® Operator's Manual 21" Hi-Wheel Mower Models 546 & 549 Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, 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). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.
TABLEOFCONTENTS Content ImportantSafeOperationPractices SlopeGauge Assembling YourLawnMower KnowYourLawnMower Operating YourLawnMower MakingAdjustments Page 3 6 7 9 10 11 Content Maintaining Your Lawn Mower Servicing Your Lawn Mower Troubleshooting Illustrated Parts List Page 12 12 13 14 Warranty 16 FINDINGMODELNUMBER This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new lawn mower. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain the unit for best performance.
SECTION 1: 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.
immediately andthebladewillstoprotatingwithin 3. Do not mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could threeseconds. cause slipping. 9. Mowindaylightorgoodartificiallight;walk,notrun. 10.Stopthebladewhencrossinggraveldrives, Children walkwaysor roads. accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to 11.If theequipment shouldstarttovibrateabnormally, Tragic the presence of children. Children are often attracted to stoptheengineandcheckimmediately forthe the mower and the mowing activity. They do not cause.
10.Neveroverfillfueltank.FilltanktonomorethanV2 inch below bottom of filler neck to provide space for fuel expansion. 11. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely. 12. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment. Move unit to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting the engine. 13. Never store the machine or fuel container inside where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light as on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliances. 14.
E g >, 8. o '5 t- & o £o o ¢ 8 & o o O') O.. o S °° t-.+_ o o3 c o 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. If operating a walk-behind mower on such a slope, it is extremely difficult to maintain your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury. Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes.
SECTION3: ASSEMBLING YOURLAWNMOWER RemovingUnitFromCarton • • • • Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and open carton. Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.e., operator's manual, etc.) Cut along corners, lay the carton down flat, and remove all packing material. Roll or slide unit out of carton and check carton J Lower Handle Handle B Upper Handle thoroughly for loose parts.
Fastenthecabletothelowerhandlewiththetwo cabletiesfoundonthelowerhandle.Pullthecable tiestightandtrimofftheexcess.SeeFigure5. Cable Tie. __ Assembling GrassCatcher NOTE: /f the grass catcher came pre-assembled, proceed to the next section. If it came unassembled, follow the steps below to assemble it first, before attaching to the mower. Insert frame into grass bag with the black plastic side on the bottom of bag. See Figure 8.
IMPORTANT:Do not remove the mulching plug at any time, even when you are not mulching. Rear Discharge Door Mulching Figure 9 • To remove the grass catcher, lift the rear discharge door on the mower, lift the grass catcher up and off the pivot rod. Release the rear discharge door. AttachingSide-Discharge Chute • Remove the grass catcher and let the discharge door close. • Figure 10 UsingMulch Plug • Lift the mulch plug and remove the discharge chute up and away from the mower.
GrassCatcher grass catcher and the side-discharge chute from the mower, and operate with the mulching plug only for this purpose. 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. MulchingPlug Instead of collecting grass clippings in a grass catcher, this mower has the option of recirculating the clippings back to the lawn.
• For a healthy lawn, always cut off one-third or less of the total length of the grass. BaggingGrassClippings You can use the grass catcher bag to collect clippings while you are operating the mower. Mulching • For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass. New or thick grass may require a narrower cut. If the grass has grown in excess of 4", mulching is not recommended. Mow using the side discharge to reduce the grass height to 3.25" maximum before mulching.
SECTION7: MAINTAINING YOURLAWNMOWER • _ disconnect ARNING: the Always spark plug stopwire the before engine and performing any maintenance work or adjustments on your lawn mower. Lubrication BladeControl Handle CleaningMower • The underside of the mower deck should be cleaned after each use to prevent any build-up of grass clippings, leaves, dirt, or other debris. • _ • Lubricate the pivot points on the blade control handle at least once a season with light oil.
• Follow the original angle of grind as a guide. Make sure that each cutting edge receives an equal amount of grinding to prevent an unbalanced blade. _ excessive ARNING: vibration An unbalanced when rotating blade at high will cause speeds. It may cause damage to the mower, and could break causing personal injury. • Replace hex bolt and tighten hex bolt to torque: 450 in. Ibs. min, 600 in. Ibs. max. ReplacingRearFlap The blade can be tested by balancing it on a round shaft screwdriver.
SECTION 10: PARTSLIST FORMODELS546 & 549 Q Q Q Q @ 14
PARTSLISTFORMODELS546 & 549 Ref. No. 1. Part No. 747-1161A Ref. No. Part Description 33. Control Handle Part No. Part Description 687-02074 Front Height Adjuster Assembly -- RH 687-02075 Front Height Adjuster Assembly -- LH Pivot Arm Assembly -- RH 2. 749-1092A Upper Handle 3. 4. 747-04080 749-0928A Grass Bag Frame Lower Handle 34. 687-02039 687-02040 5. 720-0279 Wing Nut 35. 782-5002B Pivot Arm Assembly -- LH Front Baffle 6. 710-1205 Rope Guide 36.
MANUFACTURER'S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: ® The limited warranty set forth below is given by Troy-Bilt LLC with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States, its possessions and territories. "Troy-Bilt" warrants this product against defects in material and 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 materials or workmanship.
