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12A-446L163
Owner’s Manual
20 pgs1.29 Mb0

Bolens 446, 12A-446T163, 12A-446L163 Owner’s Manual

-8BO
Operator's M
nual
21" Rear-Discharge
Lawn Mower
Model 446
IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.
Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-
TROY-BILT LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAN D, OHIO 44136-0019
PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 769-00539A
(12/2002)
TABLEOFCONTENTS
Content Page
Important Safe Operation Practices ................................................................................... 3
Slope Gauge ...................................................................................................................... 6
Assembling Your Lawn Mower .......................................................................................... 7
Know Your Lawn Mower .................................................................................................... 10
Operating Your Lawn Mower ............................................................................................. 11
Maintaining Your Lawn Mower ........................................................................................... 12
Service .......................................................................................................................... 13
Making Adjustments .......................................................................................................... 15
Off- Season Storage .......................................................................................................... 16
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................. 17
Parts List .......................................................................................................................... 18
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. Please read and understand what it says.
Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the equipment and copy the information from itinthe space provided below. The information on
the model plate isvery important if you need help from our Customer Support Department or
an authorized dealer.
You can locate the model number by standing behind the unit in the operating position and looking down at the rear of the deck. A sample model plate is explained below. For future reference, please copy the model number and the serial number of the equipment in the space below.
(Model Number_
www.boJens.com 330-558-7220
• 866-840-6483
[Serial Number)
P. O. BOX 361131
TROY-BILT LLC
CLEVELAND,OH44136
Copy the model number here:
Copy the serial number here:
ENGINEINFORMATION
The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related issues with regards to performance, power- rating, specifications, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer's Owner's/Operator's
Manual packed separately with your unit for more information.
CALLINGCUSTOMERSUPPORT
If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or maintenance of this unit, please call the Customer Support Department.
Call 1-866-840-6483 or 1-330-558-7220 to reach a Customer Support representative. Please have your unit's model number and serial number ready when you call. See previous section to locate this information. You wilt be asked to enter the serial number in order to process your call.
SECTION1: IMPORTANTSAFEOPERATIONPRACTICES
,_ 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 inthis manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in :)ersonal
injury. When you see this symbol--HEED ITS WARNING
,_ WARNING: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this
manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to
observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
_ ARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or
emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
GeneralOperation
1. Read this operator's manual carefully in its entirety before attempting to assemble this machine. Read,
understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual(s) before operation. Be
completely familiar with the controls and the proper use of this machine before operating it. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.
2. This machine is a precision piece of power equipment, not a plaything. Therefore, exercise
extreme caution at all times. Your unit has been designed to perform one job: to mow grass. Do not
use it for any other purpose.
3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and understand the operation instructions and safety rules in this manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent. Only responsible individuals who are familiar with these safe operation rules should use this machine.
4. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire,
bones, toys and other foreign objects which could be tripped over or picked up and thrown by the blade. Thrown objects can cause serious personal injury. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging matedal against a walt or obstruction which may cause discharged material to ricochet toward operator.
5. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, stay in the operator zone behind the handles and keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at
least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
6. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during operation and while performing an adjustment or repair to protect your eyes. Thrown
objects which ricochet can cause serious injury to the eyes.
7. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close- fitting slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover
the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are recommended. Never operate this machine in bare
feet, sandals, slippery or light weight (e.g. canvas)
shoes.
8. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or
under the cutting deck. Contact with the blade can amputate hands and feet.
9. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause
blade contact or thrown object injuries.
10. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled over the foot during a fall caused by slipping
or tripping. Do not hold on to the mower if you are
falling; release the handle immediately.
11. Never pull the mower back toward you while you are walking. If you must back the mower away from a walt or obstruction first look down and behind to
avoid tripping and then follow these steps:
a. Step back from the mower to fully extend
your arms.
b. Be sure you are well balanced with sure
footing.
c. Pull the mower back slowly, no more than
half way toward you.
d. Repeat these steps as needed.
5. Do not operate the mower while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
6. Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on units so equipped while starting engine.
7. The blade control handle is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so makes
the safety device inoperative and may result in personal injury through contact with the rotating
blade. The blade control handle must operate easily in both directions and automatically return to
the disengaged position when released.
8. Neveroperatethemowerinwetgrass.Alwaysbe sureofyourfooting.Aslipandfallcancause seriouspersonalinjury.Ifyoufeetyouarelosing yourfooting,releasethebladecontrolhandle immediatelyandthebladewillstoprotatingwithin
threeseconds.
9. Mowindaylightorgoodartificiallight.Walk,never run.Stopthebladewhencrossinggraveldrives, walkwaysorroads.
10.Iftheequipmentshouldstarttovibrateabnormally, stoptheengineandcheckimmediatelyforthe cause.Vibrationisgenerallyawarningoftrouble.
11.Shuttheengineoffandwaituntilthebladecomes toacompletestopbeforeremovingthegrass catcheroruncloggingthechute.Thecuttingblade
continuestorotateforafewsecondsafterthe engineisshutoff.Neverplaceanypartofthebody
inthebladeareauntilyouaresurethebladehas stoppedrotating.
12.Neveroperatemowerwithoutpropertrailshield, dischargecover,grasscatcher,bladecontrol handleorothersafetyprotectivedevicesinplace andworking.Neveroperatemowerwithdamaged safetydevices.Failuretodoso,canresultin personalinjury.
13.Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Donottouch.
14.Only use parts and accessories made for this
machine by the original equipment manufacturer (O.EM). Failure to do so can cause personal injury.
15. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your
dealer for assistance. Telephone 1-866-846-6483for the name of your nearest dealer.
DoNot:
1. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments, you could lose your footing or
balance.
2. Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as shown on the slope gauge.
3. Do not mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could cause slipping.
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. They do not understand the dangers. 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. Before and while moving backwards, look behind and down for small children.
4. Use extreme care when approaching blind comers, doorways, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure your vision of a child who may run into the
mower.
5. Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer bums from a hot muffler.
6. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a power mower. Children 14 years old and over should read and understand the operation instructions and safety rules in this manual and should be trained and supervised by aparent.
SlopeOperation
Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents which can result in severe injury. Operation on slopes requires extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it. Before operating this unit on a slope or hilly area, use the slope gauge on page 6 to measure slopes. Ifthe slope is greater than 15 degrees,
do not mow it.
Do:
1. Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.
2. Watch for holes, ruts, rocks, hidden objects, or bumps which can cause you to slip or trip. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
3. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are losing your balance, release the blade control handle immediately, and the blade will stop rotating
within 3 seconds.
Service
SafeHandlingof Gasoline
1. To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite.
2. Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.
3. Use only an approved gasoline container.
4. Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on atruck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place
containers on the ground away from your vehicle before filling.
5. If possible, remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment on a trailer with a portable container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.
6. Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or container opening at all times until fueling is complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open device.
7. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesandother sourcesofignition.
8. Neverfuelmachineindoorsbecauseflammable vaporswillaccumulateinthearea.
9. Neverremovegascaporaddfuelwhiletheengine ishotorrunning.Allowenginetocoolatleasttwo minutesbeforerefueling.
10.Neveroverfillfueltank.Filltankto nomorethan½ inchbelowbottomoffillernecktoprovidespacefor
fuelexpansion.
11.Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.
12.Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeitofftheengineand equipment.Moveunittoanotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingtheengine.
13.Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainerinside wherethereisanopenflame,sparkorpilotlightas
onawaterheater,spaceheater,furnace,clothes dryerorothergasappliances.
14.Toreducefirehazard,keepmowerfreeofgrass, leaves,orotherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanupoilorfuel spillageandremoveanyfuelsoakeddebris.
15.Allowamowertocoolatleast5minutesbefore storing.
GeneralService
1. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.
2. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the blade and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting.
3. Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade for damage (e.g., bent, cracked, worn) Replace blade with the original equipment manufacture's (O.E.M.) blade only, listed in this manual. "Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications may
lead to improper performance and compromise safety!"
4. Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.
5. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the equipment is in safe working condition.
6. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.
7. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against the engine. Thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the damage before starting and operating the mower.
8. Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting height adjustment while the engine is running.
9. Grass catcher components, discharge cover, and trail shield are subject to wear and damage which
could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. For safety protection, frequently check
components and replace immediately with original equipment manufacturer's (O.E.M.) parts only,
listed in this manual. "Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications may
lead to improper performance and compromise safety!"
10. Do not change the engine governor setting or overspeed the engine. The governor controls the
maximum safe operating speed of the engine.
11. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as necessary.
12. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations. Improper disposal of fluids and materials can harm
the environment.
YourResponsibility
Restrict the use of this power machine to persons
who read, understand and follow the warnings and
instructions in this manual and on the machine.
WARNING
USE THIS PAGE AS A GUIDE TO DETERMINE SLOPES WHERE YOU MAY NOT OPERATE SAFELY.
i_1 SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE
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_IL WARNING
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. Operate WALK-BEHIND mowers across the face of slopes, never up and down slopes.
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