Form No. 3388-242 Rev A TimeCutter® SS 4250 Riding Mower Model No. 74723—Serial No. 315000001 and Up Register at www.Toro.com.
Introduction WARNING CALIFORNIA Proposition 65 Warning This product contains a chemical or chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. This machine is a ride-on, rotary-blade lawnmower intended to be used by homeowners in residential applications.
Mower Maintenance ...................................................36 Servicing the Cutting Blades.....................................36 Leveling the Mower Deck ........................................39 Removing the Mower..............................................40 Mower Belt Maintenance.........................................41 Installing the Mower ...............................................41 Replacing the Grass Deflector ..................................42 Cleaning .........................
Safety • Turn off blades when not mowing. Stop the engine, wait To reduce the potential for injury, comply with these safety instructions and always pay attention to the safety alert symbol, which means CAUTION, WARNING, or DANGER-"personal safety instruction." Failure to comply with the instruction may result in personal injury or death.
Service • Always avoid sudden starting or stopping on a slope. If • • • • tires lose traction, stop the machine, disengage the blades and proceed slowly off the slope. Use extreme care with grass catchers or other attachments. These can change the stability of the machine and cause loss of control. Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, steep banks or water.
• Maintain or replace safety and instruction decals as necessary. • Use only genuine Toro replacement parts to ensure that original standards are maintained. Toro Riding Mower Safety The following list contains safety information specific to Toro products or other safety information that you must know that may not be included in the ANSI standards.
Slope Indicator G011841 Figure 3 This page may be copied for personal use. 1. The maximum slope you can safely operate the machine on is 15 degrees. Use the slope chart to determine the degree of slope of hills before operating. Do not operate this machine on a slope greater than 15 degrees. Fold along the appropriate line to match the recommended slope. 2. Align this edge with a vertical surface, a tree, building, fence pole, etc. 3. Example of how to compare slope with folded edge.
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 lost. 93-7009 1. Warning—don't operate the mower with the deflector up or removed; keep the deflector in place. 2. Cutting/dismemberment hazard of hand or foot, mower blade—stay away from moving parts. 114-1606 105-7015 For Models with 42 Inch Decks 1. Entanglement hazard, belt—keep all guards in place.
119-8815 1. Parking position 4. Neutral 2. Fast 3. Slow 5. Reverse Battery Symbols Some or all of these symbols are on your battery 1. Explosion hazard 6. Keep bystanders a safe distance from the battery. 2. No fire, open flame, or smoking. 7. Wear eye protection; explosive gases can cause blindness and other injuries 3. Caustic liquid/chemical burn hazard 4. Wear eye protection 8. Battery acid can cause blindness or severe burns. 9. Flush eyes immediately with water and get medical help fast. 5.
131-1097 1. Oil drain 131–3947 1. Trim—slow 2. Tow—medium 3. Mow—fast 131-4036 1. Do not tow or pull weights 2. Read the Operator's greater than 36 kg (80 lbs). Manual.
120-2239 1. Warning—read the Operator's Manual. 5. Warning—do not use split ramps, use a full ramps when transporting machine. 2. Warning—read the instructions before servicing or performing maintenance; move the motion control levers to the park (brake) position, remove the ignition key and disconnect the spark plug wire. 6. Loss of traction/control hazard, slopes—loss of traction/control on a slope, disengage the blade control switch (PTO), proceed off the slope slowly. 3.
1-0772 1. Fast 2. Continuous variable setting 4. Choke 5. Power take-off (PTO), Blade control switch 3.
Product Overview g028161 Figure 4 1. Deflector 6. Operator seat 2. Rear drive wheel 7. Smart Speed™ lever 3. Control panel 8. Footrest 4. Motion control levers 5. Height of cut lever 9. Front caster wheel Figure 5 Control Panel Controls Become familiar with all of the controls in Figure 4 and Figure 5 before you start the engine and operate the machine. 1. Throttle 3. Blade control switch (power take-off) 2. Ignition switch 4.
Motion Control Levers and Park Position Height-of-Cut Lever The height of cut lever allows the operator to lower and raise the deck from the seated position. When the lever is moved up, toward the operator the deck is raised from the ground and when moved down, away from the operator it is lowered toward the ground. Only adjust the height of cut while machine is not moving (Figure 19). The motion control levers are speed sensitive controls of independent wheel motors.
Operation Note: Determine the left and right sides of the machine from the normal operating position. Think Safety First Operating Safety Please carefully read all of the safety instructions and decals in the safety section. Knowing this information could help you, your family, pets or bystanders avoid injury. DANGER Figure 9 Mowing on wet grass or steep slopes can cause sliding and loss of control. 1. Safe Zone-use the TimeCutter here 2.
Fuel Safety WARNING Gasoline is harmful or fatal if swallowed. Long-term exposure to vapors can cause serious injury and illness. DANGER In certain conditions, gasoline is extremely flammable and highly explosive. A fire or explosion from gasoline can burn you and others and can damage property. • Avoid prolonged breathing of vapors. • Keep face away from nozzle and gas tank or conditioner opening. • Fill the fuel tank outdoors, in an open area, when the engine is cold. Wipe up any gasoline that spills.
7. While sitting on the seat, move the blade-control switch to Off, and lock the motion-control levers in the park position. Add the correct amount of gas stabilizer/conditioner to the gas. Note: A fuel stabilizer/conditioner is most effective when mixed with fresh gasoline. To minimize the chance of varnish deposits in the fuel system, use fuel stabilizer at all times. 8. Start the engine. 9. While the engine is running, engage the blade-control switch, and rise slightly from the seat.
Starting the Engine Note: Always engage the blades with the throttle in the Fast position. Note: A warm or hot engine may not require choking. A B A Important: Do not engage the starter for more than 5 seconds at a time. Engaging the starter motor for more than 5 seconds can damage the starter motor. If the engine fails to start, wait 10 seconds before operating the engine starter again. B C C D g027582 Figure 13 Disengaging the Blades 1 E F G g027538 Figure 14 1.
Driving Using the Smart SpeedTM Control System Driving the machine benefits from an understanding of what zero-turn-radius mower means. The drive wheels turn independently, powered by hydraulic motors on each axle; hence one side can turn in reverse while the other turns forward causing the machine to spin rather than turn. This vastly improves the machine maneuverability but may require some adjustment if the operator is unfamiliar.
• Bagging Driving Backward • Mulching Note: Always use caution when backing up and turning. Mow 1. Move the levers to the center, unlocked position. This is the fastest speed. The suggested uses for this speed are as follows: 2. To go backward, look behind you and down, as you slowly pull the motion-control levers rearward (Figure 18). • Normal mowing • Transporting the machine Driving Forward 1. Move the levers to the center, unlocked position. 2.
Adjusting the Height-of-Cut • Upper hole—use this position with the mower deck Note: The transport position is the highest height-of-cut position or cutting height (115 mm (4.5 inches)) as shown in Figure 19. • Lower hole—use this position with the mower in the 63mm (2-1/2 inch) and below height-of-cut positions (Figure 20). deck in the 76mm (3 inch) and above height-of-cut positions (Figure 20). Height-of-cut is controlled by the lever located to the right of the operating position (Figure 19).
Adjusting the Motion Control Levers 5. Move the motion control levers inward to the neutral position and turn the ignition key to the run position. Do not start the machine. The machine is now able to be pushed by hand. Adjusting the Height 3 The motion control levers can be adjusted higher or lower for maximum operator comfort (Figure 22). A B 1 g027252 2 g017303 Figure 23 Figure 22 1. Bypass lever location 3. Lever position for pushing the machine 2.
DANGER Without the grass deflector, discharge cover, or complete grass catcher assembly mounted in place, you and others are exposed to blade contact and thrown debris. Contact with rotating mower blade(s) and thrown debris will cause injury or death. • Never remove the grass deflector from the mower because the grass deflector routes material down toward the turf. If the grass deflector is ever damaged, replace it immediately. Figure 24 Operating Tips • Never put your hands or feet under the mower.
Mow at Correct Intervals Normally, mow every four days. But remember, grass grows at different rates at different times. So to maintain the same cutting height, which is a good practice, mow more often in early spring. As the grass growth rate slows in mid summer, mow less frequently. If you cannot mow for an extended period, first mow at a high cutting height; then mow again two days later at a lower height setting.
Maintenance Note: Determine the left and right sides of the machine from the normal operating position. Recommended Maintenance Schedule(s) Maintenance Service Interval Maintenance Procedure After the first 5 hours • Change the engine oil. Before each use or daily • • • • • Check the safety-interlock system. Check the engine-oil level. Clean the air-intake screen. Check the cutting blades. Inspect the grass deflector for damage After each use • Clean the mower deck housing.
Premaintenance Procedures Lubrication Raising the Seat Service Interval: Every 25 hours—Grease all lubrication points. Make sure the motion control levers are locked in the park position. Lift the seat forward. Grease Type: No. 2 General Purpose Lithium Base Grease Greasing the Bearings 1. Park the machine on a level surface and disengage the blade control switch. The following components can be accessed by raising the seat: • Serial plate 2.
Engine Maintenance Servicing the Air Cleaner Note: Service the air cleaner more frequently (every few hours) if operating conditions are extremely dusty or sandy. g027802 Removing the Elements Figure 28 1. Park the machine on a level surface and disengage the blade-control switch (PTO). 2. Engage the parking brake, stop the engine, remove the key, and wait for all moving parts to stop before leaving the operating position.
Servicing the Engine Oil A B C D F G H I Oil Type: Detergent oil (API service SF, SG, SH, SJ, or SL) Crankcase Capacity: 2.0 L (67.6 oz) Viscosity: See the table below. E Figure 29 Checking the Engine-oil Level Service Interval: Before each use or daily Note: Check the oil when the engine is cold. J WARNING Contact with hot surfaces may cause personal injury. G027475 Figure 30 Keep hands, feet, face, clothing, and other body parts away the muffler and other hot surfaces.
4. Slowly pour approximately 80% of the specified oil into the filler tube and slowly add the additional oil to bring it to the Full mark (Figure 32). A B C D E F g027799 A C B D g027484 Figure 32 5. Install the drain hose as shown in Figure 33.
A Changing the Engine-Oil Filter B Service Interval: Every 100 hours/Yearly (whichever comes first)—Change the oil filter (more often in dusty, dirty conditions). Note: Change the engine-oil filter more frequently when operating conditions are extremely dusty or sandy. 1. Drain the oil from the engine; refer to Changing the Engine Oil (page 28). 2. Change the engine oil filter (Figure 34).
Servicing the Spark Plug Note: Ensure that the oil-filter gasket touches the engine and then an extra 3/4 turn is completed. Service Interval: Every 100 hours/Yearly (whichever comes first)—Check the spark plug(s). 3. Fill the crankcase with the proper type of new oil; refer to Servicing the Engine Oil (page 28). Every 200 hours/Every 2 years (whichever comes first)—Replace the spark plug(s). Make sure the air gap between the center and side electrodes is correct before installing the spark plug.
A Fuel System Maintenance B DANGER In certain conditions, gasoline is extremely flammable and highly explosive. A fire or explosion from gasoline can burn you and others and can damage property. g027479 Figure 36 • Perform any fuel related maintenance when the engine is cold. Do this outdoors in an open area. Wipe up any gasoline that spills. Installing the Spark Plug Tighten the spark plug(s) to 25–30 N-m (18.5–22.1 ft-lb).
Electrical System Maintenance WARNING g027939 CALIFORNIA Proposition 65 Warning Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. A B Charging the Battery WARNING CALIFORNIA Proposition 65 Warning Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
WARNING Incorrect battery cable routing could damage the machine and cables causing sparks. Sparks can cause the battery gasses to explode, resulting in personal injury. • Always disconnect the negative (black) battery cable before disconnecting the positive (red) cable. • Always connect the positive (red) battery cable before connecting the negative (black) cable. Figure 40 5. Slide the rubber cover up the positive (red) cable. Disconnect the positive (red) cable from the battery post (Figure 39).
Drive System Maintenance 30 Checking the Tire Pressure 25 Service Interval: Every 25 hours—Check tire pressure. 30 1 25 Maintain the air pressure in the front and rear tires as specified. Uneven tire pressure can cause uneven cut. Check the pressure at the valve stem (Figure 42). Check the tires when they are cold to get the most accurate pressure reading. 2 G014921 Refer to the maximum pressure suggested by the tire manufacturer on the sidewall of the caster wheel tires. Figure 41 1.
Mower Maintenance Servicing the Cutting Blades Maintain sharp blades throughout the cutting season, because sharp blades cut cleanly without tearing or shredding the grass blades. Tearing and shredding turns grass brown at the edges, which slows growth, and increases the chance of disease. Check the cutter blades daily for sharpness, and for any wear or damage. File down any nicks and sharpen the blades as necessary.
3. Measure from the tip of the blade to the flat surface (Figure 46). 1 Figure 44 1. Cutting edge 3. Wear/slot forming G014973 3 4. Damage 2. Curved area 2 Figure 46 Checking for Bent Blades 1. Blade (in position for measuring) Note: The machine must be on a level surface for the following procedure. 2. Level surface 3. Measured distance between blade and the surface (A) 1. Raise the mower deck to the highest height-of-cut position; also considered the 'transport' position. 4.
1 G014973 3 2 Figure 48 G027833 1. Opposite blade edge (in position for measuring) Figure 49 2. Level surface 3. Second measured distance between blade and surface (B) 1. Sail area of the blade 2. Blade A. If the difference between A and B is greater than 3 mm (1/8 inch), replace the blade with a new blade; refer to Removing the Blades (page 38) and Installing the Blades (page 38). Sharpening the Blades 1. Use a file to sharpen the cutting edge at both ends of the blade (Figure 50).
Important: The curved part of the blade must be pointing upward toward the inside of the mower to ensure proper cutting. 5. Measure between the outside cutting edges and the flat surface (Figure 52). If both measurements are not within 3/16 inch (5 mm), an adjustment is required; continue with this procedure. 2. Install the the curved washer (cupped side toward the blade) and the blade bolt (Figure 49). 6. Move to the left side of the machine. 3. Torque the blade bolt to 47 to 88 N-m (35 to 65 ft-lb).
Note: Check and adjust the side-to-side blade level if you have not checked the setting; refer to Side-to-Side Leveling. 9. When the front-to-rear blade slope is correct check the side-to-side level of the mower again; refer to Side-to-Side Leveling (page 39). 4. Carefully rotate the blades so they are facing front to rear (Figure 54). 2 Removing the Mower 1. Park the machine on a level surface and disengage the blade control switch. 1 2.
WARNING The spring is under tension when installed and can cause personal injury. Be careful when removing the belt. 2 2 2 3 5 1 3 1 4 G005077 Figure 57 1. Mower deck 2. Hanger bracket 3 3. Rear lift rod 6. Slide the mower deck rearward to remove the mower belt from the engine pulley. 4 7. Slide the mower deck out from underneath the machine. G014930 6 Note: Retain all parts for future installation. Figure 58 Mower Belt Maintenance 1. Idler pulley 4. Spring 2. Mower belt 5.
Replacing the Grass Deflector Important: The grass deflector must be spring loaded in the down position. Lift the deflector up to test that it snaps to the full down position. Service Interval: Before each use or daily—Inspect the grass deflector for damage WARNING An uncovered discharge opening could allow the lawn mower to throw objects in the operator's or bystander's direction and result in serious injury. Also, contact with the blade could occur.
Cleaning 7. Turn the water off and remove the coupling from the washout fitting. Note: If the mower is not clean after one washing, soak it and let it stand for 30 minutes. Then repeat the process. Washing the Underside of the Mower 8. Run the mower again for one to three minutes to remove excess water. Service Interval: After each use—Clean the mower deck housing. Important: You can wash the machine with mild detergent and water. Do not pressure wash the machine.
Storage 14. Check the condition of the drive and mower belts. 15. Check and tighten all bolts, nuts, and screws. Repair or replace any part that is worn or damaged. Cleaning and Storage 16. Paint all scratched or bare metal surfaces. Paint is available from your Authorized Service Dealer. 1. Disengage the blade control switch, move the motion controls outward to the park position, stop the engine, and remove the key. 17. Store the machine in a clean, dry garage or storage area.
Troubleshooting Problem Possible Cause The fuel tank is showing signs of collapsing or the machine is showing signs of frequently running out of fuel. 1. The air cleaner paper element clogged. 1. Clean the paper element. The engine overheats. 1. The engine load is excessive. 1. Reduce ground speed. 2. The oil level in the crankcase is low. 3. The cooling fins and air passages under the engine blower housing are plugged. 4. The air cleaner is dirty. 2. Add oil to the crankcase. 3.
Problem The machine does not drive. There is abnormal vibration. Uneven cutting height. Possible Cause 1. The bypass valves are open. 1. Close the tow valves. 2. The traction belts are worn, loose, or broken. 3. The traction belts are off of the pulleys. 4. The transmission has failed. 2. Contact an Authorized Service Dealer. 1. The engine mounting bolts are loose. 1. Tighten the engine mounting bolts. 2. The engine pulley, idler pulley, or blade pulley is loose. 3. The engine pulley is damaged. 4.
Schematics Electrical Diagram (Rev.
The Toro Total Coverage Warranty TimeCutter and TITAN Mowers Limited Warranty (see warranty periods below) Conditions and Products Covered Pages of your telephone directory (look under “Lawn Mowers”) or access our web site at www.Toro.com. You may also call the numbers listed in item #3 to use the 24-hour Toro Dealer locator system.
