Yard Works 270-1115 User manual

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Item No .270-1115
IMPORTANT:
Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.
For parts or service, please call toll free helpline at 1-888-266-7096
20" Electric Lawn Mower

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Contents .............................................................................................................................. 2
.......................................................................................................... 2
Safety information............................................................................................................. 3-7
Symbols ............................................................................................................................8-9
Electrical....................................................................................................................... 10-11
Know your lawn mower ...................................................................................................... 12
Assembly ...................................................................................................................... 13-18
Operation...................................................................................................................... 19-23
Maintenance ................................................................................................................. 24-25
Storage .............................................................................................................................. 26
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................. 27
Warranty ............................................................................................................................ 28
Exploded View ................................................................................................................... 29
Parts List....................................................................................................................... 30-32
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
20" ELECTRIC LAWN MOWER
Motor ............................................................................................ 120 V AC, 60 Hz, 12 A
No-load speed ................................................................................................ 3600 RPM
Cutting path ................................................................................................ 20" (50.8 cm)
Height adjustments............................................................1 1/4—3 3/8" (3.2 cm-8.6 cm)
Functions......................................................... 3-in-1: Mulch, side discharge or rear bag
Weight .....................................................................................................56 lbs (25.4 kg)
CONTENTS

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SAFETY INFORMATION
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
I M P O R T A N T
READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL INSTRUCTIONS. Failure to follow all instructions listed below
.
•
liquids, gases, or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
•To reduce the risk of electric shock, this appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider
proper outlet. Do not change the plug in any way.
•Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges, and refrigerators.
There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is grounded.
•Don’t expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase
the risk of electric shock.
•Do not handle plug or tool with wet hands.
•Use outdoor extension cords marked W-A, W, SW-A, SOW-A, STW-A, STOW-A, SJW-A,
SJTW-A, or SJTOW-A. These cords are rated for outdoor use and reduce the risk of electric
shock.
•Never allow children to operate the equipment. This is not a toy. Never allow adults to operate
the equipment without proper instruction.
•Keep all bystanders, children, and pets at least 50 ft. away.
•Always wear safety glasses with side shields. Everyday glasses have only impact resistant
lenses. They are NOT safety glasses. Following this rule will reduce the risk of eye injury. Use
face mask if operation is dusty.
•Wear eye protection which is marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1 when operating this product.
•Use extra care when cleaning on stairs.
•Do not leave appliance plugged in. Unplug from outlet when not in use and before servicing.
•Do not expose to rain; store indoors.
•Use only as described in this manual. Use only identical manufacturer’s replacement parts
and accessories. Use of any other parts may create a hazard or cause product damage.
•Secure long hair so it is above shoulder level to prevent entanglement in any moving parts.
•Wear heavy long pants, boots, and gloves. Avoid loose garments or jewelry that could get
caught in moving parts of the machine or its motor.
•
•Do not operate the equipment while barefoot or when wearing sandals or similar lightweight
footwear. Wear protective footwear that will protect your feet and improve your footing on
slippery surfaces.
•Do not force tool. Use the correct tool for your application. The correct tool will do the job
better and safer at the rate for which it is designed.

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SAFETY INFORMATION
•Turn off all controls before unplugging.
•Avoid accidental starting. Be sure the power switch is not on before plugging in. Turn off
power switch before unplugging.
•Do not use tool if switch does not turn it on or off. Any tool that cannot be controlled with the
switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
•Do not use with damaged cord or plug. If appliance is not working as it should, has been
dropped, damaged, left outdoors, or dropped into water, return it to a service center.
•Do not leave the tool when plugged in. Unplug from the power outlet when not in use, before
servicing, and before storing the tool. Such preventative safety measures reduce the risk of
starting the tool accidentally.
•
medication.
•Do not operate in poor lighting.
•Keep all parts of your body away from any moving parts and all hot surfaces of the unit.
•Do not put any object into openings. Do not use with any opening blocked; keep openings free
•Check the work area before each use. Remove all objects such as rocks, broken glass, nails,
wire, or string which can be thrown or become entangled in the machine.
•Do not pull or carry by cord, use cord as a handle, close a door on a cord, or pull cord around
sharp edges or corners. Do not run appliance over cord. Keep cord away from heated
surfaces.
•Do not unplug by pulling on cord. To unplug, grasp the plug, not the cord.Do not put any object
into openings. Do not use with any opening blocked; keep free of dust, lint, hair, and anything
•Do not handle plug or appliance with wet hands.
•In a double insulated appliance, two systems of insulation are provided instead of grounding.
No grounding means is provided on a double insulated appliance, nor should a means
for grounding be added to the appliance. Servicing a double insulated appliance requires
extreme care and knowledge of the system and should be done only by qualified service
personnel. Replacement parts for a double insulated appliance must be identical to the parts
they replace.
•Not intended for commercial use.
SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES FOR MOWER
W A R N I N G
This symbol points out important safety instructions, which if not followed, could endanger the
personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this
manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions
may result in personal injury.

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SAFETY INFORMATION
D A N G E R
This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual.
As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result
in serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects.
Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
W A R N I N G
When using electric lawn mowers, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce
GENERAL OPERATION
Use of this mower should be restricted to individuals who have read and understoood and will
follow the warningsand instructions that are printed in this manual and on the mower.
•Carefully read all instructions on the mower and in the manual before attempting to assemble
and operate the mower. Keep this manual in a safe place for future reference, and consult it
regularly.
•Become familiar with all controls and their proper operation. Know how to stop the mower and
how to disengage the power in an emergency.
•In order to avoid contact with the blade or injury caused by a thrown object, stay in the
operating zone behind the handles, and keep children and bystanders at least 50 ft.(15 m)
away from the mower while it is in operation. Stop the motor immediately if someone enters
the mowing area.
•Thoroughly inspect the area where the mower is to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire,
toys, and other objects that could be tripped over or thrown by the blade. Thrown objects can
cause serious personal injury.
•Plan your mowing pattern in such a way as to avoid discharging material toward roads,
sidewalks, bystanders, etc. Do not discharge material against a wall or obstruction. Doing so
may cause the discharged material to ricochet back toward the operator.
•Always wear proper eye protection in order to protect your eyes while operating or performing
any adjustment or repair. Thrown objects that ricochet can cause serious eye injury.
•Always wear a face mask or a dust mask when operating the mower in a dusty environment.
•Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry that can get caught in moving parts. The
wearing of protective gloves and safety footwear is recommended.
•Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection should be provided on the circuit(s) or
outlet(s) to be used for the lawn mower. Receptacles are available having built-in GFCI
protection and may be used for this measure of safety.
•Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled over the operator's foot during a
fall caused by slipping or tripping. Do not operate this mower in bare feet, or while wearing
sandals or lightweight (e.g.:canvas) shoes. Do not hold onto the mower if you are falling.
Release the handle immediately.

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SAFETY INFORMATION
•Never pull the mower back toward you while you are walking. If you must back the mower
then follow these steps:
•Step back from the mower in order to fully extend your arms.
•Be sure that you are well balanced.
•Pull the mower back slowly.
•Do not use the mower for any job except that for which it is intended. Do not force the mower.
•Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the cutting deck. Contact with the blade
can amputate hands and feet.
•Do not attempt to adjust the wheels or the cutting height while the motor is running.
•Avoid dangerous environments. Do not operate the mower in the rain or in wet or damp grass.
•
•Stop the blade when crossing gravel driveways, walkways,or roads.
•If the mower starts to vibrate excessively, stop the motor and check for the cause immediately.
Vibrationis generally a warning of trouble.
•Stop the motor and wait until the blade comes to a complete stop before removing the grass
catcher or unclogging the chute. The cutting blade will continue to rotate for a few seconds
after the motor is shut off. Do not place any part of your body in the blade area until you are
sure that the blade has stopped rotating.
•Never operate mower without a proper trail shield, discharge cover, grass catcher, blade/
motor control, or other safety device in place and in working order. Do not operate the mower
with damaged safety devices. Doing so can result in injury.
•Stay behind the handle when the engine (motor) is running.
•Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
•Do not pull machine backward unless absolutely necessary. Always look down and behind
before and while moving backward.
•Never leave a running machine unattended.
•
W A R N I N G ( P R O P O S I T I O N 6 5 )
Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling and other construction activities
contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:
• Lead from lead-based paints,
• Crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry products, and
•Arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber.
Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often you do this type of work. To
reduce your exposure to these chemical: work in a well ventilated area, and work with approved
particles.

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SAFETY INFORMATION
CHILD SAFETY
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not aware of the presence of children.
•Keep children out of the mowing area and under the watchful care of a responsible adult.
•Do not allow children under the age of 14 to operate this mower. Children who are 14 years
of age and older must read and understand the operating instructions and safety rules in this
manual and must be trained and supervised by a parent.
•Stay alert, and turn the mower off if a child or any other person enters the mowing area.
•Look behind and down for small children before and while moving backwards.
•Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, doorways, shrubs, trees, or other objects
that may obscure your view of a child who may run into the path of the mower.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

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Some of the following symbols may be used on this product. Please study them and learn their
meaning. Proper interpretation of these symbols will allow you to operate the product better and safer.
SYMBOLS
n
o
SYMBOL NAME DESIGNATION/EXPLANATION
V Volts Voltage
A Amperes Current
Hz Hertz Frequency (cycles per second)
W Watts Power
min Minutes Time
Alternating Current Type of current
Direct Current Type or a characteristic of current
No Load Speed Rational speed, at no load
Class II Construction Double-insulated construction
/min Per Minute Revolutions, strokes, surface speed, orbits etc.,
per minute
Wet Conditions Alert Do not expose to rain or use in damp locations
Read The Operator’s Manual To reduce the risk of injury user must read and
understand operator’s manual before using this
product.
Eye and Head Protection Wear eye and head protection when operating
this equipment.
Ricochet Thrown objects can ricochet and result in personal
injury or property damage.
Sharp Blade Danger – Keep hands and feet away from blade.
Operating on a slope Do not mow a slope that has an angle of greater
than 15°.
Keep Bystanders Away Keep all bystanders at least 50 ft. away.
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The following signal words and meanings are intended to explain the levels of risk associated
with this product.
SERVICE
service technician. For service we suggest you return the product to your nearest AUTHORIZED
SERVICE CENTER for repair. When servicing, use only identical replacement parts.
W A R N I N G
To avoid serious personal injury, do not attempt to use this product until you have read this
Owner's Manual thoroughly and understand it completely. If you do not understand the warnings
and instructions in this Owner's Manual, do not use this product. Call the Toll-free Helpline
1-888-266-7096 for assistance.
W A R N I N G
The operation of any power tool can result in foreign objects being thrown into your
eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Before beginning power tool operation,
always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields and, when needed, a
full face shield. We recommend Wide Vision Safety Mask for use over eyeglasses or
standard safety glasses with side shields. Always use eye protection which is marked
to comply with ANSI Z87.1.
SYMBOL SIGNAL MEANING
DANGER Indicates an imminently hazardous situation, which, if not
avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
WARNING Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided,
may result in minor or moderate injury.
CAUTION (Without Safety Alert Symbol) Indicates a situation that may
result in property damage.
SYMBOLS
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

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1) 2-prong plug
2) Properly grounded extension cord Fig. 1
ELECTRICAL
DOUBLE INSULATED LAWN MOWER (See Figure 1.)
C A U T I O N
IN ALL CASES, MAKE CERTAIN THE RECEPTACLE IN QUESTION IS PROPERLY GROUNDED.
IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, HAVE A CERTIFIED ELECTRICIAN CHECK THE RECEPTACLE.
W A R N I N G
THIS MOWER IS FOR OUTDOOR USE ONLY. DO NOT EXPOSE TO RAIN OR USE IN DAMP
LOCATIONS.
This mower is “DOUBLE INSULATED”
•Replacement Parts: When servicing use only identical replacement parts.
•Polarized Appliance Connections: To reduce the risk of electric shock, this appliance has
a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other) and will require the use of a polarized
extension cord. The appliance plug will fit into a polarized extension cord only one way. If
a qualified electrician to install the proper wall outlet. Do not change the equipment plug,
extension cord receptacle, or extension cord plug in any way.
GUIDELINES FOR USING EXTENSION CORDS
USE THE PROPER EXTENSION CORD. Make sure your extension cord is in good condition.
When using an extension cord, be sure to use one heavy enough to carry the current your
product will draw. An undersized cord will cause overheating. The table below shows the correct
size to use depending on cord length and nameplate ampere rating. If in doubt, use the next
heavier gauge. The smaller the gauge number, the heavier the cord.