Murray 20406X9A Owner’s Manual

Model

20406x9A

This InstructionBookcontainsinformationforseveralmodels.

Readandkeepthis bookforfuturereference.

Thisbookcontainsimportantinformationon

SAFETY,ASSEMBLY,OPERATION,AND MAINTENANCE.

PRODUCTINFORMATION

Theownermustbecertainthat all
theproductinformation isincludedwiththe unit.

Thisinformationincludes
theINSTRUCTIONBOOKS,

the REPLACEMENTPARTSandtheWARRANTIES.
Thisinformationmustbe includedto makesurestatelaws
andotherlawsarefollowed.

RECORDTHEFOLLOWINGINFORMATIONABOUTYOURUNIT.

THIS INFORMATION IS NECESSARY WHEN ORDERING PARTS
OR IN CASE OF LOSS OR THEFT,

WHEREPURCHASED:
DATEPURCHASER:Month .Day, Year.

MODELNO.: BUILT INTHE

F-98527

DATEOFMANUFACTURE:. t.J _,_,4_

MURRAY, INC. Two Year Limited Warranty

Murray, Inc. warrants to the odginal purchaser that thisunitshall be free from defects in ma-

terial and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of Two (2) Years from
the date of purchase; however, this warranty does not cover engines, accessories (such as

snow blowers, snow blades, grass baggers and plows), transmissions, batteries and Nor-

mal Wear Parts (except as noted below) or transaxles as the companies that manufacture

these items furnish their own warranties and provide service through their authorized field

service facilities. For additional information, see the warranties covering these particular
parts. If you are uncertain whether your unit contains or is equipped with one or more of
these parts, consult your dealer pdor to purchase. Subject to the terms and conditions noted
in this Limited Warranty, we shall, at our option, repair or replace at no cost to the original
purchaser any part covered by this Limited Warranty dudng the applicable warranty pedod.

In the event the battery proves defective within ninety(90) days from the date of purchase,
we willreplace it withoutcharge. Ifthe batteryprovesdefective after(90) days but withinone
hundred twenty (120) days from the date of pumhase, we willreplace itfor a charge ofone
half (1/2) of the retail price of the battery in effect at the time of return.

Normal Wear Parts are defined as belts, blades, blade adapters, pneumatic tires, headlights
and seat covers. These parts are warranted to be free from defects in material and work-

manship asdelivered with the product. Any claim for repairorreplacement of NormalWear
Parts mustbe made withinthirty(30) days of the date of purchase. No claimsinvolvingdam-

age caused from material use, abuse or misuse will be honored.

This Murray, Inc. Two (2) Year Limited Warranty is your exclusive remedy; however, this
warranty isvoidor does notapplytoany unitthat has been tampered with,altered, misused,

abused or used for rentalor othercommercial and/or professional (non-homeowner) uses.
Yourwarranty does notcover minor mechanical adjustmentswhich are not due to any de-

fect in material or workmanship. For assistance in making such adjustments, consult your

InstructionBook.

To make a daim under this Murray, inc. Two (2) Year Limited Warranty, retum the unit(or
if authorized in advance, the defective part) alongwith your proofof purchaseto an Autho-

rized Service Center near you. To locate the nearest Authorized Service Center, call the
Central Parts Distributor for your area shown inthe listprovided with your unitor check the
Yellow Page listingsin your local telephone directory. If you return the entire unit, we will

repair the unit. Ifwe authorize the return of the defective part only, we willeither replace or
repair the part. In the case of a defectin a transmissionor differential (asdistinguishedfrom
a transaxle), the entire transmission or differential must be returned since they do not in-

clude user serviceable parts.

This Murray, Inc. Two (2) Year Limited Warranty givesyou specific legal rights, and you

may also have other rightswhich vary from state to state.This Limited Warranty is given

in lieu of all other expressed and implied warranties including the implied warranty
of merchantability and warranty of f'dness for a particular purpose. Ifyou need addi-
tional informationon this written warranty or assistance in obtaining service, write or call:

MURRAY, INC.

Outdoor Power Equipment

Customer Service Department

P.O. Box 268

Brentwood, Tennessee 37027

1-800-251-8007

F-98527 2

OWNER'S INFORMATION

This instruction book is writtenfor a person with some mechanical ability.Like most service books,

not art the steps are descdbed. Steps on how to loosen or tighten fasteners are steps anyone can

follow with some mechanical ability. Read and foliow these instructions before you use the unit.

Know your product: If you understand the unit and how the unit operates, you will get the best
performance. As you read this manual, compare the illustrations to the unit. Leam the location and

the functionof the controls. To help prevent an accident, follow the operating instructionsand the

safety rules. Keep this manual for future reference.

IMPORTANT: Many units are notassembled and are sold incartons. It isthe responsibility of the
owner to make sure the assembly instructionsinthis manual are exactlyfollowed.Other unitsare
purchased in an assembled condition. On assembled units, itisthe responsibilityof the owner to
make sure the unitis correctly assembled. The owner must carefully check the unit according to

the instructions inthis manual before itis first used.

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER

The responsibility of the owner is to follow the instructions below.

1. Carefully read and follow the rules for safe operation.

2. Follow all the assembly and preparation instructions.

3. Inspect the unit.

4. Make sure that the operatorof the unitknows how tocorrectly use allstandard and accessory

equipment.

5. Operate the unit only withguards, shields,and othersafety itemsinplace and workingcorrectly.

6. Correctly adjust the unit.

7. Service the unit only with euthodzed or approved replacement parts.

8. Complete all maintenance on the unit.

The engine exhaust from this product
contains chemicals known to the State

of California to cause cancer, birth

defects or other reproductive harm.

F-98527 3

IMPORTANT

Safe Operation Practices for Walk-Behind Mowers.

This cuttingmachine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwingobjects. Failure to ob-
serve the following safety instructions could result in serious injury ordeath.

I. General Operation

1. Read, understand, and follow all instruc-

tions on the machine and in the manual(s).

Be thoroughly familiar with the controlsand

the proper use ofthe mower before starting.

2. Do notput hands or feet near or under rotat-
ing parts. Keep clear ofthe dischargeopen-

ing at all times.

3. Only allow responsible individuals,who are
familiar withthe instructions,to operate the

mower.

4. Thoroughly inspect the mower and area

where the equipment is to be used. Clear
the area of objectssuch as rocks,toys,wire,

bones, sticksetc., which couldbe picked up
and thrown by the btade.

5. Be sure the area is clearof other people be-

fore mowing. Stop mower ifanyone enters

the area.

6. Do not operate the mower when barefoot or
wearing open sandals. Always wear sub-

stantial foot wear.

7. Do not pull mower backwards unless abso-

lutely necessary. Look downand behindbe-

fore and while moving backwards.

8. Do not operate the mower without proper
guards, plates, grass catcher orother safety

protective devices in place.

g.

See manufacturer's instructions for proper
operation and installation of accessories.
Only use accessories approved by the

manufacturer.

10. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel
drives, walks, or roads.

11. Stop the engine (motor) whenever you

leave the equipment, before cleaning the
mower or unclogging the chute.

12. Shut the engine (motor) off andwait until the
blade comes to complete stop before re-

moving grass catcher.

13. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.

14. Do not operate the mower while under the
influence of alcohol, drugs or other medica-

F-98527

tion which can cause drowsiness or affect
your ability to operate this machine safely.

15.

Never operate mower in wet grass. Always
be sure of your footing; keep a firm hold on
the handle and walk; never run.

16.

Disengage the self-propelled mechanism

or drive clutch on mowers so equipped be-
fore starting the engine (motor).

17. If the equipment should start to vibrate ab-
normally, stop the engine (motor)and check

immediately for the cause. Vibration is gen-
erally a warning of trouble such as a blade

that is damaged, a loose blade, or the en-
gine mounting bolts are loose.

18. Always wear safety goggles or safety

glasses with side shields when operating
mower to protect your eyes from foreign ob-

jects which can be thrown from the unit.

19. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid dis-
charge of material toward roads, sidewalks,

bystanders and the like.

20. After stdking a foreign object, stop the en-

gine. Remove the wire from the spark plug.
Inspect the blade and mower for damage. If

damaged, repair before startingand operat-
ing the mower.

21. Keep any washout ports and other mower

housing service openings closed when

mowing.

II. Slope Operation
Slopes are a majorfactorrelated to slipandfall

accidents which can resultin severe injury.All
slopes require extra caution. If youfeel uneasy

on a slope, do not mow it.
DO:

Mow across the face of slopes; never up
and down. Do not mow excessively steep
slopes (maximum 15 degrees) or areas

where the ground is very rough. See the
"Guide" in the back of this manual to check

a slope. Exercise extreme caution when
changing directionon slopes.

Remove objects such as rocks, tree limbs,

etc.

Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Tall grass
can hide obstacles.

(Continued Following Page)

4

IMPORTANT

DO NOT:

Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or em-

bankments. The operator couldlose footing

or balance.

Do not mow excessively steep slopes.
Do notmow on wet grass. Reduced footing

could cause slipping.

II1. Children
Tragic accidentscan occurif the operatoris not

alert to the presence of children. Children are
often attracted to the mower and the mowing

activity.Never assume that childrenwillremain

where you last saw them.

1. Keep children out of the mowing area and
under the watchful care of a responsible

adult.

2. Be alert and ttJmmower oftif childrenenter
the area.

3. Before and while moving backwards, look

behind and down for small children.

4. Never allow children to operate the mower.

5. Use extra care when approachingblindcor-

ners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that
may obscure vision.

IV. Service

"1. Use extra care in handlinggasolineand oth-

erfuels. They are flammable and vaporsare
explosive.

a. Use only an approved container.

nect the spark plugwire, and keep the wire
away from the plug to prevent accidental

starting. Always wear eye protectionwhen
you make adjustments or repairs.

4. Keep all nuts and bolts, especially blade at-
tachment bolts,tight and keep equipmentin

good condition.

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

t

To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of
grass, leaves, or other debris buUd-up.

Clean up oilorfuel spillage. Allow mower to
cool before storing.

7. Stop and inspectthe equipment if you strike

an object. Repair, if necessary, before re-
starting.

8. Never attemptto make wheel height adjust-
ments while the engine (motor) is running.

9. Always disconnectetectdc mowers (live op-
erated) before cleaning, repairing, or ad-

justing.

10. Grass catcher components are subject to
wear, damage, and deterioration, which

could expose moving parts or allow objects
to be thrown. Frequentlycheck components
and replace with manufacturer's recom-

mended parts, when necessary. For stor-
age, always make sure grass catcher is

empty.

11. Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap

the blade(s) or wear gloves, and use extra
caution when servicing them.

b. Never remove gas cap or add fuel with 12.

the engine running.Allow engine tocool

before refueling. Do not smoke.

c. Never refuel the machine indoors.
d. Never store the machineor fuel contain-

er inside where there is an open flame,
such as a water heater.

*2. Never run an engine indoors or inside a

closed area.

3. Never make adjustmentsorrepairsto items
such as the height adjustersor grass catch- 14.
er with the engine (motor) running. Discon-

*Asterisked items do not apply to electric mowers.

F-98527 5

Do not change the engine governor setting
or over-speed the engine.

13.

Frequently checkthe blade for wear or dam-
ages such as cracksand nicks.A bladethat
is bent or damaged mustbe immediatelyre-

placed with a factory replacement blade.
For safety and good cutting performance,
replace the blade every two years. Fre-
quently checkthe blade boltand the engine

mounting bolts. Replace damaged bolts

and tighten loose bolts.

Use only original equipment or authorized
replacement parts.

SAFE MOWING GUIDE

Every person who uses power equipment
must learn the difference between proper and
improper use, safe and unsafe mowing prac-

tices. Read the next few pages carefully.

They can help you learn• Too often the mow-
er user is inexperienced, not properly in-

structed, or has not read the InstructionBook
and instructionson the unit before using itfor

the firsttime. This can resultin unsafe use en-
dangering the operator, bystanders, and the

equipment. Another result can be a poor ap-

pearance of the area mowed.
Read this Instruction Book. Read the in-

structionson the unit. Operate the mower ac-
cording to the Safe Mowing Guide and other

safety rules and recommendations in this In-
struction Book and onthe unit. Make sure any-

one whouses the unithas read the instructions
and has been told how to operate the mower
safely.

Your mower is designed to provide good ser-
vice and durability in normal residential cut-

ting. If the mower is not propedyserviced and

maintained or used on unsuitable terrain or in

conditions not suitable for mowing, product

performance and safety will be reduced.
Proper attireis an importantpartof safe mow-

ing. Safety glasses protect the eyes from
thrown objects. Safety shoes with steel toes
can protecta footfrom being cut by the blade.
Shirts and pants that cover the arms and legs
can stop or deflect a thrown object.

gency. Learn how to cutand how to keep con-
trolof the mower at all times.

Many mowers are started manually.When us-
ing a pull start or rope start, place your feet
firmly and away from the blade. Hold the rope

handle securely, but never wrap the rope

around your arm or fingers for a better grip_.
The mower isdesignedfor use byone person.

Always mow alone. Never carry passengers.

Carrying a passenger is dangerous for the
passenger and theoperator.A mower isnotfor
amusement or for carrying objects.

Is the area youare planningto mow wet?.Nev-

er cutawet lawn.Cuttingwet grasscan cause
an accident. It can affect mower performance

and also cause problems with future lawn

growth and appearance. Wet grass isslippery

and might cause the operator to fall or the
mower to slip. Someone could be hurt by
touching the blade. Wet grasstendsto clogthe
mower, causing poordischarge. Wet clippings

bunch up on the lawn retardingthe growth of

grass. A wet mower can cause parts to rust

and reduce the useful life of the unit.

Practice usmg the mower before you actually
begin cuttinggrass. Select a large open level

area. Learn the location and function of the
controls and how theywork. It isimportantthat

the blade can be stopped quicklyinan emer-

F-98527

When you look over the lawn, refresh your

memory about hard, immovable obstacles
such as pipes, stumps, and rocks and avoid

them. They can cause damage to the mower
or an accident injuring the operator or a by-

stander. Take a litter bag along and walk over
the area to be cut. Pick up any stones, toys,
wire, bones, or other loose objects. These
items can damage the mower or they can be-
come dangemus flying objects if the mower

blade hits them. The blade of a power mower
travels very fast. Itcan throw rocks and other
objects withforce over longdistances. Objects

thrown by mowers can break windows, cause

SAFE MOWING GUIDE

bruises, or even putout an eye. Often the per-
son hurtby a thrownobject isa bystandersuch

as a child, another family member or a neigh-

bor. Keep people and pets completely away

from the mowing area. Direct the mower's dis-

charge away from areas where people can be.
Planning your mowing pattern has a double
benefit. It can reduce chancesof an injuryand
make the clean up after mowing easier.

Are there ditches,
walls, or major in-

clines inthe area to be

cut?.Plan the mowing
pattern to avoid such

danger areas. In-
clines and rough ter-

rain must be mowed
carefully and some

areas must notbe cut
with a mower at all.

With walk behind'

equipment, mow
across the incline so

that if youorthe mow-
er slip, you won't run

into each other.
Never mow slopes greater than 15 degrees.

See the "Guide" in the back of this Instruction
Book to check any slopes.

Ready to start cutting? Not yet. Be sure the
mower has been fullyassembled according to

directions in the InstructionBook. Even if as-

sembly was done by a lawn and garden shop
or the store where the unit was purchased, it
must be checked. Are all nuts, bolts and

screws tight?Does the engine have oil?These
items must be checkedperiodicallythroughout

the life of the mower.
Your mower has a gasoline engine. Gas is

dangerous. Store fuel only ina approved gas

container. Do not store large amounts of gas.
Put out all cigarettes, pipes and cigars before

working withgasoline. Storefuel and the mow-

er itselfin a well ventilatedarea away from any
possible source of ignitionsuch a pilot lighton

a furnace. Ifthe mower istobe storedfor an ex-
tended time, remove the gas from the tank.

This minimizes the chance of a fire and keeps
the tank clear of deposits and old gasoline,

thus improvingmower performance. Move the

mower outside before adding gasoline. Use a

funnel andwipe upanyspilledfuel beforestart-

ing. Remember, gasoline expands when
heated so leave some expansion room. Also,
most mower gas caps are vented to allow for
expansion. Always use the propercap. People
are needlessly burned by fires, hurt in explo-

sions, mowers and other property are dam-
aged because of failure to follow basic safety

rules related to gasoline and fueling.
Never add gasolineto an engine that isrunning

or that ishotfrom recent use,thiscan cause an
accident. Remove dry grass and other debris

from the mower.Keeping the mower clean will

F-98527

improve the performance,help the enginestay
cooler, extend the life of moving parts, and

minimize the danger of tire. People get burned
workingwith and aroundtheir mowers for oth-
er reasons than fire and explosions. It takes
only a few secondsof operationfor the engine

and the muffler to become hot. Do not touch
these parts when the mower is running. Stop

the engine and letit cooldown beforeservicing
the mower. Remember, exhaust fumes can be

dangerous. Never operate the engine indoors

or in an enclosed area.

Getting a new mower can be a big event for a
family. Let family members satisfytheir curios-
ity about the mower and at the same time, tell
them about its dangers. Remember, a mower

is riota toyand isnotforuse bychildrenor any-

one lacking in age, strength or experience.
As with any power equipment, a mower can be

dangerous if not assembled, misused, or not
propedy maintained. The most important rule
is to always usegood judgement and common

sense.
Your mower will cut thick grass and heavy

plant stemswith ease. Fingers and toes are no
more resistant to the mower's blade. Many

people are injured because they _forgot" and
reached into the discharge chute.Always treat
_lour lawn mower as if the blade is rotating.

ever perform any service or try to make any

adjustment,except carburetor, while the en-
gine is running.

Use only accessories suited for your mower.
Use of improper accessories can reduce the
safety designed into both the mower and the

accessory, it can even damage the unit. Read

and followthe insb'uctionswhichcome withthe
accessory and the mower.

SAFE MOWING GUIDE

Use only originalequipment orapproved sub- inthe rain isno fun and it is dangerous. Always
stitutionsas service parts. Ifyou need profes- seek shelter in an electrical storm. In extreme-

sional service, select a shop that is an ly dry mowing conditions, your safetyglasses
Authorized Service Center for your brand of can serve a dual purpose by protecting your

mower. Ifyou p_anto service the unityourself, eyes fromdustand thrown objects,also a dust

follow directions in the Instruction Book. or pollen mask can be helpful.

As you mow, remember childrenand pets are
sometimes attracted to the activity. Be espe-

cially careful whentrimmingaround shrubbery

or when backing up. If at all possible, don't

mow when movingbackwards. Itis dangerous
because vision is restricted. Also, btades are

designed to cut while the unit is moving for-
ward so cutting performance is reduced when

mowing in reverse.
Never leave the mower running and unat-

tended. Shut offthe engine. Put the mower in
a position so that it can not roll. If the unit is
self-propelled, make sure the drive control is
disengaged.

When mowing, be aware of your conditionand
the weather conditions. After mowing a long

time, you will be tired. This is the time when

reactions slow down, your attentionwanders;
the time when you are wide open for an acci-
dent. Take a short break. If temperatures are

high, take precautions to avoid becoming de-

hydrated. If you are angry, tired, or unable to

give yourfull attention to mowing, if you have

been consumingalcohol,medicines, or drugs,

do not use your mower or any type of power

equipment.

If weather conditions become worse while you

are cutting,stopand finish later.Cutting grass

F-98527

Your mower isequippedwith a numberofsafe-
ty features which are importantto the safety of
the operator and bystanders and must never

be altered or removed. If a safety feature be-
comes inoperable,lost, ordamaged, it mustbe

repaired or replaced beforethe mowerisused.
Engine speed is a key to safe mowing and a

nice lookinglawn. The maximum speed of the
engine on your mower has been set at the fac-
tory. Do notchange the enginegovernorin any

way.
Select the maximumengine and groundspeed

that is right for the terrain and the height of
grass. You get the best cutting and bagging

performance when using a grass catcher by

operating the engine at maximumspeed. Nev-

erwalk fast or runjust to getthejob donesoon-
er. On inclines, reduce ground speed and

exercise extreme care.

It is best to mow only during daylight hours;

however, ifyou mustmow inthe late afternoon
or evening, make sure there is good artificial

light.

Your mower will require maintenance including
service and adjustments before and after use

as with any machine. The frequency of the
maintenance is generally based on hours of
use, however,the frequencycanvary because

of mowing conditions. Check the Instruction
Book for more detailed instructions. Proper
maintenance protects your investment in the
mower and helps insure that it will function
safely and reliably.

Never attempt any
service (with the pos-

sible exception of car-

buretor adjustment)

with the engine run-

ning. After turning the
engine off, always
disconnect the spark

plug wire to prevent
accidental restarting

while the unit is being
serviced.

SAFE MOWING GUIDE

While mowing, ifyou hit a foreign object, stop
the engine. Remove the spark plug wire. Care-

fully and thoroughly inspect the mower for

damage. Make necessary repairs before re-
starting. Ifthe unitstarts to vibrateabnormally,

stop the engine immediately and checkfor the
cause. Vibration is generally a warning of
trouble. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight.

The blade is the most dangerous part of the

mower and also the mostimportant partinob-

taining a nice lawn appearance. Check the

blade and the blade mounting hardware fre-
quently. Keep it tight. If the blade hits a solid

object, check itthoroughlyfor deformation or
cracks and replace ifdamaged. For safety,re-

place the bladeevery twoyears. A sharp blade
reduces the work loadon the engine and cuts
grass more cleanly,fora better lookingcutwith

lesswork. The blade isalways closeto the out-
side of the mower housing. For best trimming
on side discharge mowers, cut with the left
side of the housingtoward the area that needs
trimming.

A useful accessory for your mower is a grass

catcher. There are grass catchersavailable for

most models. For best performance and safe-

ty, be sure the grass catcher is approved for

use with your mower. Assemble as directed
and follow operating and safety instructions

with the catcher and in the InstructionBook.

Before mounting, checking or emptying the
grass catcher, always turn the engine off. Re-

member to check the grass catcher before
each use for cracks, wear, or deterioration. Re-

place any part that is damaged with the man-
ufacturer's recommended replacement part

before using the grass catcher again.

Proper cutting technique is important if you
want yourlawn to look good. Avoid the tempta-
tion to cut grass too short. Cutting grass too

short can kill t_e plant, cause grass to turn yel-

low, or make the lawn look brown and thatchy.

Use the lower cutting heights in cool months
when the grass is lush. Use the higher cutting

heights in extremely dry periods. Cutting with

a dull blade or low engine speed bruises,

shreds, and can uproot some grass making

the lawn look dull and brown a few days after

cutting. Always put the throttle control in FAST

F-98527

position when mowing and bagging. When
bagging, slower ground speed will provide the

best results.

Change the mowing pattern slightly each time
you cut. If you always cut the same way, the

grass will develop a =set"and clippings will ac-
cumulate more heavily in some areas more

than in others causing grass to get thinner in
those areas. Do not service your mower over
the grass. Spilled oil and gas can kill the grass.

In tall grass or very heavy grass, do not try to
cut it all at once. Raise the height of cut on the

first cutting and lower it for the next cutting the

same day or within a few days. Another way is
to cut only part of the width of the mower and
adjust your ground speed (not the engine) to
move more slowly so the mower can clear it-

self as it moves forward.

When cutting with a walk behind mower, al-

ways push the unit. Do not pull it. Pushing the

unit keeps the operator behind the mower in
the "operator's zone" for better control. Push-

ing the unit also gives you a chance to see ex-
actly where and what you are mowing. There
will be times while you are mowing that you will
have to pull the mower backwards (such as
when the front of the mower has come up
against a wall or fence). If you must back up,

make sure your feet are in the clear. Stand well
back from the mower, plant your feet firmlywith

each stopand back up being careful tolook be-
hind you. Resume normal mowing as soon as

possible.
If your unit is self-propelled, remember that

the ddve mechanism is not designed to do all
the work, but the unit can move without your
help. Always keep your hands on the handle
near the controls when the engine is running.

Remember too that the self-propelled mecha-
nism can be dangerous. Keep hands and feet
away from belts and chains. Always turn offthe
engine before attempting to remove anything
that becomes entangled in the self-propelled
system.

Remember, your mower is a useful tool, but it
can be dangerous. Follow the instructions in

this Instruction Book. Use the mower properly
and carefully and itwill give you many hours of
trouble free, accident free operations.

9