Toro Super Recycler 20794 User manual

FormNo.3359-358RevA
53cmSuperRecycler®LawnMower
ModelNo.20794—SerialNo.280000001andUp
ModelNo.20796—SerialNo.280000001andUp
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.
Figure1
1.Modelandserialnumberplate
Writetheproductmodelandserialnumbersinthespace
below:
ModelNo.
SerialNo.
Thismanualidentiespotentialhazardsandhas
safetymessagesidentiedbythesafetyalertsymbol
(Figure2),whichsignalsahazardthatmaycauseserious
injuryordeathifyoudonotfollowtherecommended
precautions.
Figure2
1.Safetyalertsymbol
Thismanualuses2wordstohighlightinformation.
Importantcallsattentiontospecialmechanical
informationandNoteemphasizesgeneralinformation
worthyofspecialattention.
Formodelswithstatedenginehorsepower,thegross
horsepoweroftheenginewaslaboratoryratedbythe
enginemanufacturerinaccordancewithSAEJ1940.
Asconguredtomeetsafety,emission,andoperating
requirements,theactualenginehorsepoweronthisclass
oflawnmowerwillbesignicantlylower.
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.
GeneralLawnMowerSafety
ThefollowinginstructionshavebeenadaptedfromEN
836.
Thiscuttingmachineiscapableofamputatinghands
andfeetandthrowingobjects.Failuretoobservethe
©2008—TheToro®Company
8111LyndaleAvenueSouth
Bloomington,MN55420
Registeratwww.Toro.com.OriginalInstructions(EN)
PrintedintheUSA
AllRightsReserved

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
–wheneveryouleavethelawnmower.
–beforerefueling.
–beforeremovingthegrasscatcher.
–beforemakingheightadjustmentunless
adjustmentcanbemadefromtheoperator’s
position.
2

•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’searof89dBA,basedonmeasurementsof
identicalmachinesperEN836andISO11201.
SoundPower
Thisunithasaguaranteedsoundpowerlevelof98dBA,
basedonmeasurementsofidenticalmachinesperISO
11094.
Vibration,Hand/arm
Thisunitdoesnotexceedahand/armvibrationlevelof
7.0m/s2,basedonmeasurementsofidenticalmachines
perEN836andEN1033.
3

SafetyandInstructionalDecals
Important:Safetyandinstructiondecalsarelocatednearareasofpotentialdanger.Replacedamaged
decals.
Manufacturer’sMark
1.Indicatesthebladeisidentiedasapartfromtheoriginal
machinemanufacturer.
104-7908
1.Warning—donotoperatethemowerwithouttherear
dischargeplugorbaginplace;donotoperatethemower
withoutthesidedischargecoverordeectorinplace.
104-7953
Model20796only
1.Warning—readtheOperator’sManualforinformationonchargingthebattery;containslead;donotdiscard.
2.ReadtheOperator’sManual.
108-4791
Model20796only
112-8760
1.Thrownobjecthazard—stayasafedistancefromthe
machine.
2.Cutting/dismembermentofhandorfoot—stayawayfrom
movingparts.
4

112-8867
1.Lock2.Unlock
114-7982
1.Warning—readthe
Operator’sManual.
4.Cutting/dismemberment
hazardofhandorfoot,
mowerblade—stayaway
frommovingparts.
2.Thrownobject
hazard—keepbystanders
asafedistancefromthe
machine.
5.Cutting/dismemberment
hazardofhandorfoot,
mowerblade—donot
operateupanddown
slopes;operatesideto
sideonslopes;stopthe
enginebeforeleavingthe
operatingposition;and
lookbehindyouwhen
backingup.
3.Cutting/dismemberment
hazardofhandorfoot,
mowerblade—remove
theignitionkeyandread
theinstructionsbefore
servicingorperforming
maintenance.
5

Setup
Important:Removeanddiscardtheprotective
plasticsheetthatcoverstheengine.
1.AssemblingandUnfolding
theHandle
Procedure
Assemblingandunfoldingthehandle
improperlycandamagethecables,causingan
unsafeoperatingcondition.
•Donotdamagethecableswhenassembling
andunfoldingthehandle.
•Ensurethatthecablesareroutedtothe
outsideofthehandle.
•Ifacableisdamaged,contactanAuthorized
ServiceDealer.
1.Raisetherearofthemowerhousingtoitshighest
cuttingheightsettingbymovingthe2rearcutting
heightleversallthewayforward.RefertoAdjusting
theCuttingHeightintheOperationsection.
2.Attachthehandleendstothemowerhousingwith
2washersand2handlebolts(Figure3),butdonot
tightenthehandlebolts.
Figure3
1.Washer3.Handleend
2.Handlebolt
Important:Routethecablestothe outside of
thehandle(Figure3).
3.Rotatethehandlerearward(Figure4).
Figure4
4.Lockthehandleatyourdesiredheight.Referto
AdjustingtheHandleHeightintheOperation
section.
5.Torquethehandleboltsto120to160in-lb(14to
17N⋅m).
6.Adjustthecuttingheight.RefertoAdjustingthe
CuttingHeight.
6

2.InstallingtheStarterRope
Procedure
Pullthestarterropethroughtheropeguideonthe
handle(Figure5).
Figure5
1.Starterrope2.Ropeguide
Note:Tomaketheropeeasiertoinstall,squeezethe
controlbaronthehandle.
3.FillingtheEnginewithOil
Procedure
Yourmowerdoesnotcomewithoilintheengine.
1.Removethedipstick(Figure6).
Figure6
2.Slowlypouroilintotheoillltubeuntiltheoillevel
reachestheFulllineonthedipstick(Figure6).Do
notoverll.(Max.ll:20oz.(0.59l),type:SAE30
detergentoilwithanAPIserviceclassicationofSF,
SG,SH,SJ,SL,orhigher.)
3.Installthedipsticksecurely.
Important:
Change the engine oil after the r st
5 operating hour s ;changeityearlythereafter.
RefertoChangingtheEngineOil.
4.InstallingtheFuse
Procedure
Model20796only
Yourmowercomeswitha40-ampfusethatprotectsthe
electricstarter.
Important:Youcannotstartthemowerwiththe
electricstarterorchargethebatteryunlessyou
installthefuse.
1.Unclipbothendsofthebatterycoverandremoveit
(Figure7).
Figure7
2.Installthefuseinthefuseholder(Figure8).
Figure8
Note:Yourmowercomeswithafuseintheyour
owner’spacketandanotherfuseinthebatterybox.
3.Installthebatterycover.
5.ChargingtheBattery
Procedure
Model20796only
RefertoChargingtheBatteryintheMaintenance
section.
7

ProductOverview
Figure9
1.Cuttingheightlever(4)8.Bladecontrolbar
2.Sparkplug9.Upperhandle
3.Airlter10.Electricstarter(model
20796only)
4.Fueltankcap11.Grassbag
5.Oilll/Dipstick12.Battery(model20796
only)
6.Dischargedeector13.Washoutport
7.Recoilstarthandle
Figure10
1.Grassbag3.Batterycharger(model
20796only)
2.Sidedischargechute4.Reardischargeplug
(installed)
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(Figure11).
Important:Toreducestartingproblems,add
fuelstabilizertothefuelallseason,mixingitwith
gasolinelessthan30daysold.
Figure11
8

CheckingtheEngineOilLevel
ServiceInterval:Beforeeachuseordaily
1.Removethedipstick,wipeitclean,andfullyinstall
thedipstick(Figure12).
Figure12
2.Removethedipstickandchecktheoillevel
(Figure12).IftheoillevelisbelowtheAddmarkon
thedipstick,slowlypouroilintotheoillltubeto
raisetheoilleveltotheFullmarkonthedipstick.
Donotoverll.(Max.ll:20oz.(0.59l),type:SAE
30detergentoilwithanAPIserviceclassicationof
SF,SG,SH,SJ,SL,orhigher.)
3.Installthedipstick.
AdjustingtheCuttingHeight
Adjustingthecuttingheightmaybringyouinto
contactwiththemovingblade,causingserious
injury.
•Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingparts
tostop.
•Donotputyourngersunderthehousing
whenadjustingthecuttingheight.
Iftheenginehasbeenrunning,themuferwill
behotandcanseverelyburnyou.Keepaway
fromthehotmufer.
Adjustthecuttingheightasdesired.Setallfourwheels
tothesameheight.
Note:Toraisethemower,moveall4cuttingheight
leversforward;tolowerthemower,movethemall
rearward(Figure13).
Figure13
AdjustingtheHandleHeight
Youmayraiseorlowerthehandletoaposition
comfortableforyou.
Rotatethehandlelock,movethehandletooneofthree
positions,andlockthehandleintoposition(Figure14).
Figure14
1.Handlelock2.Handlepositions
9

StartingtheEngine
1.Pullthebladecontrolbartothehandle(Figure15).
Figure15
2.Turntheignitionkey(model20796only)(Figure16)
orpulltherecoilstarthandle(Figure17).
Figure16
Figure17
Note:Ifthemowerdoesnotstart,contactan
AuthorizedServiceDealer.
UsingtheSelf-propelDrive
Tooperatetheself-propeldrive,simplywalkwithyour
handsontheupperhandleandyourelbowsatyour
sides,andthemowerwillautomaticallykeeppacewith
you(Figure18).
Figure18
StoppingtheEngine
Releasethebladecontrolbar(Figure19).
Important:Whenyoureleasethebladecontrol
bar,thebladeshouldstopwithin3seconds.If
itdoesnotstopproperly,stopusingyourmower
immediatelyandcontactanAuthorizedService
Dealer.
Figure19
10

RecyclingtheClippings
Yourmowercomesfromthefactoryreadytorecyclethe
grassandleafclippingsbackintothelawn.
Ifthegrassbagisonthemower,removeit(referto
RemovingtheGrassBag)beforerecyclingtheclippings.
Ifthesidedischargechuteisonthemower,removeit
andlockthesidedischargedoor(refertoRemovingthe
SideDischargeChute)beforerecyclingtheclippings.
Important:Ensurethatthereardischargeplugis
securelyinplace.Liftupthedischargedeector
andlookfor2tabsinfrontoftheplug(Figure20).
Ifyoudonotseethem,rmlypushthepluginuntil
itsnapsintoplace(Figure21).
Figure20
1.Tabs
Figure21
1.Dischargedeector2.Reardischargeplug
BaggingtheClippings
Usethegrassbagwhenyouwanttocollectgrassand
leafclippingsfromthelawn.
Aworngrassbagcouldallowsmallstones
andothersimilardebristobethrowninthe
operator’sorbystander’sdirectionandresultin
seriouspersonalinjuryordeathtotheoperator
orbystanders.
Checkthegrassbagfrequently.Ifitis
damaged,installanewTororeplacementbag.
Ifthesidedischargechuteisonthemower,removeit
andlockthesidedischargedoor(refertoRemovingthe
SideDischargeChute)beforebaggingtheclippings.
Thebladeissharp;contactingthebladecan
resultinseriouspersonalinjury.
Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingpartsto
stopbeforeleavingtheoperatingposition.
InstallingtheGrassBag
1.Routethestarterropearoundthelowerropeguide
(Figure22).
Figure22
1.Lowerropeguide
Note:Thelowerropeguidereleasesthestarterrope
whenyoupulltherecoilstarthandle.
2.Raiseandholdupthedischargedeector(Figure23).
11

Figure23
1.Dischargedeector2.Reardischargeplug
3.Pulloutthereardischargeplug(Figure23).
4.Hangtheupperfrontedgeofthebagonthenotches
(Figure24).
Figure24
1.Dischargedeector2.Grassbag
5.Lowerthedischargedeector.
RemovingtheGrassBag
1.Routethestarterropearoundthelowerropeguide
(Figure25).
Figure25
1.Lowerropeguide
Note:Thelowerropeguidereleasesthestarterrope
whenyoupulltherecoilstarthandle.
2.Raiseandholdupthedischargedeector.
3.Liftthegrassbagupbythehandleoffthenotches.
4.Installthereardischargeplug(Figure26).
Figure26
1.Dischargedeector2.Reardischargeplug
Important:Ensurethatthereardischarge
plugissecurelyinplace.Liftupthedischarge
deectorandlookfor2tabsinfrontoftheplug
(Figure27).Ifyoudonotseethem,rmlypush
thepluginuntilitsnapsintoplace.
Figure27
1.Tabs
5.Lowerthedischargedeector.
12

Side-dischargingtheClippings
Usethesidedischargeforcuttingverytallgrass.
Ifthebagisonthemower,removeitandinserttherear
dischargeplug(refertoRemovingtheGrassBag)before
side-dischargingtheclippings.
Important:Ensurethatthereardischargeplugis
securelyinplace.Liftupthedischargedeector
andlookfor2tabsinfrontoftheplug(Figure28).
Ifyoudonotseethem,rmlypushthepluginuntil
itsnapsintoplace(Figure29).
Figure28
1.Tabs
Figure29
1.Dischargedeector2.Reardischargeplug
Thebladeissharp;contactingthebladecan
resultinseriouspersonalinjury.
Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingpartsto
stopbeforeleavingtheoperatingposition.
InstallingtheSideDischargeChute
1.Unlockthesidedischargedoor(Figure30).
Figure30
2.Liftopenthesidedischargedoor(Figure31).
Figure31
3.Installthesidedischargechuteandclosethedoor
ontothechute(Figure32).
Figure32
RemovingtheSideDischargeChute
Toremovethesidedischargechute,reversethesteps
above.
Important:Lockthesidedischargedoorafteryou
closeit(Figure33).
Figure33
13

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.
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).
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.
•Ensurethattheenginestopswithin3secondsafterreleasingthebladecontrolbar.
•Cleangrassclippingsanddirtfromunderthemower.
Every25hours
•Chargethebattery.
•Lubricatetherearwheelgears.
•Replacethebladeorhaveitsharpened(morefrequentlyiftheedgedullsquickly).
Every50hours•Changetheengineoil.
Every100hours•Cleanthecoolingsystem(refertoyourengineowner’smanual).
•Replacethesparkplug(refertoyourengineowner’smanual).
Beforestorage•Chargethebattery.
•Emptythefueltankbeforerepairsasdirectedandbeforeannualstorage.
Yearly
•Replacetheairlter(morefrequentlyindustyoperatingconditions).
•Checkthesparkplug(refertoyourengineowner’smanual).
•RefertoyourEngineOperator’sManualforanyadditionalyearlymaintenance
procedures.
Important:Refertoyour Engine Operator’ s Man ual foradditionalmaintenanceprocedures.
PreparingforMaintenance
1.Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingpartstostop.
2.Disconnectthesparkplugwirefromthesparkplug
(Figure34)beforeperforminganymaintenance
procedure.
Figure34
3.Afterperformingthemaintenanceprocedure(s),
connectthesparkplugwiretothesparkplug.
Important:Beforetippingthemowertochange
theoilorreplacetheblade,allowthefueltank
torundrythroughnormalusage.Ifyoumust
tipthemowerpriortorunningoutoffuel,usea
handfuelpumptoremovethefuel.Alwaystip
themowerontoitssidewiththeairlterup.
Tippingthemowermaycausethefueltoleak.
Gasolineisammable,explosiveandcancause
personalinjury.
Runtheenginedryorremovethegasolinewith
ahandpump;neversiphon.
15

ReplacingtheAirFilter
ServiceInterval:Yearly
1.Performthepre-maintenanceprocedures;referto
PreparingforMaintenance.
2.Useascrewdrivertoopentheairltercover
(Figure35).
Figure35
3.Replacetheairlter.
4.Installthecover(Figure36).
Figure36
ChangingtheEngineOil
ServiceInterval:Aftertherst5hours
Every50hours
Runtheengineafewminutesbeforechangingtheoil
towarmit.Warmoilowsbetterandcarriesmore
contaminants.
1.Performthepre-maintenanceprocedures;referto
PreparingforMaintenance.
2.Removethedipstick(Figure37).
Figure37
3.Tipthemowerontoitsside,withtheairlterup,
todraintheusedoiloutthroughtheoillltube
(Figure38).
Figure38
4.Slowlypouroilintotheoillltubeuntiltheoillevel
reachestheFulllineonthedipstick(Figure39).Do
notoverll.(Max.ll:20oz.(0.59l),type:SAE30
detergentoilwithanAPIserviceclassicationofSF,
SG,SH,SJ,SL,orhigher.)
Figure39
5.Installthedipsticksecurely.
6.Disposeoftheusedoilproperlyatalocalrecycling
center.
16

ChargingtheBattery
ServiceInterval:Every25hours
Beforestorage
Model20796only
Chargethebatteryfor24hoursinitially,thenmonthly
(every25starts)orasneeded.Alwaysusethecharger
inashelteredareaandchargethebatteryatroom
termperature(70°For22°C)wheneverpossible.
1.Connectthechargertothemowerwireharness
locatedbelowtheignitionkey(Figure40).
Figure40
2.Plugthechargerintoawalloutlet.
Note:Whenthebatterynolongerholdsacharge,
recycleordisposeofthelead-acidbatteryaccordingto
localcodes.
ReplacingtheFuse
Model20796only
Ifthebatterydoesnotchargeortheenginedoesnot
turnwiththeelectricstarter,thefusemaybeblown.
Replaceitwitha40-ampplug-intypefuse.Referto
InstallingtheFuse.
LubricatingtheWheelGears
ServiceInterval:Every25hours
1.Wipethegreasettingsjustinsidetherearwheels
withacleanrag(Figure41).
Figure41
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.
Thebladeissharp;contactingthebladecan
resultinseriouspersonalinjury.
Weargloveswhenservicingtheblade.
1.Disconnectthesparkplugwirefromthesparkplug.
RefertoPreparingforMaintenance.
2.Tipthemowerontoitssidewiththeairlterup.
3.Useablockawoodtoholdthebladesteady
(Figure42).
17

Figure42
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
Themowermaydislodgematerialfromunder
themowerhousing.
•Weareyeprotection.
•Stayintheoperatingposition(behindthe
handle)whentheengineisrunning.
•Donotallowbystandersinthearea.
Forbestresults,cleanthemowersoonafteryouhave
completedmowing.
1.Lowerthemowertoitslowestcuttingheightsetting.
RefertoAdjustingtheCuttingHeight.
2.Movethemowerontoaatpavedsurface.
3.Attachagardenhosethatisconnectedtoawater
supplytothewashoutportonthemowerhousing
(Figure43).
Figure43
1.Washoutport
4.Turnthewateron.
5.Starttheengineandrunituntiltherearenomore
clippingsthatcomeoutfromunderthemower
housing.
6.Stoptheengine.
7.Shutoffthewateranddisconnectthegardenhose
fromthemower.
8.Starttheengineandrunitforafewminutestodry
thehousing.
18

Storage
Storethemowerinacool,clean,dryplace.
PreparingtheMowerfor
Storage
Gasolinevaporscanexplode.
•Donotstoregasolinemorethan30days.
•Donotstorethemowerinanenclosurenear
anopename.
•Allowtheenginetocoolbeforestoringit.
1.Onthelastrefuelingoftheyear,addfuelstabilizer
tothefuelasdirectedbytheenginemanufacturer.
2.Runthemoweruntiltheenginestopsfromrunning
outoffuel.
3.Allowtheenginetorununtilitstops.Whenyoucan
nolongerstarttheengine,itissufcientlydry.
4.Removethewirefromthesparkplugandconnect
thewireontotheretainingpost.
5.Removethesparkplug,add1oz.(30ml)ofoil
throughthesparkplughole,andpullthestarterrope
slowlyseveraltimestodistributeoilthroughoutthe
cylindertopreventcylindercorrosionduringthe
off-season.
6.Looselyinstallthesparkplug.
7.Tightenallnuts,bolts,andscrews.
8.Chargethebatteryfor24hours,thenunplugthe
batterychargerandstorethemowerinanunheated
area.Ifyoumuststorethemowerinaheatedarea,
youmustchargethebatteryevery90days(model
20796only).
FoldingtheHandle
If,whilefoldingthehandleforstoringor
transportingthemower,youaccidentlybump
thekeyandengagethebladecontrolbar,the
enginecouldstartandrotatetheblade,causing
seriouspersonalinjury.
Alwaysremovetheignitionkeybeforeyoufold
thehandle.
1.Rotatethehandleforward(Figure44).
Important:Routethecablestotheoutsideof
thehandleknobsasyoufoldtheupperhandle.
Figure44
2.Tounfoldthehandle,refertoAssemblingand
UnfoldingtheHandleintheSetupsection.
RemovingtheMowerfrom
Storage
1.Removethesparkplugandspintheenginerapidly
usingthestartingsystemtoblowtheexcessoilfrom
thecylinder.
2.Installthesparkplugandtightenitwithatorque
wrenchto15ft-lb(20N-m).
3.Chargethebattery(model20796only).
4.Connectthewiretothesparkplug.
19

Notes:
20