Cub Cadet 18M User Manual
Safety • Assembly • Operation • Tips & Techniques • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
19-inch Self Propelled Rotary Lawn Mower — Model 18M
IMPORTANT
READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION
Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any uniiproved 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. In the State of California the above is required by law
(Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester
for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland,
Ohio 44136-0019.
FORM NO. 769-02812
PRINTED IN U.S.A
CUB CADET LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019
2/9/ 2007
This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new lawn mower. It will help you assemble,
www.cubcadet.com
CUB CADET LLC
P. O. BOX
361131
CLEVELAND, OH 44136
DEALER LOCATOR PHONE NUMBER:
877-282-8684
prepare and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.
Table of Contents
Slope Gauge........................................................ 3
Safe Operation Practices ................................... 4
Setup and Adjustment .......................................6
Operating Your Lawn Mower .............................. 8
Maintaining Your Lawn Mower ......................... 10
Trouble Shooting .............................................. 14
Safety Labels ....................................................15
Cub Cadet LLC reserves the right to change product specifications, designs, and equipment without notice and without incurring obligation.
Engine Appendix .............................................. 16
Engine Safe Operation Practices ................. 16
Operating Your Engine .................................. 18
Maintaining Your Engine ............................... 20
Parts List ........................................................... 24
Warranty .............................................Back Cover
Finding and Recording Model Number
BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO ASSEMBLE YOUR NEW
EQUIPMENT, please locate the model plate on the
equipment and copy the information to the sample
model plate provided to the right. You can locate the
model plate by standing at the operating position and
looking down at the rear of the deck. This information
will be necessary to use the manufacturer’s web
site, to obtain assistance from the Customer Sup-
port Department, or when contacting an authorized
service dealer.
Model Number Serial Number
Customer Support
Please do
purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.
If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation, or
maintenance of this unit, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:
• Visit www.cubcadet.com for many useful suggestions. Click on the Customer Service link and you will get several options
to help in answering your questions. Click on the appropriate button and help is immediately available.
• Phone our
Customer Dealer Referral Line, to find a dealer nearest you, at 1(877) 282-8684.
NOT
return the unit to the retailer from which it was
2
3IGHTANDHOLDTHISLEVELWITHAVERTICALTREE
ORACORNEROFABUILDING
ORAFENCEPOST
&OLDALONGDOTTEDLINEREPRESENTSASLOPE
Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely.
Do not operate your lawn mower on such slopes.
1
Slope
Gauge
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).
Operate WALK-BEHIND
mowers across the
face of slopes, never
up and down slopes.
3
WARNING: 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.
2
Safe
Operation
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!
Your Responsibility
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.
DANGER: 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.
Children
Tragic accidents can occur if operator is not alert to presence
of children. Children are often attracted to mower and 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 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 corners,
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 burns 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 operation instructions and safety rules in this
manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent.
General Operation
1. Read this operator’s manual carefully in its entiret y 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 instructions in this manual and should
be trained and supervised by a parent. Only responsible
individuals who are familiar with these rules of safe
operation should be allowed to 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 material
against a wall or obstruction, which may cause discharged
material to ricochet back toward the operator.
5. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury,
stay in operator zone behind handles and keep children,
bystanders, helpers and pets at least 75 feet from mower
while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters
area.
6. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during opera
tion 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. Shir ts 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 cutting
deck. Contact with 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 wall or
obstruction first look down and behind to avoid tripping and
then follow these steps:
a. Step back from 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.
12. Do not operate the mower while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
13. Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on units so
equipped while starting engine.
14. 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.
15. Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always be sure of
your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal
injury. If you feel you are losing your footing, release the
blade control handle immediately and the blade will stop
rotating within three seconds.
16. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light. Walk, never run.
17. Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, walks or roads.
18. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the
engine and check immediately for the cause. Vibration is
generally a warning of trouble.
-
4
19. Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to a
complete stop before removing the grass catcher or unclog-
ging the chute.
The cutting blade continues to rotate for a few seconds after
the engine is shut off. Never place any part of the body in
the blade area until you are sure the blade has stopped
rotating.
20. Never operate mower without proper trail shield, discharge
cover, grass catcher, blade control handle or other safety
protective devices in place and working. Never operate
mower with damaged safety devices. Failure to do so can
result in personal injury.
21. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do
not touch.
22. Only use parts and accessories made for this machine by
manufacturer. Failure to do so can result in personal injury.
23. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual,
use care and good judgment. Contact your dealer for
assistance.
Slope Operation
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. For your
safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this manual to
measure slopes before operating this unit on a sloped or hilly
area. If the 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.
Do Not:
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.
Service
Safe Handling Of 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. Wash your skin and change clothes
immediately.
2. Use only an approved gasoline container.
3. Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer
bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the
ground away from your vehicle before filling.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources
of ignition.
7. Never fuel machine indoor because flammable vapors will
accumulate in the area.
8. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while engine is hot or
running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before
refueling.
9. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½ inch
below bottom of filler neck to provide for fuel expansion.
10. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
11. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment.
Move unit to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting
engine.
12. Never store the machine or fuel container near an open
flame, spark or pilot light as on a water heater, space
heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliances.
13. To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass, leaves,
or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and
remove any fuel soaked debris.
14. Allow a mower to cool at least 5 minutes before storing.
General Service:
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 equip
ment 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, discon
nect 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 adjust
ment while the engine is running.
9. Grass catcher components, discharge cover, and trail
shield are subject to wear and damage which could
expose moving par ts or allow objects to be thrown. For
safety protection, frequently check components and re-
place immediately with original equipment manufacturer’s
(O.E.M.) par ts 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 gover nor setting or over-rev the
engine. The governor controls the maximum safe operating
speed of the engine.
11. Maintain or replace safety labels, as necessar y.
12. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations. Improper
disposal of fluids and materials can harm the environment.
-
-
2
Safe
Operation
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 IT’S WARNING!
Your Responsibility
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.
5
3
Setup and
Adjustment
NOTE: Stand behind
the mower as if you
were going to operate
it. Your right hand
corresponds to the right
side of the mower; your
left hand corresponds
to the left side of the
mower.
NOTE: Your mower
is shipped with the
handle in the higher
height position.
NOTE: Each end of
the lower handle must
be placed in the same
relative position.
A
B
Figure 3-1: Unfold handle and tighten hardware.
Figure 3-2: Secure lower handle to mounting brackets.
A
IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped without gasoline or
oil in the engine. Fill up gasoline and oil as instructed
in the accompanying engine manual BEFORE operating your mower.
1. Remove any packing material which may be between
upper and lower handles.
B
a. Pull up and back on upper handle as shown in
Figure 3-1. Make certain the lower handle is seated
securely into the handle mounting brackets. Do not
crimp cable while lifting the handle up.
b. Tighten star knobs securing upper handle to lower
handle. See Figure 3-1. Make certain the lower
handle is seated securely into the handle mounting
brackets.
2. Tighten star knobs securing lower handle to handle
brackets. See Figure 3-2. Make sure that each
carriage bolt is seated properly in the handle.
3. The rope guide is attached to the right side of the
upper handle. Loosen the wing nut which secures the
rope guide. See Figure 3-3.
a. Hold blade control against upper handle.
b. Pull starter rope out of the engine. Release blade
control.
c. Slip starter rope into rope guide.
d. Tighten wing nut.
4. Insert post on cable ties into holes provided on the
lower handle. Pull cable tie tight and trim excess.
5. Follow steps below to assemble the grass catcher
(if needed). Make certain bag is turned right side
out before assembling (warning label will be on the
outside).
a. Place bag over frame so that its black plastic side
is at the bottom.
b. Slip plastic channel of grass bag over hooks on the
frame. See Figure 3-4. All plastic channels except
center top of bag attach from outside of bag.
IMPORTANT
This unit is shipped
without gasoline or
oil in the engine. Fill
up gasoline and oil
as instructed in the
accompanying engine
manual BEFORE
operating your mower.
B
D
C
Figure 3-3: Pull recoil starter through rope guide and tighten.
A
C
B
Figure 3-4: Assemble the grass catcher (if needed).
6
c. Attach center top of bag from inside of bag.
6. Before attaching the grass catcher, the mulching
baffle must be removed. See Figure 3-5.
a. Lift rear discharge door.
b. Remove mulching baffle.
7. Follow steps below to attach grass catcher:
a. Lift rear discharge door.
b. Place grass catcher on the pivot rod. Let go
of discharge door so that it rests on the grass
catcher. See Figure 3-6.
To remove grass catcher, lift rear discharge door on the
mower. Lift grass catcher up and out, off of the pivot
rod. Release rear discharge door to allow it to close rear
opening of mower.
8. To convert to side discharge, make sure grass catcher
is off of the unit, the rear mulch plug is removed, and
rear discharge door is closed.
a. On the side of the mower, lift the mulching plug.
b. Slide chute hooks under hinge pin on mulching
plug assembly. Lower mulching plug. See Figure
3-7. Do not remove side mulching plug at any time,
even when you are not mulching.
WARNING: Never operate mower unless
the hooks on the grass catcher are firmly
seated on the pivot rod and the rear
discharge door rests firmly against top of the grass
catcher.
Adjustments
3
A
Setup and
Adjustment
B
Figure 3-5: Removing (or installing) the rear mulch plug.
WARNING
Never operate mower
unless the hooks on the
grass catcher are firmly
seated on the pivot rod
and the rear discharge
door rests firmly against
top of the grass catcher.
1. The cutting height adjustment lever is located above
the rear left wheel. See Figure 3-8.
a. Pull the lever out and away from the mower.
b. Move the lever forward or back for desired cutting
height.
c. Release lever towards mower deck.
B
A
C
Figure 3-6: Attach the grass catcher.
Figure 3-8: Use adjustment levers at each wheel to change the
cutting height.
Figure 3-7: Converting to side discharge.
7
Know Your Lawn Mower
Drive Control
4
Operating
Your Lawn
Mower
WARNING
This blade control
mechanism is a safety
device. Do not bypass
its operations.
Blade Control
Choke Knob
Recoil Starter
Cutting Height
Adjustment Lever
Gas Fill
Oil FIll
Mulching Plug
Figure 4-1: The major components on the mower.
Use extreme care
when handling
gasoline. Gasoline is
extremely flammable
and the vapors are
explosive. Never fuel
the machine indoors
or while the engine
is hot or running.
Extinguish cigarettes,
cigars, pipes, and
other sources of
ignition.
Now that you have setup your lawn mower for operation,
it’s important to become familiar with its controls.
Blade Control
The blade control is attached to the upper handle.
Depress and squeeze it against the upper handle to
operate the unit. Release it to stop engine and blade.
WARNING: This blade control is a safety
device. Do not bypass its operations.
Drive Control
The drive control is located on the underside of the
upper handle and is used to engage the drive. Squeeze
it against the upper handle to engage the drive; release
it to slow down or stop mower from propelling. See
Figure 4-1.
Cutting Height Adjustment Levers
The cutting height adjustment lever is located above the
left rear wheel. To adjust the cutting height, refer to the
“Setup and Adjustment” Section
Recoil Starter
The recoil starter is attached to the right upper handle.
Stand behind the unit and pull the recoil starter to start
the unit.
Choke Knob
Pull the choke knob to activate the choke on the engine.
Use of the choke may not be necessary if the engine is
warm or the air temperature is high.
Mulching Plug
The mulching plug is used for mulching purpose. Instead
of collecting the grass clippings in the grass catcher, your
mower has the option of recirculating the clippings back
to the lawn. Make sure that the rear discharge door is
closed and the grass catcher is removed from unit while
mulching.
Gas and Oil Fill-Up
Refer to the engine section in this manual for engine
information.
1. Add oil provided before starting unit for the first time
out of the box.
2. Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in the
engine section of this manual.
WARNING: Use extreme care when
handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive.
Never fuel the machine indoors or while the engine is
hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars, pipes
and other sources of ignition.
8
WARNING: The operation of any lawn
mower can result in foreign objects
being thrown into the eyes, which can
damage your eyes severely. Always wear safety
glasses while operating the mower, or while performing any adjustments or repairs on it.
4
2
Starting Engine
WARNING: Be sure no one other than
the operator is standing near the lawn
mower while starting engine or operating
mower. Never run engine indoors or in enclosed,
poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas. Keep
hands, feet, hair and loose clothing away from any
moving parts on engine and lawn mower.
1. Pull out the choke knob located on the left side of the
upper handle. See Figure 4-2.
NOTE: Use of the choke may not be necessary if the
engine is warm or the air temperature is high.
2. Standing behind the mower, squeeze and hold the
blade control against upper handle.
3. Pull the recoil starter lightly until resistance is felt,
then pull rapidly to overcome compression, prevent
kickback, and start the engine. Repeat if necessary.
See Figure 4-2.
IMPORTANT: Do not allow the recoil starter to snap back
against the rope guide.
4. When engine warms up, push in the choke knob.
Stopping Engine
1. Release blade control to stop the engine and the
blade.
2. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and
ground against the engine.
WARNING: Wait for the blade to stop
completely before performing any work
on the mower or to remove the grass
catcher.
Using Your Lawn Mower
Be sure the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or other
objects which could damage the lawn mower or the
engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown by the
mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury
to the operator and others.
1. Once the engine is running, squeeze the drive control
against the upper handle to propel mower.
2. For best results, do not cut wet grass.
3. For a healthier lawn, never cut off more than one-third
of the total length of the grass.
4
3
Figure 4-2: Starting the mower.
WARNING: If you strike a foreign object,
stop the engine. Remove spark plug boot
from the spark plug, thoroughly inspect
the mower for any damage, and repair the damage
before restarting and operating the mower. Extensive vibration of the mower during operation is an
indication of damage. The unit should be promptly
inspected and repaired.
1
Using as a Mulcher
For mulching grass, remove the grass catcher (or side
chute deflector) from the mower and lower the mulching
baffle.
Using the Grass Catcher
You can use the grass catcher to collect clippings while
you are operating the mower.
1. Attach grass catcher following instructions in the
“Setup and Adjustment” section. Grass clippings
will automatically collect in bag as you run mower.
Operate mower till grass bag is full.
2. Stop engine completely by releasing the blade control.
Make sure that the unit has come to a complete stop.
3. Lift discharge door and pull grass bag up and away
from the mower to remove the bag. Dispose of the
grass clippings and reinstall the bag when complete
Operating Tips
• New grass, thick grass, or wet grass may require a
narrower cut.
• For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass.
• Adjust ground speed according to condition of lawn.
• If the grass has been allowed to grow in excess of
four inches, mulching is not recommended. Mow
using the side discharge to reduce the grass height to
3-1/4 inches or less before mulching.
Operating
Your Lawn
Mower
WARNING
The operation of any
lawn mower can re-
sult in foreign objects
being thrown into
the eyes, which can
damage your eyes
severely. Always wear
safety glasses while
operating the mower,
or while performing
any adjustments or
repairs on it.
Be sure no one other
than the operator is
standing near the
lawn mower while
starting engine or op-
erating mower. Never
run engine indoors or
in enclosed, poorly
ventilated areas. En-
gine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide, an
odorless and deadly
gas. Keep hands,
feet, hair and loose
clothing away from
any moving parts
on engine and lawn
mower.
9
5
Maintaining
Your Lawn
Mower
Figure 5-1: Areas to lubricate on mower.
Lubrication
1. Lubricate pivot points on the blade control at least
once a season with light oil. The blade control must
operate freely in both directions. See Figure 5-1.
2. Lubricate the wheels at least once a season with
light oil (or motor oil). If wheels are removed for any
reason, lubricate surface of the pivot arm and inner
surface of the wheel with light oil. See Figure 5-1.
3. Lubricate the torsion spring and pivot point on the rear
discharge door and side mulch plug periodically with
light oil to prevent rust. See Figure 5-1.
Deck Care
Clean underside of the mower deck after each use to
prevent build-up of grass clippings or other debris. Follow
steps below for this job.
1. Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain gasoline from lawn
mower or place a piece of plastic under the gas cap.
2. Tip mower so that it rests on the housing. Keep the
side with the air cleaner facing up. Hold mower firmly.
WARNING
Always stop engine,
disconnect spark
plug, and ground
against engine before
performing any type
of maintenance on
your machine.
IMPORTANT: Do not
use a pressure washer
or garden hose to
clean your unit. These
may cause damage to
electric components,
spindles, pulleys, bearings, or the engine. The
use of water will result
in shortened life and
reduce serviceability.
A
B
Figure 5-2: Remove rear flap.
General Recommendations
• Always observe safety rules when performing
any maintenance.
• The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover
items that have been subjected to operator abuse
or negligence. To receive full value from warranty,
operator must maintain the lawn mower as
instructed here.
• Changing of engine-governed speed will void
engine warranty.
• All adjustments should be checked at least once
each season.
• Periodically check all fasteners and make sure these
are tight.
WARNING: Always stop engine, disconnect spark plug, and ground against
engine before performing any type of
maintenance on your machine.
WARNING: Never tip the mower more
than 90º in any direction and do not
leave the mower tipped for any length of
time. Oil can drain into the upper part of the engine
causing a starting problem.
3. Scrape and clean the underside of the deck with a
suitable tool. Do not spray with water.
4. Put the mower back on its wheels on the ground. If
you had put plastic under the gas cap earlier, make
sure to remove it now.
Engine Care
NOTE: Refer to the engine operation and maintenance
sections in this manual for detailed instructions.
• Maintain oil level.
• Service air cleaner every 25 hours under normal
conditions. Clean every few hours under extremely
dusty conditions.
• Clean spark plug and reset the gap once a season.
• Clean engine regularly with a cloth or brush. Keep the
cooling system (blower housing area) clean to permit
proper air circulation. Remove all grass, dirt, and
combustible debris from muffler area.
Replacing Rear Flap
1. To remove rear flap, lift rear door, and press flap in on
either side to remove from hole. See Figure 5-2.
2. Remove flap from opposite hole and replace with new
flap in the opposite order and manner of removal.
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