Toro Super Recycler 20381 User manual

FormNo.3371-292RevA
SuperRecycler®LawnMower
ModelNo.20381—SerialNo.312000001andUp
ModelNo.20384—SerialNo.312000001andUp
Operator'sManual
Introduction
Readthisinformationcarefullytolearnhowtooperate
andmaintainyourproductproperlyandtoavoidinjury
andproductdamage.Youareresponsibleforoperating
theproductproperlyandsafely.
YoumaycontactTorodirectlyatwww.Toro.comfor
productandaccessoryinformation,helpndingadealer,
ortoregisteryourproduct.
Wheneveryouneedservice,genuineToroparts,
oradditionalinformation,contactanAuthorized
ServiceDealerorToroCustomerServiceandhave
themodelandserialnumbersofyourproductready.
Figure1identiesthelocationofthemodelandserial
numbersontheproduct.
G017486
Figure1
1.Modelandserialnumberplate
Writetheproductmodelandserialnumbersinthespace
below:
ModelNo.
SerialNo.
Thismanualidentiespotentialhazardsandhassafety
messagesidentiedbythesafetyalertsymbol(Figure2),
whichsignalsahazardthatmaycauseseriousinjury
ordeathifyoudonotfollowtherecommended
precautions.
Figure2
1.Safetyalertsymbol
Thismanualuses2wordstohighlightinformation.
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.
Formodelswithstatedenginehorsepower,thegross
horsepoweroftheenginewaslaboratoryratedbythe
enginemanufacturerinaccordancewithSAEJ1940.
Asconguredtomeetsafety,emission,andoperating
requirements,theactualenginehorsepoweronthisclass
oflawnmowerwillbesignicantlylower.
©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.
Thiscuttingmachinecanamputatehandsandfeet
andthrowobjects.Failuretoobservethefollowing
safetyinstructionscouldresultinseriousinjuryor
death.
GeneralOperation
•Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionsonthe
machineandinthemanual(s)beforestarting.
•Donotputhandsorfeetnearorunderthemachine.
Keepclearofthedischargeopeningatalltimes.
•Onlyallowresponsibleadults,whoarefamiliarwith
theinstructions,tooperatethismachine.
•Cleartheareaofobjectssuchasrocks,wire,toys,
etc.,whichcouldbethrownbytheblade.Staybehind
thehandlewhentheengineisrunning.
•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.
•Keepchildrenoutofthemowingareaandunderthe
watchfulcareofaresponsibleadultotherthanthe
operator.
•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.Disconnectthesparkplugwireand
groundagainstenginetopreventunintendedstarting.
•Checkgrasscatchercomponentsandthedischarge
guardfrequentlyandreplacewithmanufacturer's
recommendedparts,whennecessary.
•Mowerbladesaresharp.Wrapthebladeorwear
gloves,anduseextracautionwhenservicingthem.
•Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingor
overspeedtheengine.
•Maintainorreplacesafetyandinstructionlabels,as
necessary.
3

SafetyandInstructionalDecals
Important:Safetyandinstructiondecalsarelocatednearareasofpotentialdanger.Replacedamaged
decals.
Manufacturer'sMark
1.Indicatesthebladeisidentiedasapartfromtheoriginal
machinemanufacturer.
94-8072
112-8867
1.Lock2.Unlock
104-7403
Electric-startmodelonly
4

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.
104-7953
Electric-startmodelonly
1.Warning—readtheOperator'sManualforinformationonchargingthebattery;containslead;donotdiscard.
2.ReadtheOperator'sManual.
115-2896
Electric-startmodelonly
115-8411
1.Unlocked2.Locked
5

Setup
Important:Removeanddiscardtheprotective
plasticsheetthatcoverstheengine.
1
AssemblingandUnfoldingthe
Handle
NoPartsRequired
Procedure
WARNING
Assemblingandunfoldingthehandleimproperly
candamagethecables,causinganunsafeoperating
condition.
•Donotdamagethecableswhenassemblingand
unfoldingthehandle.
•Ensurethatthecablesareroutedtotheoutside
ofthehandle.
•Ifacableisdamaged,contactanAuthorized
ServiceDealer.
1.Raisetherearofthemowerhousingtoitshighest
cuttingheightsettingbymovingthe2rearcutting
heightleversallthewayforward.RefertoAdjusting
theCuttingHeightintheOperationsection.
2.Attachthehandleendstothemowerhousingwith
2washersand2handlebolts(Figure3),butdonot
tightenthehandlebolts.
G017457
Figure3
1.Washer3.Handleend
2.Handlebolt
Important:Routethecablestothe outside of
thehandle(Figure3).
3.Rotatethehandlerearward(Figure4).
G017458
Figure4
4.Lockthehandleatyourdesiredheight.Referto
AdjustingtheHandleHeightintheOperation
section.
5.Torquethehandleboltsto120to160in-lb(14to
17N-m).
6.Adjustthecuttingheight.RefertoAdjustingthe
CuttingHeight.
6

2
InstallingtheStarterRope
NoPartsRequired
Procedure
Pullthestarterropethroughtheropeguideonthe
handle(Figure5).
Figure5
1.Starterrope2.Ropeguide
Note:Tomaketheropeeasiertoinstall,squeezethe
controlbaronthehandle.
3
FillingtheEnginewithOil
NoPartsRequired
Procedure
Important:Yourmowerdoesnotcomewithoil
intheengine.Beforestartingtheengine,llthe
enginewithoil.
Max.ll:20oz.(0.59l),type:SAE30orSAE10W-30
detergentoilwithanAPIserviceclassicationofSF,
SG,SH,SJ,SL,orhigher.
1.Movethemowertoalevelsurface.
2.Removethedipstick(Figure6).
G017459
Figure6
1.Theoillevelisatits
maximum.
3.Theoillevelistoo
low—addoiltothe
crankcase.
2.Theoillevelistoo
high—removeoilfrom
thecrankcase.
3.Slowlypouroilintotheoilllhole,waitafew
minutes,andchecktheoillevelonthedipstickby
wipingthedipstickcleanandtheninserting,butnot
screwingin,theoilllcapintothehole(Figure6).
Note:Filltheenginecrankcasewithoiluntilthe
dipstickindicatesthattheengineoilleveliscorrect
asshowninFigure6.Ifyouoverlltheenginewith
oil,removetheexcessoilasdirectedinChanging
theEngineOil.
4.Installthedipstickandhandtightenitsecurely.
Important: Change the engine oil after the r st
5 operating hour s ;changeityearlythereafter.
RefertoChangingtheEngineOil.
4
ChargingtheBattery
NoPartsRequired
Procedure
Electric-startmodelonly
RefertoChargingtheBatteryintheMaintenance
section.
7

ProductOverview
G017460
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11
12
13
Figure7
1.Cuttingheightlever(4)8.Upperhandle
2.Sparkplug9.Electricstarter
(electric-startmodelonly)
3.Oilll/Dipstick(notshown)10.Grassbag
4.Fueltankcap11.Battery(electric-start
modelonly)
5.Dischargedeector12.Washoutport
6.Recoilstarthandle13.Airlter
7.Bladecontrolbar
Figure8
1.Grassbag3.Batterycharger
(electric-startmodelonly)
2.Sidedischargechute4.Reardischargeplug
(installed)
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(Figure9).
Useunleadedregulargasolinesuitableforautomotive
use(87pumpoctaneminimum).Leadedregulargasoline
maybeusedifunleadedregularisnotavailable.
Note:Neverusemethanol,gasolinecontaining
methanol,orgasolinecontainingmorethan10%ethanol
becausethefuelsystemcouldbedamaged.Donotmix
oilwithgasoline.
Important:Toreducestartingproblems,add
fuelstabilizertothefuelallseason,mixingitwith
gasolinelessthan30daysold.
½ inch (1 cm)
G017461
Figure9
8

CheckingtheEngineOilLevel
ServiceInterval:Beforeeachuseordaily
1.Movethemowertoalevelsurface.
2.Removethedipstickandwipeitwithacleancloth.
3.Insert,butdonotscrewin,thedipstickintothe
oilllhole.
4.Removethedipstickandcheckit.
5.Todeterminetheproperoillevelonthedipstick,
refertoFigure10).
G017459
Figure10
1.Theoillevelisatits
maximum.
3.Theoillevelistoo
low—addoiltothe
crankcase.
2.Theoillevelistoo
high—removeoilfrom
thecrankcase.
6.Iftheoillevelislow,slowlypouroilintotheoilll
hole,waitafewminutes,andchecktheoillevelon
thedipstickbywipingthedipstickcleanandthen
inserting,butnotscrewingin,theoilllcapinto
thehole.
Note:Max.ll:20oz.(0.59l),type:SAE30
orSAE10W-30detergentoilwithanAPIservice
classicationofSF,SG,SH,SJ,SL,orhigher.
Note:Filltheenginecrankcasewithoiluntilthe
dipstickindicatesthattheengineoilleveliscorrect
asshowninFigure10.Ifyouoverlltheenginewith
oil,removetheexcessoilasdirectedinChanging
theEngineOil.
7.Installthedipstickandhandtightenitsecurely.
Important:
Change the engine oil after the r st
5 operating hour s ;changeityearlythereafter.
RefertoChangingtheEngineOil.
AdjustingtheCuttingHeight
WARNING
Adjustingthecuttingheightmaybringyouinto
contactwiththemovingblade,causingserious
injury.
•Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingparts
tostop.
•Donotputyourngersunderthehousingwhen
adjustingthecuttingheight.
CAUTION
Iftheenginehasbeenrunning,themuferwillbe
hotandcanseverelyburnyou.Keepawayfromthe
hotmufer.
Adjustthecuttingheightasdesired.Setallfourwheels
tothesameheight.
Note:Toraisethemower,moveall4cuttingheight
leversforward;tolowerthemower,movethemall
rearward(Figure11).
G017462
Figure11
9

AdjustingtheHandleHeight
Youmayraiseorlowerthehandletoaposition
comfortableforyou.
Rotatethehandlelock,movethehandletooneofthree
positions,andlockthehandleintoposition(Figure12).
Figure12
1.Handlelock2.Handlepositions
StartingtheEngine
1.Pullthebladecontrolbartothehandle(Figure13).
Figure13
2.Turntheignitionkey(electric-startmodelonly)
(Figure14)orpulltherecoilstarthandle(Figure15).
Figure14
Figure15
Note:Ifthemowerdoesnotstart,contactan
AuthorizedServiceDealer.
UsingtheSelf-propelDrive
Tooperatetheself-propeldrive,simplywalkwithyour
handsontheupperhandleandyourelbowsatyour
sides,andthemowerwillautomaticallykeeppacewith
you(Figure16).
Figure16
10

StoppingtheEngine
Releasethebladecontrolbar(Figure17).
Important:Whenyoureleasethebladecontrol
bar,thebladeshouldstopwithin3seconds.If
itdoesnotstopproperly,stopusingyourmower
immediatelyandcontactanAuthorizedService
Dealer.
Figure17
RecyclingtheClippings
Yourmowercomesfromthefactoryreadytorecyclethe
grassandleafclippingsbackintothelawn.
Ifthegrassbagisonthemower,removeit(referto
RemovingtheGrassBag)beforerecyclingtheclippings.
Ifthesidedischargechuteisonthemower,removeit
andlockthesidedischargedoor(refertoRemovingthe
SideDischargeChute)beforerecyclingtheclippings.
Important:Ensurethatthereardischargeplug
islockedinplace.Tolocktheplug:Raisethe
dischargedeector(Figure18),rmlypushthe
pluginuntilitsnapsintoplacebehindthetabs,and
rotatetheleverontheplugtotheleft(Figure19).
G017463
Figure18
1.Dischargedeector2.Reardischargeplug
Figure19
1.Lever2.Tabs
Note:Tounlocktheplug,rotatetheleverontheplug
totheright(Figure19).
11

BaggingtheClippings
Usethegrassbagwhenyouwanttocollectgrassand
leafclippingsfromthelawn.
Note:Ensurethebagisseatedinthecorrectposition.
WARNING
Aworngrassbagcouldallowdebristobethrown
andresultinseriouspersonalinjuryordeathtothe
operatororbystanders.
Checkthegrassbagfrequently.Ifitisdamaged,
installanewTororeplacementbag.
Ifthesidedischargechuteisonthemower,removeit
andlockthesidedischargedoor(refertoRemovingthe
SideDischargeChute)beforebaggingtheclippings.
WARNING
Thebladeissharp;contactingthebladecanresult
inseriouspersonalinjury.
Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingpartstostop
beforeleavingtheoperatingposition.
InstallingtheGrassBag
1.Routethestarterropearoundthelowerropeguide
(Figure20).
G017473
Figure20
1.Lowerropeguide
Note:Thelowerropeguidereleasesthestarterrope
whenyoupulltherecoilstarthandle.
2.Raiseandholdupthedischargedeector(Figure21).
G017464
Figure21
1.Dischargedeector2.Reardischargeplug
3.Pulloutthereardischargeplug(Figure21).
4.Hangtheupperfrontedgeofthebagonthenotches
(Figure22).
G017474
Figure22
1.Dischargedeector2.Grassbag
Note:Ensurethatthegrassbagissecurelyinstalled
ontothemachine.
5.Lowerthedischargedeector.
12

RemovingtheGrassBag
1.Routethestarterropearoundthelowerropeguide
(Figure23).
G017473
Figure23
1.Lowerropeguide
Note:Thelowerropeguidereleasesthestarterrope
whenyoupulltherecoilstarthandle.
2.Raiseandholdupthedischargedeector.
3.Liftthegrassbagupbythehandleoffthenotches.
4.Installthereardischargeplug(Figure24).
G017463
Figure24
1.Dischargedeector2.Reardischargeplug
Important:Ensurethatthereardischargeplug
islockedinplace.Tolocktheplug,rmlypush
thepluginuntilitsnapsintoplacebehindthe
tabs,androtatetheleverontheplugtotheleft
(Figure25).
Figure25
1.Lever2.Tabs
Note:Tounlocktheplug,rotatetheleveronthe
plugtotheright(Figure25).
5.Lowerthedischargedeector.
13

Side-dischargingtheClippings
Usethesidedischargeforcuttingverytallgrass.
Ifthebagisonthemower,removeitandinserttherear
dischargeplug(refertoRemovingtheGrassBag)before
side-dischargingtheclippings.
Important:Ensurethatthereardischargeplug
islockedinplace.Tolocktheplug:Raisethe
dischargedeector(Figure26),rmlypushthe
pluginuntilitsnapsintoplacebehindthetabs,and
rotatetheleverontheplugtotheleft(Figure27).
G017463
Figure26
1.Dischargedeector2.Reardischargeplug
Figure27
1.Lever2.Tabs
Note:Tounlocktheplug,rotatetheleverontheplug
totheright(Figure19).
WARNING
Thebladeissharp;contactingthebladecanresult
inseriouspersonalinjury.
Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingpartstostop
beforeleavingtheoperatingposition.
14

InstallingtheSideDischargeChute
1.Unlockthesidedischargedoor(Figure28).
Figure28
2.Liftopenthesidedischargedoor(Figure29).
Figure29
3.Installthesidedischargechuteandclosethedoor
ontothechute(Figure30).
Figure30
RemovingtheSideDischargeChute
Toremovethesidedischargechute,reversethesteps
above.
Important:Lockthesidedischargedoorafteryou
closeit(Figure31).
Figure31
OperatingTips
GeneralMowingTips
•Cleartheareaofsticks,stones,wire,branches,and
otherdebristhatthebladecouldhit.
•Avoidstrikingsolidobjectswiththeblade.Never
deliberatelymowoveranyobject.
•Ifthemowerstrikesanobjectorstartstovibrate,
immediatelystoptheengine,disconnectthewire
fromthesparkplug,andexaminethemowerfor
damage.
•Forbestperformance,installanewbladebeforethe
cuttingseasonbegins.
•ReplacethebladewhennecessarywithaToro
replacementblade.
CuttingGrass
•Cutonlyaboutathirdofthegrassbladeatatime.
Donotcutbelowthe2-inch(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:
–Replacethebladeorhaveitsharpened.
–Walkataslowerpacewhilemowing.
–Raisethecuttingheightonyourmower.
–Cutthegrassmorefrequently.
–Overlapcuttingswathsinsteadofcuttingafull
swathwitheachpass.
–Setthecuttingheightonthefrontwheelsone
notchlowerthantherearwheels.Forexample,
setthefrontwheelsat2-1/4inches(60mm)and
therearwheelsat2-3/4inches(70mm).
15

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
•Chargethebattery.
•Lubricatetherearwheelgears.
•Replacethebladeorhaveitsharpened(morefrequentlyiftheedgedullsquickly).
Beforestorage•Chargethebattery.
•Emptythefueltankbeforerepairsasdirectedandbeforeannualstorage.
Yearly•Replacetheairlter;replaceitmorefrequentlyindustyoperatingconditions.
•Changetheengineoil.
16

PreparingforMaintenance
1.Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingpartstostop.
2.Disconnectthesparkplugwirefromthesparkplug
(Figure32)beforeperforminganymaintenance
procedure.
G017466
1
Figure32
1.Spark-plugwire
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.
ReplacingtheAirCleaner
ServiceInterval:Yearly
1.Pressdownonthelatchtabsontopoftheaircleaner
cover(Figure33).
Figure33
1.Latchtabs3.Foampre-lter
2.Paperairlter
2.Openthecover.
3.Removethepaperairlterandthefoampre-lter
(Figure33).
4.Inspectthefoampre-lter,andreplaceitifitis
damagedorexcessivelydirty.
5.Inspectthepaperairlter.
A.Ifthepaperairlterisdamagedoriswetwithoil
orfuel,replaceit.
B.Ifthepaperairlterisdirty,tapitonahard
surfaceseveraltimesorblowcompressedairless
than30psi(207kPa)throughthesideofthe
lterthatfacestheengine.
Note:Donotbrushthedirtoffthelter;
brushingforcesdirtintothebers.
6.Removedirtfromtheaircleanerbodyandcover
usingamoistrag(totrapthedirtandkeepitfrom
fallingintotheengine).Donotwipedirtintothe
airduct.
7.Insertthefoampre-lterandthepaperairlterinto
theaircleaner.
8.Installthecover.
17

ChangingtheEngineOil
ServiceInterval:Aftertherst5hours
Yearly
1.Ensurethatthefueltankcontainslittleornofuelso
thatfueldoesnotleakoutwhenyoutipthemower
ontoitsside.
2.Runtheengineafewminutesbeforechangingthe
oiltowarmit.
Note:Warmoilowsbetterandcarriesmore
contaminants.
3.Disconnectthewirefromthesparkplug.Referto
PreparingforMaintenance.
4.Removethedipstick.
5.Tipthemowerontoitsside,withthedipstickdown,
todraintheusedoiloutthroughtheoillltube
(Figure34).
G017475
Figure34
6.Returnthemowertotheoperatingposition.
7.Slowlypouroilintotheoilllhole,waitafew
minutes,andchecktheoillevelonthedipstickby
wipingthedipstickcleanandtheninserting,butnot
screwingin,theoilllcapintothehole.
Note:Max.ll:20oz.(0.59l),type:SAE30
orSAE10W-30detergentoilwithanAPIservice
classicationofSF,SG,SH,SJ,SL,orhigher.
Note:Filltheenginecrankcasewithoiluntilthe
dipstickindicatesthattheengineoilleveliscorrect
asshownin(Figure35).Ifyouoverlltheengine
withoil,removetheexcessoilasdirectedinstep5.
G017459
Figure35
1.Theoillevelisatits
maximum.
3.Theoillevelistoo
low—addoiltothe
crankcase.
2.Theoillevelistoo
high—removeoilfrom
thecrankcase.
8.Installthedipstickandhandtightenitsecurely.
9.Disposeoftheusedoilproperlyatalocalrecycling
center.
ChargingtheBattery
ServiceInterval:Every25hours
Beforestorage
Electric-startmodelonly
WARNING
Batteryposts,terminals,andrelatedaccessories
containleadandleadcompounds,chemicals
knowntotheStateofCaliforniatocausecancer
andreproductiveharm.
W ash hands after handling
batter y .
Chargethebatteryfor24hoursinitially,thenmonthly
(every25starts)orasneeded.Alwaysusethechargerin
ashelteredareaandchargethebatteryatatemperature
between32°F(0°C)and105°F(41°C)whenever
possible.
1.Connectthechargertothemowerwireharness
locatedbelowtheignitionkey(Figure36).
18

Figure36
2.Plugthechargerintoawalloutlet.
Note:Whenthebatterynolongerholdsacharge,
recycleordisposeofthelead-acidbatteryaccording
tolocalcodes.
Note:Yourbatterychargermayhaveatwo-colorLED
displaythatindicatesthefollowingstatesofcharging:
•Aredlightindicatesthatthechargerischargingthe
battery.
•Agreenlightindicatesthatthechargerisfully
chargedorthechargerisdisconnectedfromthe
battery.
•Aashinglightthatalternatesbetweenredandgreen
indicatesthatthebatteryisnearlyfullycharged.This
statelastsonlyafewminutesuntilthebatteryisfully
charged.
ReplacingtheFuse
Electric-startmodelonly
Ifthebatterydoesnotchargeortheenginedoesnot
turnwiththeelectricstarter,thefusemaybeblown.
Replaceitwitha40-ampplug-intypefuse.
Important:Youcannotstartthemowerwiththe
electricstarterorchargethebatteryunlessyou
installthefuse.
1.Unclipbothendsofthebatterycoverandremove
it(Figure37).
G017476
Figure37
2.Replacethefuseinthefuseholder(Figure38).
Figure38
Note:Yourmowercomeswithasparefuseinthe
batterycompartment.
3.Installthebatterycover.
LubricatingtheWheelGears
ServiceInterval:Every25hours
1.Wipethegreasettingsjustinsidetherearwheels
withacleanrag(Figure39).
Figure39
1.Greasetting
2.Installagreasegunontoeachttingandgentlyapply
2or3pumpsof#2multi-purposelithium-base
grease.
ReplacingtheBlade
ServiceInterval:Beforeeachuseordaily
Every25hours—Replacetheblade
orhaveitsharpened(morefrequently
iftheedgedullsquickly).
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.
19

WARNING
Thebladeissharp;contactingthebladecanresult
inseriouspersonalinjury.
Weargloveswhenservicingtheblade.
1.Disconnectthesparkplugwirefromthesparkplug.
RefertoPreparingforMaintenance.
2.Tipthemowerontoitssidewiththeairlterup.
3.Useablockawoodtoholdthebladesteady
(Figure40).
Figure40
4.Removetheblade,savingallmountinghardware.
5.Installthenewbladeandallmountinghardware.
Important:Positionthecurvedendsofthe
bladetopointtowardthemowerhousing.
6.Useatorquewrenchtotightenthebladeboltto
60ft-lb(82N-m).
Important:Abolttorquedto60ft-lb(82N-m)
isverytight.Whileholdingthebladewitha
blockofwood,putyourweightbehindthe
ratchetorwrenchandtightentheboltsecurely.
Thisboltisverydifculttoovertighten.
CleaningtheMower
ServiceInterval:Beforeeachuseordaily
WARNING
Themowermaydislodgematerialfromunderthe
mowerhousing.
•Weareyeprotection.
•Stayintheoperatingposition(behindthe
handle)whentheengineisrunning.
•Donotallowbystandersinthearea.
Forbestresults,cleanthemowersoonafteryouhave
completedmowing.
1.Lowerthemowertoitslowestcuttingheightsetting.
RefertoAdjustingtheCuttingHeight.
2.Movethemowerontoaatpavedsurface.
3.Attachagardenhosethatisconnectedtoawater
supplytothewashoutportonthemowerhousing
(Figure41).
G017477
1
Figure41
1.Washoutport
4.Turnthewateron.
5.Starttheengineandrunituntiltherearenomore
clippingsthatcomeoutfromunderthemower
housing.
6.Stoptheengine.
7.Shutoffthewateranddisconnectthegardenhose
fromthemower.
8.Starttheengineandrunitforafewminutestodry
thehousing.
20