Operator's Manual

ManualsBrandsToro ManualsLawn MowersToro 20961

FormNo.3408-418RevB

55cmRecycler

LawnMowerwithSmartStow

ModelNo.20961—SerialNo.400000000andUp

Operator'sManual

Introduction

Thisrotary-blade,walk-behindlawnmowerisintendedto

beusedbyresidentialhomeowners.Itisdesignedprimarily

forcuttinggrassonwell-maintainedlawnsonresidential

properties.Itisnotdesignedforcuttingbrushorfor

agriculturaluses.

Readthisinformationcarefullytolearnhowtooperateand

maintainyourproductproperlyandtoavoidinjuryand

productdamage.Youareresponsibleforoperatingthe

productproperlyandsafely.

YoumaycontactTorodirectlyatwww.Toro.comforproduct

andaccessoryinformation,helpndingadealer,ortoregister

yourproduct.

Wheneveryouneedservice,genuineToroparts,oradditional

information,contactanAuthorizedServiceDealerorToro

CustomerServiceandhavethemodelandserialnumbersof

yourproductready.Figure1identiesthelocationofthe

modelandserialnumbersontheproduct.

g185958

Figure1

1.Modelandserialnumberplate

Writetheproductmodelandserialnumbersinthespace

below:

ModelNo.

SerialNo.

Thismanualidentiespotentialhazardsandhassafety

messagesidentiedbythesafety-alertsymbol(Figure2),

whichsignalsahazardthatmaycauseseriousinjuryordeath

ifyoudonotfollowtherecommendedprecautions.

g000502

Figure2

1.Safety-alertsymbol

Thismanualuses2wordstohighlightinformation.

Importantcallsattentiontospecialmechanicalinformation

andNoteemphasizesgeneralinformationworthyofspecial

attention.

ThisproductcomplieswithallrelevantEuropeandirectives.

Fordetails,pleaseseetheseparateproductspecic

DeclarationofConformity(DOC)sheet.

WARNING

CALIFORNIA

Proposition65Warning

Thisproductcontainsachemicalorchemicals

knowntotheStateofCaliforniatocausecancer,

birthdefects,orreproductiveharm.

Theengineexhaustfromthisproduct

containschemicalsknowntotheStateof

Californiatocausecancer,birthdefects,

orotherreproductiveharm.

ItisaviolationofCaliforniaPublicResourceCode

Section4442or4443touseoroperatetheengineonany

forest-covered,brush-covered,orgrass-coveredlandunless

theengineisequippedwithasparkarrester,asdenedin

Section4442,maintainedineffectiveworkingorderorthe

engineisconstructed,equipped,andmaintainedforthe

preventionofre.

ThissparkignitionsystemcomplieswithCanadianICES-002.

Theenclosed

Engine Owner's Man ual

issuppliedfor

informationregardingtheUSEnvironmentalProtection

Agency(EPA)andtheCaliforniaEmissionControl

Regulationofemissionsystems,maintenance,and

warranty.Replacementsmaybeorderedthroughthe

enginemanufacturer.

NetTorque:Thegrossornettorqueofthisenginewas

laboratoryratedbytheenginemanufacturerinaccordance

8111LyndaleAvenueSouth

Bloomington,MN55420

Registeratwww.Toro.com.

OriginalInstructions(EN)

PrintedintheUSA

AllRightsReserved

*3408-418*B

Summary of content (24 pages)

PAGE 1
Form No. 3408-418 Rev B 55cm Recycler® Lawn Mower with SmartStow® Model No. 20961—Serial No. 400000000 and Up Operator's Manual Introduction which signals a hazard that may cause serious injury or death if you do not follow the recommended precautions. This rotary-blade, walk-behind lawn mower is intended to be used by residential homeowners. It is designed primarily for cutting grass on well-maintained lawns on residential properties. It is not designed for cutting brush or for agricultural uses.
PAGE 2
Safety with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1940. As configured to meet safety, emission, and operating requirements, the actual engine torque on this class of mower will be significantly lower. Go to www.Toro.com to view specifications on your mower model. This machine has been designed in accordance with EN ISO 5395:2013. General Safety Contents This product is capable of amputating hands and feet and of throwing objects.
PAGE 3
Safety and Instructional Decals Safety decals and instructions are easily visible to the operator and are located near any area of potential danger. Replace any decal that is damaged or missing. decaloemmarkt Manufacturer's Mark 1. Indicates the blade is identified as a part from the original machine manufacturer. decal112-8760 112-8760 1. Thrown object hazard—keep bystanders a safe distance away from the machine. decal125-5026 2. Cutting/dismemberment of hand or foot—stay away from moving parts.
PAGE 4
Setup Important: Remove and discard the protective plastic sheet that covers the engine and any other plastic or wrapping on the machine. 1 Unfolding the Handle No Parts Required Procedure WARNING Unfolding the handle improperly can damage the cables, causing an unsafe operating condition. • Do not damage the cable(s) when folding or unfolding the handle. decal132-4470 • Ensure that the cable(s) are routed to the outside of the handle.
PAGE 5
2 Installing the Recoil-starter Rope in the Rope Guide No Parts Required Procedure Important: To start the engine safely and easily whenever you use the machine, install the recoil-starter rope in the rope guide. Hold the blade-control bar to the upper handle and pull the recoil-starter rope through the rope guide on the handle (Figure 5). g188439 Figure 3 1. Handle lock engaged position 2. Handle lock disengaged positions 3.
PAGE 6
4 Assembling the Grass Bag No Parts Required Procedure 1. Slip the grass bag over the frame as shown in Figure 7. 1 g201460 Figure 6 1. Full 2. High 3. Low 3. Carefully pour about 3/4 of the engine capacity of oil into the oil-fill tube. g027257 4. Wait about 3 minutes for the oil to settle in the engine. 5. Wipe the dipstick clean with a clean cloth. 6. Insert the dipstick into the oil-fill tube, then remove the dipstick. 2 3 g027257 Figure 7 7. Read the oil level on the dipstick (Figure 6). 1.
PAGE 7
Product Overview g198722 Figure 9 1. Handle g027258 g027258 9. Cutting-height lever (4) 2. Self-propel bar Figure 8 3. Hook the top and side channels of the bag onto the top and sides of the frame, respectively (Figure 8). 10. Spark plug 3. Blade-control bar 11. Side-discharge door 4. Adjustment knob for the self-propel drive 12. Oil-fill tube/dipstick 5. Rear door (not shown) 13. Bag-on-demand lever 6. Washout port (not shown) 14. Handle lock (2) 7. Fuel-tank cap 15. Recoil-start handle 8.
PAGE 8
Specifications Model 20961 Weight Length 35 kg (77 lb) WARNING Width 152 cm (60 in) 58 cm (23 in) Fuel is harmful or fatal if swallowed. Long-term exposure to vapors can cause serious injury and illness. Height 104 cm (41 in) • Avoid prolonged breathing of vapors. • Keep your hands and face away from the nozzle and the fuel-tank opening. Operation • Keep fuel away from your eyes and skin.
PAGE 9
Checking the Engine-Oil Level Adjusting the Cutting Height Service Interval: Before each use or daily CAUTION 1. Move the machine to a level surface. If the engine has been running, the muffler will be hot and can severely burn you. 2. Remove the dipstick by rotating the cap counterclockwise and pulling it out (Figure 11). Keep away from the hot muffler. Adjust the cutting height as desired. Set all the cutting-height levers to the same height. To raise and lower the machine, refer to Figure 13.
PAGE 10
Starting the Engine • When you release the blade-control bar, the engine should shut off and the blade should stop within 3 seconds. If not, stop using your machine immediately and contact an Authorized Service Dealer. 1. Hold the blade-control bar against the handle (Figure 14). • Operate the machine only in good visibility and appropriate weather conditions. Do not operate the machine when there is the risk of lightning. • Wet grass or leaves can cause serious injury if you slip and contact the blade.
PAGE 11
Using the Self-Propel Drive bag-on-demand lever is in the recycling position, move it to the bagging position; refer to Operating the Bag-on-Demand Lever (page 11). To operate the self-propel drive, simply walk with your hands on the upper handle and your elbows at your sides, and the machine will automatically keep pace with you (Figure 16). Installing the Grass Bag 1. Raise and hold up the rear door (Figure 17).
PAGE 12
Installing the Side-Discharge Chute Lift up the side door and install the side-discharge chute (Figure 20). g198723 Figure 18 1. Bag-on-demand lever (in the bagging position) • To recycle or side-discharge the grass and leaf clippings, press the button on the lever and move the lever rearward until the button on the lever pops up.
PAGE 13
2. Ensure that the cutting-height setting on the machine is 35 mm (1-3/8 inches) or higher; if it is not, raise it; refer to Adjusting the Cutting Height (page 9). DANGER Fuel is extremely flammable and explosive. A fire or explosion from gasoline can burn you and others. 3. Disengage the handle locks (Figure 22). • Storing the machine in the vertical position when there is too much gasoline in the fuel tank may cause fuel to leak from the fuel tank. Gasoline is extremely flammable and explosive.
PAGE 14
Operating Tips After Operation General Mowing Tips After Operating Safety • Inspect the area where you will use the machine and remove all objects that the machine could throw. General Safety • Avoid striking solid objects with the blade. Never • Clean grass and debris from the machine to help prevent deliberately mow over any object. fires. Clean up oil or fuel spills.
PAGE 15
Cleaning under the Machine in the Vertical-stow Position Cleaning under the Machine Service Interval: Before each use or daily 1. Set the machine in the vertical-stow position; refer to Storing the Machine in the Vertical-Stow Position (page 12). Cleaning under the Machine Using the Washout Port 2. Wash out the clippings from under the machine. For best results, clean the machine soon after you have completed mowing. Folding the Handle 1. Move the machine onto a flat paved surface. WARNING 2.
PAGE 16
Maintenance Note: Determine the left and right sides of the machine from the normal operating position. Important: Refer to your engine manual for additional maintenance procedures. Recommended Maintenance Schedule(s) Maintenance Service Interval Maintenance Procedure Before each use or daily • Check the engine-oil level and add oil as needed. • Ensure that the engine stops within 3 seconds after releasing the blade-control bar. • Clean grass clippings and dirt from under the machine.
PAGE 17
Servicing the Air Filter Service Interval: Yearly 1. Unclip the top of the air-filter cover (Figure 27). g201460 Figure 28 1. Full 2. High 3. Low 4. Tip the machine onto its side (so that the air filter is up) to drain the used oil from the oil-fill tube (Figure 29) or set the machine in the vertical-stow position (Figure 30). g186256 Figure 27 1. Clip 2. Air-filter cover 3. Air filter 2. Remove the air filter (Figure 27). 3. Inspect the air filter.
PAGE 18
Replacing the Blade Service Interval: Yearly Important: You will need a torque wrench to install the blade properly. If you do not have a torque wrench or are uncomfortable performing this procedure, contact an Authorized Service Dealer. Examine the blade whenever you run out of fuel. If the blade is damaged or cracked, replace it immediately. If the blade edge is dull or nicked, have it sharpened and balanced, or replace it.
PAGE 19
Adjusting the Self-Propel Drive Whenever you install a new self-propel cable or if the self-propel drive is out of adjustment, adjust the self-propel drive. 1. Turn the adjustment knob counterclockwise to loosen the cable adjustment (Figure 33). g024443 Figure 32 g027231 Figure 33 Important: Position the curved ends of the blade to point toward the machine housing. 6. Use a torque wrench to tighten the blade bolt to 82 N∙m (60 ft-lb). 1. Handle (left side) 4.
PAGE 20
Storage Store the machine in a cool, clean, dry place. Preparing the Machine for Storage 1. On the last refueling of the year, add fuel stabilizer (such as Toro Premium Fuel Treatment) to the fuel. 2. Dispose of any unused fuel properly. Recycle it according to local codes, or use it in your automobile. Note: Old fuel in the fuel tank is the leading cause of hard starting. Do not store fuel without stabilizer more than 30 days, and do not store stabilized fuel more than 90 days. 3.
PAGE 21
Notes:
PAGE 22
Notes:
PAGE 23
European Privacy Notice The Information Toro Collects Toro Warranty Company (Toro) respects your privacy. In order to process your warranty claim and contact you in the event of a product recall, we ask you to share certain personal information with us, either directly or through your local Toro company or dealer. The Toro warranty system is hosted on servers located within the United States where privacy law may not provide the same protection as applies in your country.
PAGE 24
Residential Products The Toro Warranty and The Toro GTS Starting Guarantee Conditions and Products Covered The Toro Company and its affiliate, Toro Warranty Company, pursuant to an agreement between them, jointly promise to repair for the original purchaser1 the Toro Product listed below if defective in materials or workmanship or if the Toro GTS (Guaranteed to Start) engine will not start on the first or second pull, provided the routine maintenance required in the Operator's Manual have been performed.