OPERATOR'S MANUAL SELF-PROPELLED ROTARY LAWN MOWER • Assembly • Operation • Maintenance • Service and Adjustments • Storage • Troubleshooting 172787 Rev. 4 08.07.01 VB/BY Printed in U.S.A.
Safety Rules ......................................... 2-3 Assembly ............................................. 5-8 Operation ........................................... 9-17 Maintenance .................................... 18-20 Service and Adjustments ................. 21-23 Storage ............................................ 24-25 Troubleshooting ............................... 26-27 IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects.
III. CHILDREN Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the machine and the mowing activity. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them. • Keep children out of the trimming area and under the watchful care of another responsible adult. • Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area. • Before and while walking backwards, look behind and down for small children.
CONGRATULATIONS onyourpurchase ofanewLawnMower. Ithasbeendesigned, engineered andmanufactured togiveyouthebestpossible dependability andperformance. Should youexperience anyproblems youcannot easilyremedy, please contact your nearest authorized service center. Theyhavecompetent, welltrained technicians and thepropertoolstoservice orrepairthisunit.
_I, CAUTION: Do not operate this mower without the discharge guard or an entire approved grass catcher in place. These guards are for your protection and are required by the American National Standards Institute and Consumer Products Safety Commission. _i'LCAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug. HOWTO SET UP YOUR LAWN MOWER UNFOLD HANDLE IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so as not to pinch or damage control cables.
FOR REAR DISCHARGE MOWERS ONLY - ASSEMBLE GRASS CATCHER HINGE BRACKET MOUNTED _oor IMPORTANT: If your model lawn mower is mulcher ready, the mulcher plate or plug must be removed before using mower as a bagger. To convert mower to bagging or discharging, see the Operation section in this manual. Look at the different grass catcher illustrations that follow. Determine which type of grass catcher you have and follow the appropriate instructions. \ Hinge bracket Grass catcher frame "FABRIC TOP" GRASS CATC
• Install two (2) blunt pointed screws in front holes and tighten securely. "HARDTOP"GRASSCATCHER ASSEMBLE FRAME AND BAG • Thread upper tubular frame into hem of bag as shown. Be sure angled ends of frame point downwards. • Slip lower frame into tubular upper frame as shown. • Slip vinyl bindings over frame. (Rear a_ _-_. FORWARD Catcher bag and {tame Hem/ Catcher top Sharp pointed screws 7t_ 81unt pointed screws (Front holes) TO ATTACH HARD TOP CATCHER • Open the rear door on mower housing.
SPARK PLUG BOOT FOR ELECTRIC START MODELS ONLY-TO PREPARE BATTERY On some models a spark plug boot is packed loose in the parts bag. If your model has the boot, install on spark plug wire and reconnect spark plug wire to spark plug. NOTE: Your battery must be charged before you can start your lawn mower. • Disconnect engine connector (male) from battery connector (female). • Connect battery charger connector (male) to battery connector (female). • Plug battery charger into 110 volt A.C. outlet.
Theoperation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields while operating your lawn mower or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend a wide vision safety mask over spectacles or standard safety glasses. HOWTO MODELS WITH ENGINE MOUNTED SPEED CONTROL The engine speed is controlled by a lever located at the carburetor on the engine.
TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT Adjust cutting height to suit your requirements. Medium position isbest for most lawns. Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels for high cut. MODELS WITH "SINGLE POINT" WHEEL HEIGHT ADJUSTERS • All four wheels are adjusted by a single lever, • Pull adjuster lever toward wheel. To raise mower, move lever forward to desired position. To lower mower, move the lever toward the rear.
FOR MULCHING MOWERS ONLY Most mulching mowers are shipped ready to be used as a mulcher. MULCHER "REAR DISCHARGE ONLY" MOWERS Some models have a seperate mulcher plug, other models have the mulcher plug built into the rear door. To convert to bagging or discharging, the plate or plug (if so equipped) must be removed from the discharge opening of the lawn mower. • Open rear door and remove mulcher plate or plug (if so equipped). Store mulcher plate or plug in a safe place.
MULCHER PLUG TYPE"A" Toconvert tomulching operation, mulcher plugmustbeinstalled intodischarge opening ofmower. • Raisedischarge guardandwork mulcher plugintodischarge opening of mower. • Position lockleveroverhingebracket as shown and raise lever to lock mulcher plug in place. • Allow discharge guard to rest against lock lever. • To return to discharging or bagging operation, simply lower lock lever and remove mulcher plug from mower.
"COMBI-CUT" MOWERS Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging or discharging: REAR BAGGING • Open rear door and remove mulcher plate. Store mulcher plate in a safe place. • You can now install grass catcher. • To convert to mulching or discharging operation, install mulcher plug into rear discharge opening of mower, making sure all tabs are seated properly. Open mulcher door Discharge Slots "\ Mulcher plate tabs SIDE DISCHARGING • Mulcher plate must be installed in
SIDE DISCHARGING • Muncher plug must be installed into rear discharge opening of mower. • Open mulcher door and install discharge deflector under door as shown. • Mower is now ready for discharging operation. • To convert to mulching or bagging operation, discharge deflector must be removed and mulcher door must be closed. SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER WHEN CONVERTING YOUR "COMBI-CUT" OR "MULTI-CUT" LAWN MOWER FOR MULCHING • Rear mulcher plate or plug installed (if equipped) and rear door closed.
DRIVE CONTROL FRONT WHEEL DRIVE • Self-propelling is controlled by holding the operator presence control bar down to the handle and pushing the drive control lever forward until it clicks; then releasing the lever. • Forward motion will stop when the operator presence control bar is released. To stop forward motion without stopping engine, release the operator presence control bar slightly until the drive control disengages.
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE Read the engine manual packed with your mower. FILL ENGINE WITH OIL Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in the engine. • Be sure mower is level and area around oil fill is clean. • Remove engine oil filler plug (oil fill cap/ dipstick on models so equipped). • Slowly add oil. For type and grade of oil to use, see "ENGINE" in the Maintenance section of this manual. • Fill to the top of slot in filler hole (to "FULL" line on dipstick on models so equipped). Do not overfill.
MOWING TIPS FOR MULCHING MOWERS MULCHING MOWING TIPS • For most cutting conditions and better bagging performance, the engine speed should be set in the fast position. • Under certain conditions, such as when mowing very tall grass, raise the mower height on the first cut to reduce pushing effort, to avoid overheating the engine, and to avoid leaving clumps of grass clippings. Make the second cut to the desired height. • For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the width of cut.
MA.NTE.A.OESO.EDULE FiLL IN DATES ,+.s .,ou COMPLB'rE REGULAR SERVICE j_t_v_v Check for Loose Fasteners Clean]Inspect Grass Catcher _ M (If Equipped) Clean Lawn Mower _ O (Clean Power+Propelled Under DriveMowers) Cover _4 _)_._ ,:,. +,-,,,',+o o bP_HVIt_ L)P,.
LAWN MOWER Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance. TIRES • Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemicals which can harm rubber. • Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and other hazards that may cause tire damage. BLADE CARE For best results, mower blade must be kept sharp. Replace bent or damaged blades. TO REPLACE BLADE • Turn lawn mower. See engine manual for proper direction of turning over the engine.
DRIVE WHEELS Check front drive wheels each time before you mow to be sure they move freely. The wheels not turning freely means trash, grass cuttings, etc. are in the drive wheel area and must be cleaned to free drive wheels. If necessary to clean the drive wheels, check both front wheels. • Remove hubcaps (if equipped), hairpin cotters and washers (or flange Iocknut If equipped with threaded axle) from both drive wheels. • Remove wheels from wheel adjusters.
_CAUTION: Before performing any service or adjustments: • Release operator presence control bar. • Make sure the blade and all moving parts have completely stopped. • Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place where it cannot come in contact with plug. 3 POSITION "EURO" OR "EZ" LAWN MOWER The handle on your lawn mower has three TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT (3) height positions - adjust to height that See "TO ADJUST CUI"TING HEIGHT" in suits you.
3 POSITION "QUICK" Thehandle onyourlawn mower REAR DEFLECTOR (IF EQUIPPED) The rear deflector, attached between the rear wheels of your mower, is provided to minimize the possibility that objects will be thrown out of the rear of the mower into the operator mowing position If the deflector becomes damaged, it should be replaced TO REMOVE / REPLACE DRIVE BELT FRONT WHEEL GEAR DRIVE • Remove drive cover.
NOTE:Whenre-assembling pinion, be ,Clutch frame surethatthefeltwasher isinplacebehind therollpinandthattherollpinisseated in theslotsonthebearing andinthebackof thepinion. • Whenreinstalling thebeltcoverbesure Front thefronthookisunderclutchframe. hook Reinstall inrearofcover. DRIVE BELT ADJUSTMENT (FRONT BELTDRIVE MODELS ONLY) Amisadjusted beltwillwearfaster.Be suretokeepbeltproperly adjusted.
Immediately prepare your lawn mower for storage at the end of the season or if the unit will not be used for 30 days or more. _CAUTION: Never store the lawn mower with gasoline in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark. Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure. 3 POSITION HANDLES When setting up your handle from the storage position, the lower handle will require manually locking into the mowing position.
Uppe ENGINE OIL Drain oil (with engine warm) and replace with clean oil (See "ENGINE" in the Maintenance section of this manual). Lower CYLINDER Operator p control bar Fold backward Mowing position ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM IMPORTANT: It is important to prevent gum deposits from forming in essential fuel system parts such as carburetor, fuel filter, fuel hose, or tank during storage.
TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEM Does net start CHART CAUSE CORRECTION 1. Dirty air filter. 2. Out of fuel. 3. Stale fuel. 1. 2. 3. 4. Water in fuel. 4. 5. Spark plug wire is disconnected. Bad spark plug. Loose blade or broken blade adapter. Control bar in released 5. 6. 7. 8. position. 9. Control bar defective. 10. Week battery. 11. Disconnected battery connector. Loss of power 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Poor cut- uneven Rear of lawn mower housing or cutting blade dragging in heavy grass.
TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEM Excessive vibration CHART CAUSE CORRECTION 1. Worn, bent or loose blade. 1. 2. Bent engine crankshaft. 2. 1. Engine flywheel brake is on 1. when control bar is released. 2. Bent engine crankshaft. 2. 3. 4. Blade adapter broken. Blade dragging in grass. 3. 4. 1. 1. 2. Drive wheels not turning with drive control engaged. Belt not driving 2. Grass catcher not filling (if so equipped) 1. 2. 3. Cutting height too low. Lift on blade worn off.