Black & Decker MM575 User Manual

KEY INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Lifetime 3 in 1 deck-Mulching, Discharging and Bagging (bag optional).

• Do not operate mower unless handle is locked into position.

• Ensure shroud hole covers are properly installed.

• For best cutting results, keep blade sharpened and balanced.

• Inspect and thoroughly clean your mower after each use (a deck with caked grass will degrade performance).

• Make sure mowing area is clear of other persons or pets prior to starting and during operation.

SAVE THIS MANUAL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

Cat No. MM575 Form No. 90512518 NOV. ‘06

18” (46cm) MULCHING MOWER

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

MM575

SAFETY GUIDELINES - DEFINITIONS

It is important for you to read and understand this manual. The information it contains relates to protecting YOUR SAFETY and PREVENTING PROBLEMS. The symbols below are used to help you recognize this information.

DANGER: Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not

avoided, will result in death or serious injury.

WARNING: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if

not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not

avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.

CAUTION: Used without the safety alert symbol indicates potentially

hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in property damage.

WARNING: IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNINGS AND

INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING:

When using electric gardening appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce risk of fire, electric shock, and personal injury, including the following.

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS

TO REDUCE RISK OF INJURY:

• Before any use, be sure everyone using this tool reads and

understands all safety instructions and other information contained in this manual.

• Save these instructions and review frequently prior to use and in

instructing others.

DANGER IMPORTANT SAFE PRACTICES FOR

WALK-BEHIND MOWERS

This lawn mower is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

GENERAL OPERATION

1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the mower and in

the instruction manual before starting.

2. Do not put hands or feet near or under the mower. Keep clear of

the discharge opening at all times.

3. Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar with the

instructions, to operate this mower.

4. Clear the area where the mower is to be used of objects such as

rocks, sticks, wire, toys, bones, etc., which could be thrown by the blade. Objects struck by the blade can cause severe injury to persons. Stay behind the handle when the motor is running.

BEFORE RETURNING THIS PRODUCT

FOR ANY REASON PLEASE CALL

1-800-544-6986

BEFORE YOU CALL, HAVE THE CATALOG No. AND DATE CODE

AVAILABLE. IN MOST CASES, A BLACK & DECKER REPRESENTATIVE

CAN RESOLVE THE PROBLEM OVER THE PHONE. IF YOU HAVE A

SUGGESTION OR COMMENT, GIVE US ACALL. YOUR FEEDBACK IS

VITALTO BLACK & DECKER.

HANK

YOU

FOR

CHOOSING

LACK

&&D

ECKER

! G

OOTTO

WWW

LACKAND

ECKER

COM

WNER

TTOOREGISTER

YOUR

NEW

PRODUCT

5. Be sure the area surrounding the mower is clear of bystanders before operating. All bystanders and pets should be kept at a safe distance. Stop the mower if anyone enters the area surrounding the mower.

6. Do not operate mower barefooted or while wearing sandals. Always wear substantial footwear.

7. Do not pull mower backward unless absolutely necessary. Always look down and behind before and while moving backward.

8. Never direct discharged material toward anyone. Avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction. Material may ricochet back toward the operator. Release switch lever to turn mower off and stop the blade when crossing gravel surfaces or when flipping the handle.

9. Do not operate mower without the entire grass catcher, discharge guard, rear guard, or other safety protective devices in place and working. Periodically check all guards and safety protective devices to ensure they are in good working order and will operate properly and perform their intended function. Replace a damaged guard or other safety device before further use.

10. Never leave a running mower unattended.

11. Always release the switch lever to stop the motor and wait until the blade comes to a complete stop and unplug the mower before cleaning the mower, removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge guard, when leaving the mower, or before making any adjustments, repairs or inspections.

12. Operate mower only in daylight or good artificial light when objects in the path of the blade are clearly visible from the operating area of the mower.

13. Do not operate mower while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or when you are tired or ill. Always stay alert, watch what you are doing, and use common sense.

14. Avoid dangerous environments. Never operate mower in damp or wet grass, never use mower in the rain. Always be sure of your footing; walk; never run.

15. Disengage the drive system, if so equipped, before starting the motor.

16. If the mower should start to vibrate abnormally, release the switch lever, wait for the blade to stop and unplug the mower, then check for the cause immediately. Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.

17. Always wear proper eye and respiratory protection when operating the mower.

18. The use of any accessory or attachment not recommended for use with this mower could be hazardous. Only use accessories approved by Black & Decker.

19. Never overreach while operating the mower. Always be sure to keep proper footing and balance at all times while operating the mower.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents, which can result in severe injury. Operation on all slopes requires extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it.

1. Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.

2. Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects. Uneven terrain could cause a slip and fall accident. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

3. Do not mow on wet grass or excessively steep slopes. Poor footing could cause a slip and fall accident.

4. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments. You could lose your footing or balance.

CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the mower and the mowing activity. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.

1. Keep children out of the mowing area and under the watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator.

2. Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the area.

3. Never allow children to operate the mower.

4. Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may block your view of a child.

GENERAL SERVICE

1. Never operate mower in a closed area.

2. Keep all nuts and bolts tight to be sure the equipment is in safe working condition.

3. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.

4. Keep mower free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Allow mower to cool before storing.

5. If you strike a foreign object, release switch lever to turn mower off wait for the blade to stop and unplug the mower and then inspect the mower. Repair, any damage, before starting and operating the mower.

6. Never make any adjustments or repairs with the motor running or while the mower is plugged in.

7. Always unplug electric mowers before adjusting, cleaning, repairing, inspecting, transporting, storing or leaving the mower.

8. Check grass catcher components and the discharge guard frequently and when necessary replace with Black & Decker recommended parts only.

9. Mower blades are sharp. Wrap the blade or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.

10. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as necessary.

WARNING: GENERAL SAFETY WARNINGS AND

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL TOOLS

• THIS TOOL CAN BE DANGEROUS. Follow all warnings and Safety

Instructions in this manual. The operator is responsible for following warnings and instructions in this manual and on unit. Restrict use of this mower to persons who read, understand and follow warnings and instructions in this manual and on unit.

• STORE IDLE MOWER INDOORS. Mowers should be stored indoors

in dry, secured area – out of reach of children.

• DON’T FORCE MOWER. It will do the job better and with less

likelihood of a risk of injury at the rate for which it was designed.

• USE RIGHT APPLIANCE. Do not use the mower for any job except

that for which it is intended.

• DRESS PROPERLY. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. They can

be caught in moving parts. Rubber gloves, long pants and substantial, non-skid footwear are recommended when working outdoors.

• USE SAFETY GLASSES AND OTHER SAFETY EQUIPMENT. Use

safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields, complying with applicable safety standards and, when needed, a face shield. Also use face or dust mask if operation is dusty. This applies to all persons in the work area. Also use a hard hat, hearing protection, gloves, safety shoes and dust collection systems when specified or required. Safety glasses or the like are available at extra cost at your local dealer or Black & Decker Service Center.

• DON’T ABUSE CORD. Never carry mower by cord or yank it to

disconnect from receptacle. Keep cord away from heat, oil, and sharp edges.

• MAINTAIN MOWER WITH CARE. Keep cutting edge clean and sharp

for best performance and to reduce the risk of injury. Follow instructions for lubricating and changing accessories. Inspect mower cord periodically and if damaged, have it repaired by authorized service facility. Inspect extension cords periodically and replace if damaged. Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil and grease.

• AVOID UNINTENTIONAL STARTING. Don’t carry plugged-in mower

with finger on switch. Be sure switch is off when plugging in.

• BEFORE USING, always visually inspect to see that the blade, blade

fasteners and cutter assembly are not worn or damaged. Replace worn or damaged blades and fasteners in sets to preserve balance. Inspect the mower cord - ensure it is in good condition. Cord insulation must be intact with no cracks or deterioration.

• TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, this mower has

polarized plug blades (one blade is wider than the other) and will require the use of a polarized extension cord. The mower plug will fit into a polarized extension cord only one way. If the plug does not fit fully into the extension cord, reverse the plug. If the plug still does not fit, obtain a correct polarized extension cord. Apolarized extension cord will require the use of a polarized wall outlet. The extension cord plug will fit into the polarized wall outlet only one way. If the extension cord plug does not fit fully into the wall outlet, reverse the plug. If the extension cord plug still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician to install the proper wall outlet. Do not change the mower plug, extension cord receptacle, or extension cord plug in any way.

• EXTENSION CORDS. Make sure your extension cord is in good

condition. Cord insulation must be intact with no cracks or deterioration. Plug connectors must be undamaged. When using an extension cord, be sure to use one heavy enough to carry the current your product will draw. An undersized extension cord will cause a drop in line voltage resulting in loss of power and overheating, which can shorten the life of the motor. The table shows the correct size to use

• indicates the Mower is “DOUBLE INSULATED”

• OUTDOOR USE EXTENSION CORDS. To reduce the risk of electric shock, use only with an extension cord intended for outdoor use, such as an extension cord of type SW-A, SOW-A, STW-A, STOW-A, SJW-A, SJOW-A, SJTW-A, or SJTOW-A.

• GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER (GFCI) protection should be provided on the circuits or outlets to be used for the mower. Receptacles are available having built in GFCI protection and may be used for this measure of safety.

• CHECK FOR DAMAGED PARTS. Before further use of the mower, a guard or other part that is damaged should be carefully checked to determine that it will operate properly and perform its intended function. Check for alignment of moving parts, binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, mounting, and any other conditions that may affect their operation. Aguard or other part that is damaged should be properly repaired or replaced by an authorized service center unless otherwise indicated elsewhere in this manual.

• REPAIRS AND SERVICE. Repairs, maintenance and any adjustments not specified in this manual should be performed by Black & Decker authorized service centers or other qualified service organizations, always using identical replacement parts.

DANGER: ADDITIONAL WARNINGS FOR MOWERS

• ALWAYS firmly grip handle with both hands when operating mower.

• NEVER wear radio or music headphones while operating mower.

• CONTAIN long hair.

• NEVER attempt to make a wheel height adjustment while the motor is running or while the mower is plugged in.

• IF MOWER stalls, release switch lever to turn mower off, wait for blade to stop and unplug the cord before attempting to unclog the chute or remove anything from under the deck.

• KEEP HANDS and feet away from cutting area.

• KEEP BLADES sharp. Always use protective gloves when handling the mower blade.

• IF YOU are using a grass catcher, check it frequently for wear and deterioration. If excessively worn, replace with new bag for your safety.

• USE EXTREME CAUTION when reversing or pulling mower toward you.

WARNING: Some dust created by this product contains

chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:

• compounds in fertilizers

• compounds in insecticides, herbicides and pesticides

• arsenic and chromium from chemically treated lumber To reduce your exposure to these chemicals, wear approved safety equipment such as dust masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles.

WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including lead,

known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

depending on cord length and nameplate ampere rating. If in doubt, use the next heavier gage. The smaller the gage number, the heavier the cord.

Minimum Gage for Cord Sets

Volts Total Length of Cord in Feet

120V 0-25 26-50 51-100 101-150

(0-7,6m) (7,6-15,2m) (15,2-30,4m) (30,4-45,7m)

240V 0-50 51-100 101-200 201-300

(0-15,2m) (15,2-30,4m) (30,4-60,9m) (60,9-91,4m)

Ampere Rating

More Not more American Wire Gage Than Than 0-6 18 16 16 14 6 - 10 18 16 14 12 10 - 12 16 16 14 12 12 - 16 14 12 Not Recommended

REMOVING THE HANDLE (FIGURE 4)

1. UNPLUG TOOL, AND WAIT FOR BLADE TO COME TO A

COMPLETE STOP.

2. Brace the rear of the mower so that it cannot roll backward.

3. Push down on each shroud hole cover tab, and rotate each shroud hole cover out of the shroud. (Figure 4A)

4. Grasp the ends of the lower handle with both hands. Squeeze the two sides of the handle towards one another while pulling back on the handle. (Figure 4B)

WARNING: NEVER use a sharp object to move jacketed wires out

of the way.

MULCHING

The mower is designed to mulch or discharge the grass depending on whether mulch door is closed (mulching) or the mulch door is up and the discharge chute is in place (discharging). No further assembly steps are required if you are mulching. PROCEED TO OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS.

DISCHARGE CHUTE INSTALLATION (FIGURE 5) (If you wish to discharge the clippings rather than mulch, perform these steps)

1. UNPLUG TOOL, AND WAIT FOR BLADE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP.

2. Open mulch door by pulling on the mulch door finger grip. (Figure 5A)

3. Align the discharge chute arrows with the positioning arrows on the mower deck and insert the discharge chute as shown.

4. Position the chute until the chute hooks are trapped under the deck hooks and release the chute and door. (Figure 5B)

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

NOTE: A mower is a major appliance and should not be

operated simultaneously with other major appliances on the same house circuit.

Warning: Make sure that other persons and pets are at least 100

feet away.

Remove all rocks, sticks, wire, toys, bones, and other debris or items which might be thrown by the rotating blades.

ATTACHING EXTENSION CORD TO MOWER (FIGURE 6)

DO NOT connect the extension cord to power source until you have

finished reading this manual and you are ready to start mowing.

1. The extension cord must be polarized and will only plug in one way, orient the wide slot with the wide blade in the switch housing.

2. Loop the extension cord and push the loop up through the hole in the switch housing.

3. Pull the extension cord on the side of the loop that is plugged into

INSPECT CUTTING AREA

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

BEFORE ASSEMBLING YOUR MOWER, CHECK THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING IN THE SHIPPING CARTON. SEE FIGURE 1.

A. Mower D. Discharge Chute B. Upper Handle E. Plastic Bag with handle bolt, 2 wing nuts, C. Lower Handle 2 star washers, cable tie and 2 shroud hole covers

ASSEMBLING THE HANDLE (FIGURE 2)

1. Your mower carton contains the mower, 2 handles, discharge chute and 1 plastic parts bag.

2. Fasten the upper and lower handle halves together using the eye bolt (already installed on the power cord) and the bolt and wing nuts from the plastic bag.

Make sure the power cord and switch are on the same side of the mower as the discharge area. There are three holes on the

upper handle, this allows the handle height to be set in three positions. Choose the hole that best suits your overall height. The eye bolt is installed so that the cord is routed to the outside.

Place star washers on the bolts between handle and the wing nuts. Tighten the wing nuts securely.

ATTACHING THE HANDLE (FIGURE 3)

1. UNPLUG TOOL, AND WAIT FOR BLADE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP.

2. Brace the front end of the mower so that it cannot roll forward.

3. If shroud hole covers are joined, remove connector and discard it. Slide each shroud hole cover retaining loop over an end of the handle. Ensure that the arrows on the shroud hole covers are pointing towards each other when installed. (Figure 3A)

4. Align the ends of the lower handle with the holes in the mower shroud. (Figure 3B)

5. Push the handles into the mower until they are fully engaged taking care not to pinch or damage the power cord.

6. Pull back on the handles to ensure a secure fit.

7. Install shroud hole covers by inserting the bottom edge of the shroud hole cover onto the bottom edge of the shroud hole, then rotate hole cover forward and push down until it is firmly snapped into position in the shroud. (Figure 3C)

8. Install cable tie on lower handle to secure cord. (Figure 5C)

the switch housing and remove all the slack in this section of the extension cord.

4. Place the loop over the strain relief tab on the switch housing and pull the extension cord so the loop draws down around the strain relief tab as shown in the detail. Double check to see that you did not loosen the extension cord.

SWITCH USE (FIGURE 7)

Your mower is equipped with a special switch. To operate the switch, insert your finger into the opening (Figure 7) and push the lever out so that you can grasp it with your other hand. Pull the lever back to turn the unit on and hold it against the mower handle to keep it running. To turn the mower off, just release the lever. The spring loaded "SNAP ACTION" lever will quickly turn the mower off.

WARNING: NEVER ATTEMPT TO OVERRIDE THE OPERATION

OF THIS SWITCH.

EXTENSION CORD TO ELECTRICAL OUTLET (FIGURE 8)

1. Place most of the extension cord close to the electrical outlet, out of the path of the mower. Attach extension cord to mower.

2. Start in direction where extension cord side of mower is closest to the outlet. Begin mowing in the area closest to the outlet and mow in a back and forth manner. Note the cord is kept on cut portion of lawn and out of the path of the mower. (FIGURE 8)

3. Avoid mowing in circles as cord will be harder to manage.

NOTE: The cutting height range for your mower is 1” - 3-1/2”

25.4mm - 88.9mm WHEEL HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT (FIGURE 9)

1. BEFORE MAKING ANY ADJUSTMENTS, TURN OFF, WAIT FOR

BLADE TO STOP AND UNPLUG MOWER.

2. Your mower features the Black & Decker single lever wheel height adjust system. This system will adjust all four wheels at the same time. Mower adjusts from 1 to 3 1/2” (25.4mm - 88.9mm) with six increments.

3. Place your left hand on the height adjust handle and your right hand on the lower handle as shown in Figure 9.

4. Pull height adjust handle away from mower, and re-set in the desired height adjust position. (See recommended cutting height by grass type under OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS) Rotating the height adjust towards the front of the mower lowers the cutting height, and rotating towards the rear raises the cutting height.

MULCHING TIPS

In the mulching configuration your new mower is designed to re-cut the grass clippings into short lengths. These clippings, which are dispersed as you mow will biodegrade quickly and provide nutrients for the lawn.

• Set mower at highest cutting height when mowing in rough ground or

in tall weeds.

• Do not cut the lawn when it is wet. Wet grass tends to form clumps

with the mulching action. The best time to cut your lawn is in the afternoon.

• For best results, adjust the mower cutting height so that the mower

cuts off only the top third of the grass blades.

• If your lawn is overgrown it may be necessary to increase the cutting

height to reduce the pushing effect and prevent overloading the motor.

• For extremely heavy mulching make narrower cuts and mow slowly.

• Change your cutting pattern from week to week. Mow north to south

one week and east to west the next week. This will help prevent matting and graining of the lawn.

RECOMMENDED APPROXIMATE CUTTING HEIGHT

The cutting height should be higher in hot weather or shade , and lower for the last mow before winter.

CUTTING HEIGHT POSITIONS Position

Cut

1 (LOW) 1” (25.4mm) 2 1-1/2” (38.1mm) 3 2” (50.8mm) 4 2-1/2” (63.5mm) 5 3” (76.2mm) 6 (HIGH) 3-1/2” (88.9mm)

LOW

HIGH

COOL SEASON GRASSES

TYPE SHADE SUN

CREEPING BENT GRASS 1-1/3” 33.7mm 2/3” 16.7mm

VELVER BENT GRASS 1/4” 6.3mm 1/2” 12.7mm

ANNUAL BLUEGRASS 1/2” 12.7mm 1” 25.4mm

CANADA BLUEGRASS 3” 76.2mm 4” 101.6mm

KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS 2-1/2” 63.5mm 3” 76.2mm

ROUGH BLUEGRASS 1” 25.4mm 1-1/2” 38.1mm

SMOOTH BROMEGRASS 3” 76.2mm 4” 101.6mm

FINE RESUE 1-1/2” 38.1mm 2-1/2” 63.5mm

TALL FESCUE 2-1/2” 63.5mm 4” 101.6mm

ANNUAL RYEGRASS 2” 50.8mm 2-1/2” 63.5mm

WARM SEASON GRASSES

TYPE SHADE SUN

BAHIA GRASS 2” 50.8mm 3” 76.2mm

BERMUDA GRASS 1/2” 12.7mm 1” 25.4mm

BUFFALO GRASS 1-1/2” 38.1mm 2-1/2” 63.5mm

CARPET GRASS 1” 25.4mm 2” 50.8mm

CENTIPEDE GRASS 1” 25.4mm 2” 50.8mm

ST. AUGUSTINE GRASS 2” 50.8mm 3” 76.2mm

ZOYSIA GRASS 1/2” 12.7mm 1” 25.4mm

From time to time turn the mower off and wait for the blade to stop. Then unplug the power cord and turn the mower on its side. Using an object such as a stick or rag, wipe out any accumulation of grass in the blade area. Also clean out any grass or debris which may be packed around the discharge/mulch door area. Be careful of the sharp edges of the blade.

REMOVING AND INSTALLING BLADE

(FIGURE 10,11,12)

1. RELEASE SWITCH LEVER TO TURN MOWER OFF, WAIT FOR

THE BLADE TO STOP, AND UNPLUG MOWER. THEN TURN THE MOWER OVER FOR ACCESS TO THE BLADE.

2. Use a piece of 2x4 wood (about 2 feet long) to keep blade from turning while removing flange nut.

3. Wear gloves and proper eye protection. Be careful of sharp edges of blade. Position wood and remove flange nut as shown in Figure 10.

4. Remove square metal blade spacer, square plastic blade insulator, and blade (Figure 11). Examine blade insulator for damage and replace if necessary.

5. When replacing sharpened or new blade on shoulder of fan, make sure the “GRASS SIDE” on the blade will be facing the ground when the mower is returned to its normal upright position. After installing blade, place blade insulator on blade such that the raised lips on one side engage the edges of the blade. Then install the blade spacer so that it sits inside the raised lips on the other side of the blade insulator. Be sure to align the flats in the hole of the blade spacer with the flats of the shaft, rotating the blade and blade insulator together as necessary. Position piece of wood to keep blade from turning (Figure 12). Install flange nut with the flange against the blade spacer and securely tighten.

Fig. 11 A. nut, B. spacer, C. insulator, D. blade

SHARPENING AND BALANCING THE BLADE:

(FIGURE 13,14)

1. BE SURE THE SWITCH LEVER IS RELEASED AND THE BLADE HAS STOPPED AND THE CORD UNPLUGGED BEFORE REMOVING THE BLADE.

2. At all times be careful of sharp edges of blade.

3. Remove blade from mower. See instructions for removing and installing blade.

4. Secure blade in a vise as shown in Figure 13.

5. Wear proper eye protection and be careful not to cut yourself.

6. Carefully file the cutting edges of the blade with a fine tooth file or sharpening stone, maintaining the original cutting angle.

7. Check balance of blade by placing center hole in blade over a nail or round shank screwdriver, clamped horizontally in a vise. If either end of the blade rotates down, file off additional material from that end. Blade is properly balanced when neither end drops. (Figure 14)

8. Replace blade on mower and tighten securely.

LUBRICATION:

No lubrication is necessary. Do not oil the wheels. They have plastic bearing surfaces which require no lubrication.

ACCESSORIES:

Recommended accessories for use with your tool are available from your local dealer or authorized service center. If you need assistance regarding accessories, please call: 1-800-544-6986.

WARNING: The use of any accessory not recommended for use

with this tool could be hazardous.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to unclog the blade chamber by dropping

or tapping the mower on the ground. This can damage the mower.

DISCHARGING

The mower is designed to disperse the clippings back to the lawn.

1. Discharging may be necessary if the grass fills the optional bag too quickly.

2. Clippings may be further dispersed, if needed, by blowing them with a yard blower.

3. In heavy grass conditions, a narrower pass may be required

OPTIONAL GRASS BAG (AVAILABLE AS AN OPTION AT EXTRA COST)

It is recommended to bag the clippings for the first few spring mowings and the last mowing of the season to discourage diseases.

1. Bagging the clipping is sometimes preferred to reduce tracking of clippings into pools, hot tubs, and homes.

2. Clippings can be added to your compost bin and used later for a natural fertilizer.

CLEANING AND STORAGE

DANGER: Be sure the mower is unplugged and the blade has

stopped.

Remove and clean any debris from the outside of the mower and inside of guard before storage. Store under cover. See MAINTENANCE section. Cleaning out the underside of the mower is done easiest immediately after mowing (ENSURE MOWER IS UNPLUGGED AND BLADE HAS STOPPED). Arag, crumpled newspaper or paper towels, can be used to wipe out caked clippings. Be careful of sharp edges of blade. A clean mowing deck improves the efficiency of the blade and maintains high performance. When cleaning, DO NOT immerse mower in water or squirt it with a hose or pressure washer. Use only mild soap and damp cloth to clean the mower. Never let any liquid get inside the mower; never immerse any part of the mower into a liquid.

NOTE: Do not store the mower on or adjacent to fertilizers or chemicals. Such storage can cause rapid corrosion to metal parts.

PREVENTING CORROSION

Fertilizers and other garden chemicals contain agents that greatly accelerate the corrosion of metals. If you use the mower in areas where fertilizers or chemicals have been used, the mower should be cleaned immediately afterwards. Wipe all exposed parts with a damp cloth. You may lubricate only metal parts with a light petroleum based oil. Do not lubricate wheels.

MAINTENANCE

Before each mowing session unplug the mower and ensure that the blade has stopped. Check all nuts, bolts and screws to ensure proper tightness, Be sure to check the blade fastening system. IMPORTANT: To assure product SAFETY and RELIABILITY, repairs, maintenance and adjustment should be performed by authorized service centers or other qualified service organizations. Use only identical replacement parts. Inspect and thoroughly clean your mower at the beginning of each mowing season for longer life and better performance.

R E

P L A

C E

I F

D A M

A G

E D

B C

Imported by

Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc.,

701 E. Joppa Rd.

Towson, MD 21286 U.S.A.

See ‘Tools-Electric’

– Yellow Pages –

for Service & Sales

TROUBLE SHOOTING/CORRECTIVE ACTION GUIDE:

PROBLEM CORRECTIVE ACTION

-Motor will not start - Check fuse or circuit breaker to ensure power is to outlet

- Check extension cord with another

electrical device to ensure cord is good.

- Call customer service representative 1-800-544-6986

-Motor keeps slowing - The underside of the mower may be

down plugged with clippings. Turn mower off, wait

for blade to stop and UNPLUG mower and clean out.

- Grass may be too tall, try pushing at a slower pace, or raise cutting height.

- Check blade sharpness and balance, and correct if required.

- If mulching, there is too much grass. Turn mower off, wait for blade to stop and UNPLUG mower and attach discharge chute to disperse grass

-Runs but poor cut - The blade may be dull. Turn mower off,

results wait for blade to stop and UNPLUG mower

and carefully check for sharpness.

- Blade may be damaged (bent or badly chipped). Turn mower off, wait for blade to stop and UNPLUG mower and replace if necessary.

- Grass may be too high or thick for cutting height. Turn mower off, wait for blade to stop and UNPLUG mower and raise cutting height.

-Excess vibration - Blade may be loose. Turn mower off, wait for blade to stop and UNPLUG mower then check blade for tightness.

- Blade may be bent or badly chipped. Turn mower off, wait for blade to stop and UNPLUG mower and replace if necessary.

- Blade may be unbalanced. Refer to blade balancing section of instruction manual.

-Mower is hard to push - Mower is too close to the ground with the amount of grass being cut. Turn mower off, wait for blade to stop and UNPLUG mower and raise cutting height.

- Turn mower off, wait for blade to stop and UNPLUG mower and check wheels and axles to ensure all are rotating easily.

-Mower leaves clumps - Turn mower off, wait for blade to stop and

of grass UNPLUG mower and raise cutting height.

- If mulching, there is too much grass. Turn mower off, wait for blade to stop and UNPLUG mower and attach discharge chute to disperse grass

- Turn mower off, wait for blade to stop and UNPLUG mower and carefully check blade for sharpness.

- Grass may be too wet to cut. Wait for grass to dry.

-Discharge/Bag plugging - Grass may be too wet, try again when

grass is dry.

- There is too much grass. Turn mower off, wait for blade to stop and UNPLUG mower and raise cutting height.

HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL HINTS TO GET THE MOST FROM YOUR BLACK & DECKER MOWER...AND KEEP YOUR LAWN LOOKING BEAUTIFUL

1. Lawns should first be mowed in the spring when the grass is about 2 1/2 to 3 inches high. Mowing too early restricts the grass root systems which renew themselves every spring. New grass should be clipped when it is about 2 1/2 inches high.

2. Do not remove too much grass blade surface at one time...never more than 1/3 of the leaf height during each cutting. Cutting too close “shocks” sensitive grass blades, resulting in a shallow root system and thus making it more difficult for your lawn to reach water in the soil.

3. Lawn care experts say that excessively close cutting is responsible for much of the difficulty experienced on many lawns. The depth and strength of the roots of grass are almost exactly proportional to its growth. Grasses of mature lawns often are seriously injured when mowed shorter than 1 1/2 inches, and a height of 1 1/2 to 2 inches is preferred on large lawns.

4. Mow your lawn when it is dry to avoid clumping of wet grass. If you have a choice, late afternoon is the ideal time for mowing, not only because the grass is dry, but also because the sensitive new

cut area of the grass will not be exposed to intense sunlight.

5. Keep the mowing blade sharp for a nice clean cut. This improves the mower’s performance and enhances the look of your lawn. A dull blade shatters and bruises the tips of the grass. This impairs the healthy growth of your lawn and increases susceptibility to turf diseases. If the grass tips are bruised it causes a brownish colour and gives your lawn an unhealthy appearance. A dull blade may also pull up young seedlings.

6. Try to mow your lawn at the same (consistent) cutting height. While there are times when you should vary the cutting height with the changing seasons, a consistent cutting height produces a healthier, lovelier lawn with generally fewer weeds. Mow more frequently during periods of fast growth. Frequent cutting ensures that the lower, less attractive portion of the grass will not show.

7. If your lawn has grown too long, (a vacation, for example, may interrupt your cutting schedule) mow at a cutting height one or two positions higher than normal. A second pass at “normal” cutting height a few days later will put your lawn back on schedule. Changing the cutting height is a simple matter with Black & Decker’s One Touch Wheel Height Adjustment, which simultaneously adjusts all four wheels at once.

8. During the spring and fall, (or after an interruption to the cutting schedule) the grass will be longer and thicker. If the motor continually slows down while cutting, try setting the wheels for a higher cutting height. Excessive motor loading can result in uneven cutting, quicker discharge of the battery, and can cause the circuit breaker to trip, which stops the motor.

9. Three good ideas to enhance your lawn’s appearance: Vary the mowing direction frequently; mow horizontally on hillsides; (this is also a good safety practice) and do not forget to overlap the mowing path on each pass.

10. Always mow grass so that clippings are discharged onto cut lawn. This will keep your lawn looking fresh by avoiding “Cut Grass” build-up which will eventually brown and appear ugly.

SERVICE INFORMATION

All Black & Decker Service Centers are staffed with trained personnel to provide customers with efficient and reliable power tool service. Whether you need technical advice, repair, or genuine factory replacement parts, contact the Black & Decker location nearest you. To find your local service location, refer to the yellow page directory under "Tools—Electric" or call: 1-800-544-6986 or visit

www.blackanddecker.com

FULL TWO-YEAR HOME USE WARRANTY

Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc. warrants this product for two years against any defects in material or workmanship. The defective product will be replaced or repaired at no charge in either of two ways. The first, which will result in exchanges only, is to return the product to the retailer from whom it was purchased (provided that the store is a participating retailer). Returns should be made within the time period of the retailer’s policy for exchanges (usually 30 to 90 days after the sale). Proof of purchase may be required. Please check with the retailer for their specific return policy regarding returns that are beyond the time set for exchanges. The second option is to take or send the product (prepaid) to a Black & Decker owned or authorized Service Center for repair or replacement at our option. Proof of purchase may be required. Black & Decker owned and authorized Service Centers are listed under "Tools-Electric" in the yellow pages of the phone directory. This warranty does not apply to accessories. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may have other rights which vary from state to state or province to province. Should you have any questions, contact the manager of your nearest Black & Decker Service Center. This product is not intended for commercial use. FREE WARNING LABEL REPLACEMENT: If your warning labels become illegible or are missing, call 1-800-544-6986 for a free replacement.

Deck Warranty

Lifetime Warranty for DECK only against any defects in material or workmanship. This product is not intended for commercial use.

+ 16 hidden pages