Diesel engine exhaust and some of its
constituents are known to the State of
California to cause cancer, birth defects
and other reproductive harm.
CALIFORNIA
Proposition 65 Warning
Battery posts, terminals, wiring
insulation, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm.
WASH HANDS AFTER HANDLING.
WARNING
The engine exhaust from this product
contains chemicals known to the State
of California to cause cancer, birth
defects or other reproductive harm.
Page 3
PRO
SOD CUTTER
IMPORTANT MESSAGE
Thank you for purchasing this Classen product. You have purchased a world class product, one of the best
designed and built anywhere.
This product comes with Parts and Operator's Manuals. The useful life and good service you receive from this
product depends to a large extent on how well you read and understand this manual. Treat this product properly
and adjust it as instructed, and it will give you many years of reliable service.
See a Classen dealer for any service or parts needed. Classen service ensures that you continue to receive
the best results possible from Classen products. You can trust Classen replacement parts because they are
manufactured with the same high precision and quality as the original parts.
Classen designs and builds its equipment to serve many years in a safe and productive manner. For longest life,
use this product only as directed in the manual, keep it in good repair and follow safety warnings and instructions. You'll always be glad you did.
PARTS SECTION ............................................................................................................................................. 9
MAIN FRAME ASSEMBLY .................................. FIGURE 1 ................................................................... 10, 11
WARRANTY ............................................................................................................................... BACK COVER
01-2015
1
Page 4
SAFETY
PRO
SOD CUTTER
NOTICE !!!
Unauthorized modications may present extreme
safety hazards to operators and bystanders and
could also result in product damage.
Classen strongly warns against, rejects and disclaims
any modications, add-on accessories or product
alterations that are not designed, developed, tested
and approved by Classen Engineering Department.
Any Classen product that is altered, modied or
changed in any manner not specically authorized
after original manufacture–including the addition of
“after-market” accessories or component parts not
specically approved by Classen–will result in the
Classen Warranty being voided.
Any and all liability for personal injury and/or property
damage caused by any unauthorized modications,
add-on accessories or products not approved by
Classen will be considered the responsibility of
the individual(s) or company designing and/or
making such changes. Classen will vigorously
pursue full indemnication and costs from any party
responsible for such unauthorized post-manufacture
modications and/or accessories should personal
injury and/or property damage result.
This symbol means:
ATTENTION!
BECOME ALERT!
Your safety and the safety of others is involved.
Signal word denitions:
The signal words below are used to identify levels
of hazard seriousness. These words appear in this
manual and on the safety labels attached to Classen
machines. For your safety and the safety of others,
read and follow the information given with these
signal words and/or the symbol shown above.
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. It may also be used to alert against unsafe
practices or property damage.
2
CAUTION used without the safety alert symbol
indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, MAY result in property damage
MODEL NUMBER: This number appears on
sales literature, technical manuals and price lists.
SERIAL NUMBER: This number appears only
on your machine. It contains the model number
followed consecutively by the serial number.
Use this number when ordering parts or seeking
warranty information.
Page 5
PRO
!
!
SOD CUTTER
MAINTENANCE SAFETY
SAFETY
In general
• Maintain machine according to manufacturer's
schedule and instructions for maximum safety
and best results.
• Park machine on level ground.
• Never allow untrained personnel to service machine.
• Guards should only be removed by qualied
maintenance technician for maintenance/service.
Replace when work is complete.
• Adjust or repair only after the engine has been
stopped and the blade has stopped moving.
• Disconnect spark plug wire(s) before doing any
maintenance.
• Replace parts if worn, damaged or faulty. For best
results, always replace with parts recommended
by the manufacturer.
• Do not dismantle the machine without releasing or
restraining forces which may cause parts to move
suddenly.
• Provide adequate support, e.g. jack stands for
lifted machine or parts if working beneath.
• Do not put hands or feet near or under
rotating parts.
• Clean up spilled oil or fuel thoroughly.
• Replace faulty mufers.
• To reduce re hazards, keep the engine, mufer,
and fuel storage area free of grass, leaves, debris
buildup or grease.
Blades
The sod cutter blade is sharp
and can cut. Use extra caution
when handling. Remove obstructions with care. Wrap the
blade or wear gloves.
• Only replace blade. Never
straighten or weld.
• Keep other persons away from blades.
Fuel
• Petrol (gasoline) and diesel
fuels
are ammable; petrol
(gasoline) vapors are
explosive. Use extra care
when handling.
WARNING
WARNING
• Store only in containers specically designed for
fuel.
• When refueling or checking fuel level:
• Stop the engine and allow to cool;
• Do not smoke;
• Refuel outdoors only;
• Use a funnel;
• Do not overll;
• If fuel is spilled, do not attempt to start the
engine until the spill is cleaned up and vapors
have cleared.
• Replace caps on fuel containers and tanks
securely.
Sparks from static electricity can start res or cause
explosions. Flowing fuel can generate static electricity.
To prevent static electricity sparks:
• Keep fuel containers electrically grounded. Do not
ll containers in a vehicle or on a truck or trailer
bed with a plastic liner. Fill containers on the
ground away from the vehicle.
• When practical, remove petrol (gas) powered
equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel it on
the ground. If equipment must be refueled on the
truck or trailer, refuel from a portable container
rather than a dispenser nozzle.
• Keep the dispenser nozzle in contact with the rim
of the fuel tank or container opening until fueling is
complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open device.
Storage Safety
• Stop the engine and allow to cool before storing.
• Drain the fuel tank outdoors only.
• Store fuel in an approved container in a cool, dry
place.
• Keep the machine and fuel containers in a locked
storage place to prevent tampering and to keep
children from playing with them.
• Do not store the machine or fuel container near
heating appliances with an open ame, such as a
water heater, or an appliance with a pilot light.
• Keep gasoline (petrol) storage area free of grass,
leaves and excessive grease to reduce re hazard.
• Clean grass and debris from cutting units, drives,
mufers and engine to help prevent res.
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Page 6
SET UP/ MAINTENANCE
PRO
SOD CUTTER
SET UP INSTRUCTIONS
To prevent injury, wear appropriate eye protection and
stand clear when cutting banding. Banding is under
tension and may snap back when cut.
1. Remove crate and sides.
Remove the banding attaching the sod cutter to
the pallet.
2. Roll the sod cutter off the pallet.
3. Dispose of crating, and banding in a responsible
manner.
4. Check the engine oil level, add if necessary and
ll the fuel tank with fresh clean unleaded regular
gasoline.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
To keep the sod cutter in good operating condition,
perform the following:
• Keep blade sharp; a sharp blade cuts cleaner,
faster and more uniformly and places less load
on the machine. Sharpen cutting edge on bevel
or top side only.
• Keep drive belt at proper tension and free of oil
and dirt at all times.
• Check engine oil level and air lter element daily.
• Check for loose bolts and connections.
• All grease ttings are pressurized type. Use a
good grade Lithium Base Grease or equivalent.
Grease eccentric arms sparingly every 4 hours
of service, all others daily. Wipe off all grease
ttings before and after each greasing (there
are a total of 8 grease ttings).
• Check and adjust chain tension on the front drive
wheels is tight, you will need to remove the
chain guard. If tightening is required, loosen
nuts and bolts on the 3/4” pillow block bearings
and push the bearings toward the back of the
sod cutter until chain is tight. Make sure both
bearings go back evenly to keep jackshaft running even with the frame. Lubricate the chain
on the inner circumference, the side facing
the sprocket, with a light oil such as SAE20 or
SAE30. An oiling can or spray can with a straw
for application is recommended. Retighten nuts
and bolts on the bearing and replace the chain
guard.
• Engine (refer to manufacturer's owner’s manual).
Engine Oil Level Check
1. BEFORE CHECKING OIL:
• make certain the engine is level
• the engine switch is in the OFF position
• the sod cutter blade is NOT engaged
• the drive wheels are disengaged.
2. Remove the ller cap/dipstick and wipe it clean.
3. Insert and remove the dipstick without screwing
it into the ller neck. Check the oil level shown on
the dipstick.
4. If the oil level is low, ll to the edge of the
oil ller hole with the recommended oil.
SAE 10W-30 is recommended for general use.
Refer to engine oil recommendations in engine
manual for other viscosities and information.
5. Screw in the ller cap/dipstick securely.
Transmission (Gearbox) Oil Level Check
(This unit is bolted to the engine)
1. Check the transmission oil level with the engine
stopped and in a level position.
2. Remove the ller cap/dipstick and wipe it clean.
3. Insert and remove the dipstick without screwing
it into the ller hole. Check the oil level shown on
the dipstick.
4. If the oil level is low, add oil to reach the upper
limit mark on the dipstick. Use the same oil that is
recommended for the engine, SAE 10W-30.
5. Screw in the ller cap/dipstick securely.
HYDRO DRIVE OIL LEVEL CHECK
1. Check the Hydro Drive oil level with the engine
stopped and in a level postion.
2. If the oil level is low, add oil to reach the upper
limit mark. Use SAE 20W50 oil.
4
Page 7
PRO
WARNING
!
WARNING
!
SOD CUTTER
STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS
STORAGE
To prevent possible explosion or ignition of vaporized fuel, do not store equipment with fuel in tank or
carburetor in enclosure with open ame (for example,
a furnace or water heater pilot light).
Daily Storage
1. Check engine oil level and air lter element daily.
2. Check oil level in hydro drive. Hydro drive uses
20W50 oil.
3. Close fuel valve at bottom of fuel tank.
4. Clean cutting blade (grass, dirt, etc.).
Extended Storage
Before the equipment is put into storage for any
period exceeding 30 days:
1. Drain all fuel from fuel tank and lines (use a
hose or fuel line, routed from fuel tank shut-off to
proper container).
When replacement parts are required, use genuine
Classen parts or parts with equivalent characteristics, including type, strength and material. Failure to
do so may result in product malfunction and possible
injury to the operator and/or bystanders.
Carbon monoxide present in the exhaust is an odorless and deadly gas. Never start or run the engine
inside where exhaust fumes can collect. Provide
enough fresh air to keep fumes from getting too
strong.
Replace any warning decal that becomes illegible
immediately.
2. Start engine and run until all fuel is used from
the carburetor oat bowl.
3. While engine is warm, check the transmission
oil and rell with the proper weight of oil corresponding to the season when the equipment will
next be used.
4. Remove the spark plug and squirt a small quantity of engine oil into the cylinder. Turn the engine
over a few times to distribute the oil.
5. Lubricate all lubrication ttings.
6. Clean and oil cutting blade to prevent rust.
To put equipment into operation after an
extended storage:
1. Fill fuel tank with clean fresh fuel.
2. Check crankcase oil level, and start engine.
3. Check fuel system for fuel leaks.
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Page 8
ADJUSTMENTS
NEUTRAL ADJUSTMENT
1. Put shift lever in Neutral Position (N). Figure 1
2. Loosen lcoking nut A on clevis, them remove
bolt B and turn the clevis one way or the other
to adjust neutral. Figure 2.
3. To check neutral setting, reassemble with control in neutral. Start the engine and pull pin C
out. Figure 3. Increase engine RPM. The machine should NOT move. If machine moves,
then repeat Steps 1-3 until set properly.
BELT ADJUSTMENT
PRO
SOD CUTTER
1. Remove belt cover.
2. Loosen the pulley andmove up the slot for
tighter belt tension. Figure 4
3. After tension has been adjusted, check the
over center adjustment.
4. Loosen bolt D and move to where the lever
snaps over center and stays engaged. Figure 5 Note: Too much over center may cause the
belt to get loose.
5. Reinstall belt cover.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3
6
FIGURE 5
Page 9
PRO
SOD CUTTER
BELT DISENGAGEMENT
1. Remove belt cover for access.
2. Move blade engagement lever until idler is
about 1/8” to 1/4” away from the back plate Fig-
ure 6
3. Adjust stop bolt E to the lever with idle 1/8”to
1/4” from back plate. Figure 7
4. Reinstall belt cover.
ADJUSTMENTS
REAR WHEEL LOCK OR SWIVEL
To allow rear wheel to swivel:
1. Pull pin F up and turn. Figure 8 & 9
To lock rear wheel:
1. Turn pin F.
2. Move wheel back and forth until pin drops back
into locking hole. Figure
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 9
FIGURE 8
7
Page 10
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE
Model HSC185 .......................4-cycle GX160 Honda
..................................................... 9.9 cu. in. (163 cc)
Model HSC188 .......................4-cycle GX240 Honda
................................................... 14.8 cu. in. (242 cc)
For the period of two years from the date of purchase, CLASSEN will repair or replace for the original purchaser
free of charge, any part or parts found upon the examination of our factory authorized service station, or by
the factory in Southampton, PA to be defective in material or workmanship. All transportation charges on parts
submitted for repair or replacement under this warranty shall be borne by the purchaser.
This warranty does not include engines or engine parts, tires, batteries, or gearboxes that are covered under
separate warranties furnished by their manufacturer or supplier, nor does it include normal maintenance parts,
including but not limited to, spark plugs, points, lters, blades, and lubricants.
All service under this warranty will be furnished or performed by our factory authorized service stations.
There is no other expressed warranty. Implied warranties, including those of merchantability and tness for a
particular purpose, are limited to two years from the date of purchase and to the extent permitted by law, any
and all implied warranties are excluded. The above remedy of repair and replacement of defective parts is
the purchaser’s exclusive remedy for any defect, malfunction or breach of warranty. Liability for incidental or
consequential damages under any and all warranties is excluded to the extent permitted by law.
NORMAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SELLER AND THE USER
1. The Distributor or Dealer is responsible for the proper assembly and preparation of the product for
delivery to the end user.
2. The User is responsible for reading the Manual and Instructions.
3. The User is responsible for proper operation and maintenance as described in the manual.
4. The User is responsible for the replacement of wear items such as blades, belts, tires, batteries, etc.
5. The User is responsible for damage due to improper operation and maintenance, as well as abuse.
All claims must be received by the factory 30 days after the end of the warranty period to receive warranty consideration.
CLASSEN®
SCHILLER GROUNDS CARE, INC.
1028 STREET ROAD, P.O. BOX 38