YARD OPERATOR'S MAN UAL 21" Rear & Side Discharge Mulching Mower Model Series 540 IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forestcovered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any).
TABLEOFCONTENTS Content Page Important Safe Operation Practices ................................................................... 3 Slope Gauge ...................................................................................................... 6 Assembling Your Lawn Mower ........................................................................... 7 Know Your Lawn Mower .................................................................................... 9 Operating Your Lawn Mower ............
SECTION1: IMPORTANT SAFEOPERATION PRACTICES WARNING: 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. When you see this symbol - heed its warning.
unclogging thechute.Thecutting bladecontinues to rotateforafewseconds aftertheengine isshutoff. Never placeanypartofthebodyintheblade areauntil youaresurethebladehasstopped rotating. 20. Never operate mower without proper trailshield, discharge cover,grasscatcher, bladecontrol handle or othersafetyprotective devices inplaceandworking. Never operate mower withdamaged safety devices. Failure todoso,canresultinpersonal injury. 21. Muffler andengine become hotandcancause aburn.Do nottouch. 22.
4. 5. 6. 7. 8. _ intervals forproper tightness. Also,visually inspect blade fordamage (e.g.,bent,cracked, worn)Replace blade withtheoriginal equipment manufacture's (O.E.M.) blade only,listedinthismanual. "Useofpartswhichdonot meettheoriginal equipment specifications mayleadto improper performance andcompromise safety!" Mower blades aresharpandcancut.Wrapthebladeor weargloves, anduseextracaution whenservicing them. Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrews tighttobesurethe equipment isinsafeworking condition.
o E SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE 1'91 ¢- A POWER POLE A CORNER OF A BUILDING o l ,.i-, o 11-, o f- o c_ u) q) a) cl o o r- QO E o c_ 15 ° "o o ,_ 2- WARNING Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). A riding mower could overturn and cause serious injury.
SECTION3: ASSEMBLINGYOURLAWNMOWER IMPORTANT:This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil in the engine. Be certain to service engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate engine manual before operating your mower. NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower is observed from the operating position. RemovingUnitFromCarton • • • • Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open carton. Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.e.
Attaching Starter • Rope The rope guide is attached to the right side of upper handle. Loosen the wing nut which secures the rope guide. See Figure 5. Starter. Rope Discharge Door Handle "_ Nut Rope f Guide Figure 5 Figure 7 With the spark plug wire disconnected and grounded, hold the blade control handle against the upper handle, and pull the starter rope out of the engine. Release the blade control handle. Slip the starter rope into the rope guide. Tighten the wing nut.
SECTION4: KNOWYOURLAWNMOWER Read this operator's manual and safety rules before operating your lawn mower. Compare the illustration in Figure 9 with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference. GrassCatcher The grass catcher, located at the rear of the mower, is used to bag the grass clippings for disposal at another site. Once the bag is full, it has to be removed from the mower and emptied before any further mowing.
Stand behind the mower and squeeze the blade control handle against the upper handle. Grasp recoil starter handle and pull rope out slowly until engine reaches the start of compression cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this point). Let the rope rewind slowly. Pull rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. Keeping a firm grip on the starter handle, let the rope return to the starter slowly.
IMPORTANT:All wheels must be placed in the same relative position. For rough or uneven lawns, move the height adjustment lever to a higher position. This will help stop scalping of the grass. HeightAdjustment Lever EngineAdjustments See the separate engine manual packed with your unit for adjustments to the engine. Figure 11 SECTION7: MAINTAININGYOURLAWNMOWER GeneralRecommendations • • • • Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance.
Lubrication Always stop engine and disconnect spark plug wire before cleaning, lubricating or doing any kind of service work on the lawn mower. Rear Discharge Handle Bracket \ Blade Control: Lubricate the pivot points on the blade control handle and the brake cable at least once a season with light oil. The blade control must operate freely in both directions. See Figure 12.
Remove the blade and the adapter from the crankshaft. • • • _11 • _;>/Support /Hex Slide the blade adapter onto the engine crankshaft. Place the blade on the adapter. Be certain the blade is aligned and seated on the blade adapter flanges. Place blade bell support on blade. Make sure the notches on the blade bell support are aligned with small holes in the blade. Replace hex bolt and tighten hex bolt to torque: 450 in. Ibs. min., 600 in. Ibs. max.
SECTION8: TROUBLESHOOTING Problem Engine fails to start Cause Remedy 1. 2. 3. 4. Blade control handle disengaged. Spark plug wire disconnected. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel. Blocked fuel line. 1. 2. 3. 4. Engage blade control handle. Connect wire to spark plug. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. Clean fuel line. 5. 6. Faulty spark plug. Engine flooded 5. 6. Clean, adjust gap, or replace. Wait a few minutes to restart, but do not prime. 1. 2. Spark plug wire loose.
Notes 15
ModelSeries540 11 \ 95 6 52 17 / 2O 23 57 3O 55 59 71 8\ 7O \ 72 16
Model Series540 Ref. No. 1. PaN No. 747-0824 647-0004 Ref. No. Part Description Part No. Part Description 17488A Pivot Bar- RH 17489A Pivot Bar - LH 51. 52. 782-5002 Front Baffle 712-0397 Wing Knob Rear Baffle Control Handle Assembly Deluxe Control Handle 50. 2. 710-1205 3. 720-0279 Rope Guide Handle Knob 4. 710-1174 Curved Hd. Bolt 5/16-18 x 2" 53. 782-5003 5. 712-0324 Hex L-Nut 1/4-20 Thd. 54. 710-1017 6. 720-0314 Hand Knob 55. 710-0896 Torx Mach. AB-Tap Scr.
MANUFACTURER'S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: YARD workmanship for a period of two (2) years commencing on the date of original purchase and will, at its option, repair or replace, free of charge, any part found to be defective in c. Routine maintenance items such as lubricants, filters, blade sharpening and tune-ups, or adjustments such as brake adjustments, clutch adjustments or deck adjustments; and normal deterioration of the exterior finish due to use or exposure. d.