14)beforemulchingthe
clippings.Iftheside-dischargechuteisonthemachine,
removeitandlocktheside-dischargedoor;referto
12

RemovingtheSide-dischargeChute(page15)before
mulchingtheclippings.
Important:Themachinehasasafetyswitchthat
preventsyoufromstartingthemachineunlessyou
rstinstallthemulchplugsecurelyonthemachine
(Figure28).
Figure28
1.Topofmulchplugleverinchannelbottom
BaggingtheClippings
Usethegrassbagwhenyouwanttocollectgrassandleaf
clippingsfromthelawn.
Iftheside-dischargechuteisonthemachine,
removeitandlocktheside-dischargedoor;referto
RemovingtheSide-dischargeChute(page15)beforebagging
theclippings.
WARNING
Thebladeissharp;contactingthebladecanresult
inseriouspersonalinjury.
Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingpartstostop
beforeleavingtheoperatingposition.
InstallingtheGrassBag
1.Removethemulchplug(Figure29).
Figure29
2.Routethestarterropearoundthelower-ropeguide
(Figure30).
Figure30
Note:Thelower-ropeguidereleasesthestarterrope
whenyoupulltherecoil-starthandle.
3.Insertthegrass-baghandleintothegroovesatthetop
ofthemachine(Figure31).
Important:Themachinehasasafetyswitchthat
preventsyoufromstartingthemachineunlessyou
rstinstallthegrassbagsecurelyonthemachine.
Figure31
13

RemovingtheGrassBag
1.Routethestarterropearoundthelower-ropeguide
(Figure32).
Figure32
2.Liftthegrass-baghandleoutfromthegroovesatthe
topofthemachineandremovethebagfromthe
machine(Figure33).
Figure33
3.Insertthemulchplug(Figure34).
Figure34
Side-dischargingtheClippings
Usethesidedischargeforcuttingverytallgrass.
Ifthebagisonthemachine,removeitandinsertthemulch
plug;refertoRemovingtheGrassBag(page14)before
side-dischargingtheclippings.
Important:Themachinehasasafetyswitchthat
preventsyoufromstartingthemachineunlessyourst
installthemulchplugsecurelyonthemachine;referto
MulchingtheClippings(page12).
InstallingtheSide-dischargeChute
1.Unlocktheside-dischargedoor(Figure35).
Figure35
2.Liftopentheside-dischargedoor(Figure36).
Figure36
3.Installtheside-dischargechuteandclosethedooronto
thechute(Figure37).
Figure37
14

RemovingtheSide-dischargeChute
Toremovethesidedischargechute,reversethestepsabove.
Important:Locktheside-dischargedoorafteryouclose
it(Figure38).
Figure38
OperatingTips
GeneralMowingTips
•Cleartheareaofsticks,stones,wire,branches,andother
debristhatthebladecouldhit.
•Avoidstrikingsolidobjectswiththeblade.Never
deliberatelymowoveranyobject.
•Ifthemachinestrikesanobjectorstartstovibrate,
immediatelystoptheengine,disconnectthewirefrom
thesparkplug,andexaminethemachinefordamage.
•Forbestperformance,installanewbladebeforethe
cuttingseasonbegins.
•ReplacethebladewhennecessarywithaToro
replacementblade.
CuttingGrass
•Cutonlyaboutathirdofthegrassbladeatatime.Do
notcutbelowthe51mm(2in)settingunlessthegrassis
sparseoritislatefallwhengrassgrowthbeginstoslow
down.RefertoAdjustingtheCuttingHeight(page10).
•Whencuttinggrassover15cm(6in)tall,mowatthe
highestcutting-heightsettingandwalkslower;thenmow
againatalowersettingforthebestlawnappearance.If
thegrassistoolong,themachinemayplugandcause
theenginetostall.
•Mowonlydrygrassorleaves.Wetgrassandleavestend
toclumpontheyardandcancausethemachinetoplug
ortheenginetostall.
WARNING
Wetgrassorleavescancauseseriousinjuryif
youslipandcontacttheblade.Mowonlyindry
conditions.
•Alternatethemowingdirection.Thishelpsdispersethe
clippingsoverthelawnforevenfertilization.
•Ifthenishedlawnappearanceisunsatisfactory,tryone
ormoreofthefollowing:
–Replacethebladeorhaveitsharpened.
–Walkataslowerpacewhilemowing.
–Raisethecuttingheightonyourmachine.
–Cutthegrassmorefrequently.
–Overlapcuttingswathsinsteadofcuttingafullswath
witheachpass.
–Setthecuttingheightonthefrontwheels1notch
lowerthantherearwheels.Forexample,setthefront
wheelsat51mm(2in)andtherearwheelsat64mm
(2-1/2in).
CuttingLeaves
•Aftercuttingthelawn,ensurethathalfofthelawnshows
throughthecutleafcover.Youmayneedtomakemore
thanasinglepassovertheleaves.
•Iftherearemorethan13cm(5in)ofleavesonthelawn,
setthefrontcuttingheight1or2notcheshigherthan
therearcuttingheight.
•Slowdownyourmowingspeedifthemachinedoesnot
cuttheleavesnelyenough.
15

Maintenance
Note:Determinetheleftandrightsidesofthemachinefromthenormaloperatingposition.
RecommendedMaintenanceSchedule(s)
MaintenanceService
IntervalMaintenanceProcedure
Aftertherst5hours•Changetheengineoil.
Beforeeachuseordaily
•Checktheengineoillevel.
•Ensurethattheenginestopswithin3secondsafterreleasingtheblade-controlbar.
•Cleantheundersideofthemachinehousing.
Every25hours•Replacetheairlteryearly;replaceitmorefrequentlyindustyoperatingconditions.
Every50hours•Changetheengineoil;changeitmorefrequentlyindustyoperatingconditions.
Yearly•Lubricatethewheelgears.
•Lubricatetheupperhandle.
Yearlyorbeforestorage•Changetheengineoil;changeitmorefrequentlyindustyoperatingconditions.
•Replacetheblade.
Important:RefertoyourEngineOperator'sManualforadditionalmaintenanceprocedures.
PreparingforMaintenance
1.Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingpartstostop.
2.Disconnectthespark-plugwirefromthesparkplug
(Figure39)beforeperforminganymaintenance
procedure.
Figure39
3.Afterperformingthemaintenanceprocedure(s),
connectthespark-plugwiretothesparkplug.
Important:Beforetippingthemachinetochange
theoilorreplacetheblade,allowthefueltankto
rundrythroughnormalusage.Ifyoumusttip
themachinepriortorunningoutoffuel,usea
handfuelpumptoremovethefuel.Alwaystipthe
machineontoitssidewiththeairlterup.
WARNING
Tippingthemachinemaycausethefuelto
leak.Gasolineisammable,explosiveand
cancausepersonalinjury.
Runtheenginedryorremovethegasoline
withahandpump;neversiphon.
ReplacingtheAirFilter
ServiceInterval:Every25hours
1.Useascrewdrivertoopentheair-ltercover
(Figure40).
Figure40
2.Replacetheairlter(Figure41).
16

Figure41
ChangingtheEngineOil
ServiceInterval:Aftertherst5hours
Every50hours
Yearlyorbeforestorage
Note:Max.ll:0.59l(20oz),type:SAE30detergentoil
withanAPIserviceclassicationofSF,SG,SH,SJ,SL,or
higher.
1.Movethemachinetoalevelsurface.
2.Ensurethatthefueltankcontainslittleornofuelso
thatfueldoesnotleakoutwhenyoutipthemachine
ontoitsside.
3.Runtheengineafewminutesbeforechangingtheoil
towarmit.
Note:Warmoilowsbetterandcarriesmore
contaminants.
4.Disconnectthewirefromthesparkplug;referto
PreparingforMaintenance(page16).
5.Setanoil-drainpanbesidethemachineonthesideof
thedipstick.
6.Removethedipstickfromtheoil-lltube(Figure42).
Figure42
7.Tipthemachineontoitsside,withtheoil-lltube
down,todraintheusedoiloutthroughtheoil-lltube
intotheoil-drainpan(Figure43).
G019342
Figure43
8.Afterdrainingtheusedoil,returnthemachinetothe
operatingposition.
9.Pourabout3/4ofthecrankcasecapacityofoilinto
theoil-lltube.
Note:Max.ll:0.59l(20oz),type:SAE30detergent
oilwithanAPIserviceclassicationofSF,SG,SH,
SJ,SL,orhigher.
10.Wipeoffthedipstickendwithacleancloth.
11.Insertthedipstickintotheoil-lltubeandscrewitin
untilitstops.
12.Removethedipstickandreadtheoillevel;referto
Figure44.
Figure44
•IftheoillevelisbelowtheAddmarkonthe
dipstick,slowlyaddasmallamountofoiltothe
17

oil-lltube,andthenrepeatsteps10through12
untiltheoillevelisattheFullmarkonthedipstick.
•IftheoillevelisabovetheFullmarkonthe
dipstick,draintheexcessoiluntiltheoillevelisat
theFullmarkonthedipstick.
Important:Iftheoillevelinthecrankcaseis
toolowortoohighandyouruntheengine,
youmaydamagetheengine.
13.Installthedipsticksecurelybyhand.
14.Recycletheusedoilatalocalrecyclingcenter.
LubricatingtheWheelGears
ServiceInterval:Yearly
1.Removethewheelboltinthecenterofeachrearwheel
andremovetherearwheels.
2.Applyalubricatingoiltotheinnerandoutersidesof
thegearasshowninFigure45.
Figure45
3.Installtherearwheels.
LubricatingtheUpperHandle
ServiceInterval:Yearly
Model20996only
Lubricatetheleftandrightsidesoftheupperhandlewitha
low-viscositysiliconespraylubricantyearlyorasneeded.
1.Spraytheouterplasticendoftheinnerhandle
(Figure46).
Figure46
Note:Usethestrawthatcomeswiththespraycanto
directthespray.
2.Pushtheupperhandlefullydownandspraytheinner
plasticsurfaceoftheouterhandle(Figure47).
Figure47
AdjustingtheSelf-propelDrive
Cable
Model20995only
Wheneveryouinstallanewself-propelcableorifthe
self-propeldriveisoutofadjustment,adjusttheself-propel
drivecable.
1.Loosenthecablesupportnut(Figure48).
Figure48
1.1to1-1/2inches(25to38
mm)
4.Cable-supportnut
2.Self-propel-drivebar5.Cablesupport
3.Cablejacket
2.Holdtheself-propelbail1to1-1/2inches(25to38
mm)fromthehandle(Figure48).
3.Pulldownthecablejacket(towardthemachine)until
thereisnoslackinthecable(Figure48).
4.Tightenthenutonthecablesupport.
5.Releasetheself-propel-drivebarandensurethatthe
cableisloose.
18

Note:Thecablemustbeloosewiththe
self-propel-drivebarinthereleasedposition;otherwise,
themachinemaycreepwhenthebarisdisengaged.
AdjustingtheSelf-propelDrive
Cable
Model20996only
1.Loosenthenutonthecablemount(Figure49).
G009696
1
Figure49
1.Cablemount
2.Pulltheupperhandlebackfullyrearward.
Note:Ifthehandledoesnotmovesmoothly,referto
LubricatingtheUpperHandle(page18).
3.Pullthecablejacketdownwarduntilyouremovethe
slackintheexposedcable(Figure50).
Figure50
1.Exposedcable
4.Pushthecablejacketupward1/8inch(3mm).
Note:Youcanplacearuleragainsttheuppersideof
theblackcablemountandmeasurehowfartheupper
endofthecablejacketmoves(Figure51).
Figure51
1.Cablemount2.Cablejacket
Note:Movingthecablejacketupwarddecreasesthe
groundspeed;movingthejacketdownwardincreases
thegroundspeed.
5.Tightenthenutrmly.
6.Startthemachineandchecktheadjustment.
Note:Iftheself-propeldriveisnotproperlyadjusted,
repeatthisprocedure.
ReplacingtheBlade
ServiceInterval:Yearlyorbeforestorage
Important: Y ou will need a torque wr ench to install the
blade pr oper l y . Ifyoudonothaveatorquewrenchorare
uncomfortableperformingthisprocedure,contactan
AuthorizedServiceDealer.
Examinethebladewheneveryourunoutofgasoline.Ifthe
bladeisdamagedorcracked,replaceitimmediately.Ifthe
bladeedgeisdullornicked,haveitsharpenedorreplaceit.
WARNING
Thebladeissharp;contactingthebladecanresult
inseriouspersonalinjury.
Weargloveswhenservicingtheblade.
1.Disconnectthespark-plugwirefromthesparkplug;
refertoPreparingforMaintenance(page16).
2.Tipthemachineontothesidewiththedipstickdown.
3.Useablockofwoodtoholdthebladesteady
(Figure52).
19

Figure52
4.Removetheblade,savingallmountinghardware
(Figure52).
5.Installthenewbladeandallmountinghardware
(Figure53).
Figure53
Important:Positionthecurvedendsoftheblade
topointtowardthemachinehousing.
6.Useatorquewrenchtotightenthebladeboltto82
N-m(60ft-lb).
Important:Abolttorquedto82N-m(60ft-lb)is
verytight.Whileholdingthebladewithablock
ofwood,putyourweightbehindtheratchetor
wrenchandtightentheboltsecurely.Thisboltis
verydifculttoovertighten.
CleaningtheUndersideofthe
MachineHousing
ServiceInterval:Beforeeachuseordaily
WARNING
Themachinemaydislodgematerialfromunderthe
machinehousing.
•Weareyeprotection.
•Stayintheoperatingposition(behindthe
handle).
•Donotallowbystandersinthearea.
1.Withtheenginerunningonaatpavedsurface,spray
astreamofwaterinfrontoftherightrearwheel
(Figure54).
Note:Thewaterwillsplashintothepathoftheblade,
cleaningouttheclippings.
Figure54
2.Whennomoreclippingscomeout,stopthewaterand
movethemachinetoadryarea.
3.Runtheengineforafewminutestodrythehousing
topreventitfromrusting.
20