Exmark METRO 21, MPKA21 User Manual

METRO®21

ForSerialNos.
790,000&Higher

PartNo.4500-400Rev.A

WARNING

CALIFORNIA

Proposition65Warning

Theengineexhaustfromthisproduct
containschemicalsknowntotheStateof
Californiatocausecancer,birthdefects,or
otherreproductiveharm.

Important:Whenthemowerisusedoroperated
onanyCaliforniaforest,brushorgrasscovered
land,aworkingsparkarrestermustbeattached
tothemufer.Ifnot,theoperatorisviolating
statelaw,Section4442PublicResourceCode.To
acquireasparkarresterforyourunit,seeyour
EngineServiceDealer.

ThissparkignitionsystemcomplieswithCanadian
ICES-002Cesystèmed’allumageparètincellede
vèhiculeestconformeàlanormeNMB-002du
Canada

TheenclosedEngineOwner’sManualis
suppliedforinformationregardingTheU.S.
EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)and
theCaliforniaEmissionControlRegulationof
emissionsystems,maintenanceandwarranty.

KeepthisengineOwner’sManualwithyourunit.
ShouldthisengineOwner’sManualbecome
damagedorillegible,replaceimmediately.
Replacementsmaybeorderedthroughthe
enginemanufacturer.

Exmarkreservestherighttomakechangesor
addimprovementstoitsproductsatanytime
withoutincurringanyobligationtomakesuch
changestoproductsmanufacturedpreviously.
Exmark,oritsdistributorsanddealers,accept
noresponsibilityforvariationswhichmaybe
evidentintheactualspecicationsofitsproducts
andthestatementsanddescriptionscontained
inthispublication.

©2008—ExmarkMfg.Co.,Inc.
IndustrialParkBox808
Beatrice,NE68310

Contactusatwww.Exmark.com.

2

PrintedintheUSA

AllRightsReserved

Introduction

CONGRATULATIONSonthepurchaseofyour
ExmarkMower.Thisproducthasbeencarefully
designedandmanufacturedtogiveyouamaximum
amountofdependabilityandyearsoftrouble-free
operation.

Thismanualcontainsoperating,maintenance,
adjustment,andsafetyinstructionsforyourExmark
mower.

BEFOREOPERATINGYOURMOWER,
CAREFULLYREADTHISMANUALINITS
ENTIRETY.

Figure1

1.Modelandserialnumberlocation

Byfollowingtheoperating,maintenance,andsafety
instructions,youwillprolongthelifeofyourmower,
maintainitsmaximumefciency,andpromotesafe
operation.

Ifadditionalinformationisneeded,orshouldyou
requiretrainedmechanicservice,contactyour
authorizedExmarkequipmentdealerordistributor.

AllExmarkequipmentdealersanddistributorsare
keptinformedofthelatestmethodsofservicing
andareequippedtoprovidepromptandefcient
serviceintheeldorattheirservicestations.They
carryamplestockofservicepartsorcansecurethem
promptlyforyoufromthefactory.

AllExmarkpartsarethoroughlytestedandinspected
beforeleavingthefactory,however,attentionis
requiredonyourpartifyouaretoobtainthefullest
measureofsatisfactionandperformance.

Wheneveryouneedservice,genuineExmarkparts,
oradditionalinformation,contactanAuthorized
ServiceDealerorExmarkCustomerServiceandhave
themodelandserialnumbersofyourproductready.

ModelNo.

SerialNo.

Figure1identiesthelocationofthemodelandserial
numbersontheproduct.Writethenumbersinthe
spaceprovided.

3

Contents

Introduction...........................................................3

Safety.....................................................................5

SafetyAlertSymbol.........................................5

SafeOperatingPractices..................................5

SafetyandInstructionalDecals.......................9

Specications.......................................................12

ModelNumbers............................................12

Systems.........................................................12

Dimensions...................................................12

ProductOverview................................................13

Operation.............................................................14

Controls........................................................14

Pre-Start........................................................15

OperatingInstructions..................................16

Maintenance.........................................................23

RecommendedMaintenanceSchedule(s)...........23

PeriodicMaintenance.......................................24

CheckEngineOilLevel.................................24

CheckingtheBladeBrakeClutch(For

UnitswithaBladeBrakeClutch

Only).........................................................24

ChecktheMowerBlade.................................24

CheckforLooseHardware............................26

ServiceAirFilter(KawasakiUnits).................26

ServiceAirFilter(HondaUnits).....................27

ChangeEngineOil........................................28

ChangingtheOilFilter(KawasakiUnits

Only):........................................................28

ServicingtheWheels.....................................29

CheckConditionOfBelt(Self-Propelled

UnitsOnly)...............................................29

LubricatethePivotArms...............................29

LubricatetheGearCase(Self-Propelled

UnitsOnly)...............................................30

CheckSparkPlugs.........................................30

Adjustments.....................................................31

AdjustingtheSelf-Propel

Drive(Self-PropelledUnitsOnly)...............31

AdjustingtheBladeBrakeCable....................31

Cleaning...........................................................32

CleanGrassBuild-UpUnderDeck................32

CleaningtheDischargeTunneland

Plug...........................................................32

CleaningUndertheBelt

Cover(Self-PropelledModelsOnly)...........33

CleaningtheBladeBrakeClutch

Shield........................................................33

EmptyingtheFuelTankandCleaning

theFuelFilter(KawasakiUnits

Only).........................................................34

WasteDisposal..............................................34

Storage.................................................................35

PreparingtheFuelSystem..............................35

PreparingtheEngine.....................................35

GeneralStorageInformation.........................35

RemovingtheLawnMowerfrom

Storage......................................................35

Troubleshooting...................................................36

4

Safety

Safety

SafetyAlertSymbol

ThislawnmowermeetsorexceedstheCPSCblade
safetyrequirementsforwalk-behindrotarymowers
andtheB71.4specicationsoftheAmericanNational
StandardsInstituteineffectatthetimeofproduction

Exmarkdesignedandtestedthislawnmowertooffer
reasonablysafeservice;however,failuretocomply
withthefollowinginstructionsmayresultinpersonal
injury.

ThisSafetyAlertSymbol(Figure2)isusedbothin
thismanualandonthemachinetoidentifyimportant
safetymessageswhichmustbefollowedtoavoid
accidents

Thissymbolmeans:ATTENTION!BECOME

ALERT!YOURSAFETYISINVOLVED!

SafeOperatingPractices

Training

•ReadtheOperator’sManualandothertraining
material.Iftheoperator(s)ormechanic(s)can
notreadEnglishitistheowner’sresponsibilityto
explainthismaterialtothem.

•Becomefamiliarwiththesafeoperationofthe
equipment,operatorcontrols,andsafetysigns.

•Alloperatorsandmechanicsshouldbetrained.
Theownerisresponsiblefortrainingtheusers.

•Neverletchildrenoruntrainedpeopleoperate
orservicetheequipment.Localregulationsmay
restricttheageoftheoperator.

•Theowner/usercanpreventandisresponsible
foraccidentsorinjuriesoccurringtohimselfor
herself,otherpeopleorproperty.

Preparation

Figure2

1.Safetyalertsymbol

Thesafetyalertsymbolappearsaboveinformation
whichalertsyoutounsafeactionsorsituations
andwillbefollowedbythewordDANGER,

WARNING,orCAUTION.

DANGER:Whitelettering/Redbackground.

Indicatesanimminentlyhazardoussituationwhich,if
notavoided,Willresultindeathorseriousinjury.

WARNING:Blacklettering/Orangebackground.
Indicatesapotentiallyhazardoussituationwhich,if
notavoided,Couldresultindeathorseriousinjury.

CAUTION:Blacklettering/Y ellowbackground.
Indicatesapotentiallyhazardoussituationwhich,if
notavoided,Mayresultinminorormoderateinjury.

Thismanualusestwootherwordstohighlight
information.Importantcallsattentiontospecial
mechanicalinformationandNoteemphasizes
generalinformationworthyofspecialattention.

•Evaluatetheterraintodeterminewhataccessories
andattachmentsareneededtoproperlyand
safelyperformthejob.Onlyuseaccessoriesand
attachmentsapprovedbyExmark.

•Wearappropriateclothingincludingsafetyglasses,
substantialfootwear,longtrousers,andhearing
protection.DoNotoperatewhenbarefootor
whenwearingopensandals.Longhair,loose
clothingorjewelrymaygettangledinmoving
parts.

CAUTION

Thismachineproducessoundlevelsin
excessof85dBAattheoperator’searand
cancausehearinglossthroughextended
periodsofexposure.

Wearhearingprotectionwhenoperatingthis
machine.

•Inspecttheareawheretheequipmentistobe
usedandremoveallrocks,toys,sticks,wires,
bones,andotherforeignobjectswhichcanbe
thrownbythemachineandmaycausepersonal
injurytotheoperatororbystanders.

5

Safety

DANGER

Incertainconditionsgasolineisextremely
ammableandvaporsareexplosive.

Areorexplosionfromgasolinecanburn
you,others,andcausepropertydamage.

•Fillthefueltankoutdoorsinanopen
area,whentheengineiscold.Wipeup
anygasolinethatspills.

•Neverrellthefueltankordrainthe
machineindoorsorinsideanenclosed
trailer.

•DoNotllthefueltankcompletely
full.Addgasolinetothefueltankuntil
thelevelis1/4to1/2inch(6–13mm)
belowthebottomofthellerneck.This
emptyspaceinthetankallowsgasoline
toexpand.

•Neversmokewhenhandlinggasoline,
andstayawayfromanopenameor
wheregasolinefumesmaybeignitedby
spark.

•Storegasolineinanapprovedcontainer
andkeepitoutofthereachofchildren.

•Addfuelbeforestartingtheengine.
Neverremovethecapofthefueltankor
addfuelwhenengineisrunningorwhen
theengineishot.

•Iffuelisspilled,DoNotattempttostart
theengine.Moveawayfromtheareaof
thespillandavoidcreatinganysourceof
ignitionuntilfuelvaporshavedissipated.

•DoNotoperatewithoutentireexhaust
systeminplaceandinproperworking
condition.

DANGER

Incertainconditionsduringfueling,static
electricitycanbereleasedcausingaspark
whichcanignitegasolinevapors.Areor
explosionfromgasolinecanburnyouand
othersandcausepropertydamage.

•Alwaysplacegasolinecontainersonthe
groundawayfromyourvehiclebefore
lling.

•DoNotllgasolinecontainersinsidea
vehicleoronatruckortrailerbedbecause
interiorcarpetsorplastictruckbedliners
mayinsulatethecontainerandslowthe
lossofanystaticcharge.

•Whenpractical,removegas-powered
equipmentfromthetruckortrailerand
refueltheequipmentwithitswheelson
theground.

•Ifthisisnotpossible,thenrefuelsuch
equipmentonatruckortrailerfroma
portablecontainer,ratherthanfroma
gasolinedispensernozzle.

•Ifagasolinedispensernozzlemustbe
used,keepthenozzleincontactwiththe
rimofthefueltankorcontaineropening
atalltimesuntilfuelingiscomplete.

WARNING

Gasolineisharmfulorfatalifswallowed.
Long-termexposuretovaporshascaused
cancerinlaboratoryanimals.Failuretouse
cautionmaycauseseriousinjuryorillness.

•Avoidprolongedbreathingofvapors.

•Keepfaceawayfromnozzleandgas
tank/containeropening.

•Keepawayfromeyesandskin.

•Neversiphonbymouth.

•Checkthattheoperator’spresencecontrols,
safetyswitches,andshieldsareattachedand
functioningproperly .DoNotoperateunlessthey
arefunctioningproperly.

6

Safety

Operation

WARNING

Operatingengineparts,especiallythe
mufer,becomeextremelyhot.Severeburns
canoccuroncontactanddebris,suchas
leaves,grass,brush,etc.cancatchre.

•Allowengineparts,especiallythemufer,
tocoolbeforetouching.

•Removeaccumulateddebrisfrommufer
andenginearea.

•Installandmaintaininworkingordera
sparkarresterbeforeusingequipment
onforest-covered,grass-covered,or
brush-coveredunimprovedland.

WARNING

Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,
whichisanodorlessdeadlypoisonthatcan
killyou.

DoNotrunengineindoorsorinasmall
connedareawheredangerouscarbon
monoxidefumescancollect.

•Operateonlyindaylightorgoodarticiallight,
keepingawayfromholesandhiddenhazards.

•Starttheenginecarefullyaccordingtoinstructions
withfeetwellawayfromtheblades.

•Neverraisedeckwithbladesrunning.

•Neveroperatethemowerwithdamagedguards,
shields,orcovers.Alwayshavesafetyshields,
guards,switchesandotherdevicesinplaceandin
properworkingcondition.

•Nevermowwiththedischargedeectorraised,
removedoralteredunlessthereisagrass
collectionsystemormulchkitinplaceand
workingproperly .

•Grasscatchercomponentsaresubjecttowear,
damageanddeterioration,whichcouldexpose
movingpartsorallowobjectstobethrown.
Frequentlycheckthecomponentsandreplace
themwiththemanufacturer’srecommendedparts
whennecessary.

•DoNotchangetheenginegovernorsettingor
overspeedtheengine.

•Neverattempttomakewheelheightadjustments
whiletheengineisrunning.

•Stopengine,waitforallmovingpartstostop,
removethesparkplugwire(s)and/orremovekey .

–Beforechecking,cleaningorworkingonthe

mower.

–Afterstrikingaforeignobjectorabnormal

vibrationoccurs(inspectthemowerfor
damageandmakerepairsbeforerestarting
andoperatingthemower).

–Beforeclearingblockages.

–Wheneveryouleavethemower.

•Stopengine,waitforallmovingpartstostop:

–Beforerefueling.

–Beforedumpingthegrasscatcher.

–Beforemakingheightadjustments.

WARNING

Hands,feet,hair,clothing,oraccessoriescan
becomeentangledinrotatingparts.Contact
withtherotatingpartscancausetraumatic
amputationorseverelacerations.

•DoNotoperatethemachinewithout
guards,shields,andsafetydevicesin
placeandworkingproperly.

•Keephands,feet,hair,jewelry,orclothing
awayfromrotatingparts.

•Keepclearofthedischargeopeningatalltimes.

•Toextendthelifetheenginebrake,placethe
throttlecontrolinthe“slow”position;thenstop
theengine.

•Thismowerwasdesignedforoneoperator
only.Keepallothersawayfrommowerduring
operation.

•DONOToperatethemowerwhenpeople,
especiallychildren,orpetsareinthearea.

•Bealert,slowdownandusecautionwhenmaking
turns.Lookbehindandtothesidebefore
changingdirections.

•Stoptheblades,slowdown,andusecautionwhen
crossingsurfacesotherthangrassandwhen
transportingthemowertoandfromtheareato
bemowed.

7

Safety

•Beawareofthemowerdischargepathanddirect
dischargeawayfromothers.

•DoNotoperatethemowerundertheinuence
ofalcoholordrugs.

•Useextremecarewhenloadingorunloadingthe
machineintoatrailerortruck.

•Usecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,shrubs,
trees,orotherobjectsthatmayobscurevision.

SlopeOperation

UseExtremecautionwhenmowingand/orturning
onslopesaslossoftractionand/ortip-overcould
occur.Theoperatorisresponsibleforsafeoperation
onslopes.

DANGER

Operatingonwetgrassorsteepslopescan
causeslidingandlossofcontrol.Lossof
controland/orlossofoperator’sfooting
couldresultinafallwithanarmorleg
gettingunderthemowerorenginedeck
whichmayresultinseriousinjury,deathor
drowning.

•Mowacrossslopes,neverupanddown.

•DoNotmowslopeswhengrassiswet.

•DoNotmowneardrop-offsornearwater.

•DoNotmowexcessivelysteepslopes.

•Reducespeedanduseextremecaution
onslopes.

•Avoidsuddenturnsorrapidspeed
changes.

•Whenfeasible,avoidoperatingtheequipmentin
wetgrass.

•Progressivelygreatercareisneededastheslope
increases.

•Removeormarkobstaclessuchasrocks,tree
limbs,etc.fromthemowingarea.Tallgrasscan
hideobstacles.

•Watchforditches,holes,rocks,dipsandrisesthat
changetheoperatingangle,asroughterraincould
overturnthemachine.

•Useextremecarewithgrasscatchersor
attachments.Thesecanchangethestabilityofthe
machineandcauselossofcontrol.

MaintenanceandStorage

•Stoptheengineandremovethesparkplugwire(s)
and/orremovekey.Waitforallmovementto
stopbeforeadjusting,cleaningorrepairing.

•Keepengineandengineareafreefrom
accumulationofgrass,leaves,excessivegrease
oroil,andotherdebriswhichcanaccumulate
intheseareas.Thesematerialscanbecome
combustibleandmayresultinare.

•LetenginecoolbeforestoringandDoNotstore
nearameoranyenclosedareawhereopenpilot
lightsorheatappliancesarepresent.

•Shutofffuelwhilestoringortransporting.Do
Notstorefuelnearamesordrainindoors.

•Parkmachineonlevelground.Neverallow
untrainedpersonneltoservicemachine.

•Removesparkplugwirebeforemakingany
repairs.

•Usecarewhencheckingblades.Wraptheblade(s)
orweargloves,andusecautionwhenservicing
them.Onlyreplaceblades.Neverstraightenor
weldthem.

•Keephandsandfeetawayfrommovingparts.
Ifpossible,DoNotmakeadjustmentswiththe
enginerunning.

•Keepallguards,shieldsandallsafetydevicesin
placeandinsafeworkingcondition.

•Checkallboltsfrequentlytomaintainproper
tightness.

•Frequentlycheckforwornordeteriorating
componentsthatcouldcreateahazard.

•Allreplacementpartsmustbethesameas
orequivalenttothepartssuppliedasoriginal
equipment.

8

SafetyandInstructionalDecals

Safety

•Keepallsafetysignslegible.Removeallgrease,
dirtanddebrisfromsafetysignsandinstructional
labels.

•Replaceallworn,damaged,ormissingsafety
signs.

•Whenreplacementcomponentsareinstalled,be
surethatcurrentsafetysignsareafxedtothe
replacedcomponents.

•Ifanattachmentoraccessoryhasbeeninstalled,
makesurecurrentsafetysignsarevisible.

•Newsafetysignsmaybeobtainedfrom
yourauthorizedExmarkequipmentdealeror
distributororfromExmarkMfg.Co.Inc.

•Safetysignsmaybeafxedbypeelingoffthe
backingtoexposetheadhesivesurface.Apply
onlytoaclean,drysurface.Smoothtoremove
anyairbubbles.

•Familiarizeyourselfwiththefollowingsafetysigns
andinstructionlabels.Theyarecriticaltothesafe
operationofyourExmarkcommercialmower.

52-2610

ForPushUnits

(MPKA21andMPKA21CA)

39-5770

ForUnitswithoutaBladeBrakeClutch

(MPKA21,MPKA21CA,MSKA21,MSKA21CA,

andMSHN21)

43-8480

ForUnitswithaBladeBrakeClutch

(MSKA21B,MSHN21B,andMSKA21BCA)

52-2620

ForSelf-PropelledUnits

(MSKA21,MSKA21CA,MSKA21B,MSKA21BCA,

MSHN21,andMSHN21B)

68-7410

CommontoAllUnits

9

Safety

ForSelf-PropelledUnits

(MSKA21,MSKA21CA,MSKA21B,MSKA21BCA,

MSHN21,andMSHN21B)

1.Transmissionspeeds2.Neutral

74-1970

77-0500

CommontoAllUnits

93-7398

CommontoAllUnits

103-6328

ForMSKA21BandMSHN21BUnitsOnly

1.Choke4.Slow

2.Fast5.Engine—stop

3.Continuousvariable
setting

104-1329

CommontoAllUnits

103-6327

ForMPKA21,MSKA21,andMSHN21UnitsOnly

1.Choke3.Continuousvariable

2.Fast

setting

4.Slow

104-8585

CommontoAllUnits

10

109-8190

OnMPKA21CAandMSKA21CAUnitsOnly

1.Fast

2.Continuousvariable
setting

3.Slow

Safety

1.Fast

2.Continuousvariable
setting

109-8191

OnMPKA21CA,MSKA21CA,

andMSKA21BCAUnitsOnly

109-8194

OnMSKA21BCAUnitsOnly

3.Slow

4.Engine—stop

11

Specications

Specications

ModelNumbers

SerialNos:790,000andHigher

MPKA21;MPKA21CA;MSKA21;MSKA21CA;MSKA21B;MSKA21BCA;MSHN21;MSHN21B

Systems

Engine

•EngineSpecications:SeeyourEngineOwner’s
Manual

•RPM:3300(NoLoad)

FuelSystem

•Capacity:

MPKA21,MSKA21,andMSKA21BUnits:

4.0qt(3.8L)

MPKA21CA,MSKA21CA,andMSKA21BCA
Units:2.1qt(2.0L)

HondaUnits:2.1qt(2.0L)

•TypeofFuel:Regularunleadedgasoline,87
octaneorhigher.

•FuelFilter:Non-replaceable,intank

•FuelShut-OffValve:MPKA21,MSKA21,and
MSKA21BandHondaUnits:In-line1/4turn
increments.

MPKA21CA,MSKA21CA,andMSKA21BCA
UnitsDoNothaveashut-offvalve.

CuttingDeck

•CuttingWidth:21inches(53.3cm)

•BladeBrake:Whenthebladeengagementcontrol
ismovedtothedisengagedpositionafriction
brakepadstopstherotationoftheblades.

•BladeSize:(1ea.):20.88inches(53.0cm)

•Deck:21inchesrigid.Deckdesignallowsfor
bagging,mulchingorsidedischarge.

•CuttingHeightAdjustment:

Adjustsfrom3/4inches(1.9cm)to31/4inches
(8.3cm)in1/2inch(1.3cm)increments.

•MulchingKit:Standard

•SideDischargeKit:Optional

Dimensions

CurbWeight:

122lb(55kg)Weightsmayvaryslightlydepending
onengineoption.

OverallWidth:

SafetyInterlockSystem

ForunitswithoutaBladeBrakeClutch:Operator
musthavethebladecontrolbaildepressedtostart
theengine.Releasingthebladecontrolbailwillcause
theenginetostop.

Transmission(SelfPropelledUnits)

3speedsforward

SpeedRange:

•1st–2.0mph(3.2km/hr)

•2nd–2.9mph(4.6km/hr)

•3rd–4.1mph(6.6km/hr)

22.25inches(56.5cm)

12