Scotts SP6213, SP6211 User Manual

k9
21-Inch Walk-Behind Rotary Mowers
SP6211 and SP6213
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
OMGC00390 K9
North American Version
Litho in U.S.A.
Introduction

Thank You for Purchasing a Scotts Product

We appreciate your business and wish you many years of safe and satisfied use of your machine.

Using Your Operators Manual

This manual is an important part of your machine and should remain with the machine when you sell it.
Reading your operator’s manual will help you and others avoid personal injury or damage to the machine. Information given in this manual will provide the operator with the safest and most effective use of the machine. Knowing how to operate this machine safely and correctly will allow you to train others who may operate t his machine.
Section in your operator’s manual are placed in a specific order to help you understand all the safety messages and learn the controls so you can operate this machine safely. You can also use this manual to answer any specific operating or ser vicing questions. A convenient index located at the end of this book will help you to find needed information quickly.
The machine shown in this manual may differ slightly from your machine, but will be similar enough to help you understand our instructions.
RIGHT-HAND and LEFT-HAND sides are determined by facing in the direction the machine will travel when going forward. When you see a broken line arrow (------>), the item referred to is hidden from view.
cCAUTION: Avoid injury!
This symbol and text highlight potential hazards or death to the operator or bystanders may occur if the hazards or procedures are ignored.
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! This text is used to tell the operator of actions or conditions that might result in damage to the machine.
NOTE: General information is given throughout the manual that may help the operator in the operation of the machine.

CALIFORNIA Proposition 65 Warning

Warning:g
this product contains chemicals known to the State of California t o cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
The Engine Exhaust from

Special Messages

Your manual contains special messages to bring attention to potential safety concerns, machine damage as well as helpful operating and servicing information. Please read all the highlighted information carefully to avoid injury and machine damage.
Introduction

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

ProductIdentification

Record Identification Numbers

If youneedtocontact an authorizedScottsservicing dealer for information on servicing, always provide the product model and serial number.
You will need to locate the model and serial number for the machine and fortheengineofyour machine and record the information in the spaces provided below.
A
B
MX1575
DATE OF PURCHASE: _________________________________________ DEALER NAME: _________________________________________ DEALER PHONE: _________________________________________ PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (A): __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER (B): __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
Product Identification

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Tableof Contents

Contents

Safety .....................................................................................................................................................................................1
Operating................................................................................................................................................................................5
Replacement Parts...............................................................................................................................................................12
Service Intervals...................................................................................................................................................................13
Service .................................................................................................................................................................................14
Troubleshooting....................................................................................................................................................................25
Storing Machine....................................................................................................................................................................27
Assembly..............................................................................................................................................................................29
Specifications .......................................................................................................................................................................33
Warranty...............................................................................................................................................................................35
Index.....................................................................................................................................................................................38
All information, illustrations and
specifications in this manual are based
on the latest information at the time of
publication. The right is reserved to
make changes at any time without
notice.
COPYRIGHT© 1999
Deere & Co.
John Deere Worldwide Commercial and
Consumer Equipment Division
Horicon, WI
All rights reserved
Previous Editions
COPYRIGHT©
Table of Contents
OMGC00390 K9 - English

Safety

Safety-Alert Symbol

SAFETY
Read and recognize safety information. Be alert to the potential for personal injury when you see this safety-alert symbol.
On your machine safety labels, the words DANGER, WARNING, a nd CAUTION are used with this safety-alert symbol. DANGER identifies the most serious hazards. In this manual, the word CAUTION and this symbol call attention to safety messages.

Machine Safety Labels

DANGER: KEEP HANDS AND FEET AWAY FROM CUTTING BLADES
DANGER:ROTATINGBLADE DO NOT PUT HANDS OR FEET UNDER OR INTO
MOWER WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING
WARNING: AVOID SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH
Read the OwnersManual.
Go across slopes, not up and down.
Do not mow when children or others are around.
Look down and behind before and while mowing
backwards.
Remove objects that could be thrown by the blade.
Keep safety devices in place and working.
DANGER: To avoid injury, do not operate mower without protective
Safety - 1

SAFETY

mulch guard, side discharge chute or grass bagging system fastened in place.
DANGER:ROTATINGBLADE
Stop engine before opening safety door and clearing bagging chute.
THROWN OBJECTS
Do not operate mower without protective guard, side discharge chute, or complete bagging system fastened in place.

Certification Label

The OPEI label on your mower indicates that this model has been certified by an independent laboratory for compliance with American National Standard B-71.1, Safety Specificationsfor Power Lawn Mowers, Lawn and Garden Tractors, and Lawn Tractors.
SAFETY

Operate Safely

Inspect machine before you operate. Be sure hardware is tight. Repair or replace damaged, badly worn, or missing parts. Be sure proper guards, plates, grass catcher, or other safety protective devices are in good condition and fastened in place. Make any necessary adjustments before you operate.
Clear work area of objects that might be thrown. Keep people and pets out of the work area. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
CAUTION
Bag is subject to wear deterioration.
Check bag frequently, replace when necessary.
Use John Deere bag or equivalent to comply with safety
specifications.
If you hit an object, stop the machine and inspect it. Make repairs before you operate. Keep machine properly maintained and in good working order.
DO NOT leave machine unattended when it is running.
Only operate during daylight or with good artificial light.
Be sure of footing. Be especially careful when you pull
machine backwards with the engine running.
Mow across a hill - not up and down. Be careful when you change direction on a slope. DO NOTmow excessively steep slopes.
DO NOT mow wet grass. Reduced traction could cause you to slip.
Keepafirmholdonthemachinehandle.
DO NOT wear radio or music headphones while
operating the machine. Safe operation requires your full attention.
DO NOToperate mower if youare under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Safety - 2
SAFETY

Rotating Blades are Dangerous - Protect Children and Prevent Accidents

Wear Appropriate Clothing

Wear close fitting clothing and safety equipment appropriate for the job.
Do Not operate the equipmentwhen barefootor wearing open sandals. Always wear substantial footwear.
Loud noise can cause impairment or loss of hearing, wearasuitableprotectivedevicesuchasearplugs.

Practice Safe Maintenance

PROTECT CHILDREN:

Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them. Children are attracted to mowing activity, stay alert to the presence of children.
Keep children in the house when you are operating the machine.
Turn machine off if a child enters the area.
Use extra care when you come to blind corners, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may block your vision.
DO NOT let children or an untrained person operate the machine.

HELP PREVENT SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENTS:

Be alert at all times, people especially children can move quickly into the area before you know it.
Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads.
Shut off blades when you are not mowing.
Keep hands, feet, and clothing away from rotating
blades.
Understand service procedure before doing work. Keep area clean and dry.
Never lubricate, service, or adjust machine while it is moving. Keep safety devices in place and in working condition. Keep hardware tight.
To prevent them from getting caught, keep hands, feet, clothing, jewelry, and long hair awayfrom any moving parts.
Beforeservicing machine,disengage all power and stop the engine. Let engine cool.
Securely support any machine elements that must be raised for service work.
Keep all parts in good condition and proper ly installed. Fix damage immediately. Replace worn or broken parts. Remove any buildup of grease, oil, or debris.
Unauthorized modifications to the machine may impair its function and safety.
Safety - 3
SAFETY

Avoid Injury from Contacting Blade

Before you unplug or adjust machine:

STOP the engine.
Wait for blade to STOP.
Keep hands, feet and clothing away from blade when
engine is running.

Handling Waste Products

Handling Fuel Safely

Fuel and fuel vapors are highly flammable:
DO NOT refuel machine while you smoke, when machine is near an open flame or spar ks, or when engine is running. STOP engine.
Fill fuel tank outdoors.
Prevent fires: clean oil, grease and dirt from machine.
Clean up spilled fuel immediately.
Do not store machine with fuel in tank in a building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark.
Waste products, such as, used oil, fuel, and batteries, can harm the environment and people.
DO NOT use beverage containers for waste fluids ­someone may drink from them.
See your local Recycling Center or authorized Scotts servicing dealer to learn how to recycle or get rid of waste products.
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provides specific details on chemical products: physical and health hazards, safety procedures, and emergency response techniques. The seller of the chemical products used with your machine is responsible for providing the MSDS for that product.
Prevent fire and explosion caused by static electric discharge. Use only non-metal, portable fuel containers approved by the Underwriters Laboratory (U.L.) or the American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM). If using a funnel, make sure it is plastic and has no screen or filter.
Static electric discharge can ignite gasoline vaporsin an ungrounded fuel container. Remove the fuel container from the bed of a vehicle or the trunk of a car and place on the ground away from the vehicle before filling. Keep nozzle in contact with container opening while filling.
When practical, remove equipment from trailers or truck beds and refuel them on the ground. If this is not possible, use a portable, plastic fuel container to refuel equipment on atruckbedortrailer.
DO NOT use METHANOL gasoline. METHANOL is harmful to the environment and to your health.
Safety - 4

OPERATING

Operating

Engine Controls

A - Primer Bulb

Handle Controls

Handle and Cutting Height Controls

A
B
A
A
MX1568
C
A - Fold Handle Knobs
A
B - Handle Height Knobs C-CuttingHeightLevers
B
C
M96540
C
D
B
A - Blade Control Lever B - Traction Clutch Lever C - Starter Handle D - Travel Speed Lever (SP6213)
M93034

ADJUSTMENTS

Adjusting Cutting Height

cCAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you adjust
cutting height: STOP ENGINE.
NOTE: Adjust both levers to same height except for LOWEST cutting height (A). This adjustment improves mulching performance at lowest cutting height:
Put front wheel levers in 25 mm (1 in.) notch: First rear notch.
Put rear wheel levers in 38 mm (1-1/2 in.) notch: Second rear notch.
To help move rear wheel lever:
1. Lift lower handlebar slightly with one hand to take some weight off wheel.
2. Move height adjustment lever to desired position with other hand.
Operating - 5
OPERATING

Adjusting Handle Height

Upper Handle:

E
D
F
G
C
B
A
NOTE: Upper handle height can be independently adjusted to two positions.
M87101
Key Cutting Height Adjustments In mm (Inches)
(A) 25mm(1in.) (B) 38 mm (1-1/2 in.) (C) 50mm(2in.) (D) 64 mm (2-1/2 in.) (E) 75mm(3in.) (F) 90 mm (3-1/2 in.) (G) 102 mm (4 in.)
D
E
F
G
C
B
A
A
B
M92146
1. Remove knob (A) and bolt (B) from each side of upper handle.
2. Move handle to desired height.
3. Install bolt through matching holes in upper and lower handles on each side.
4. Install and tighten knob (A).

Lower Handle:

NOTE: Lower handle height can be independently adjusted to three positions.
C
M87102
D
E
M88835
1. Loosen knob (C) approximately 25 mm (1 in.) on each side of handle.
NOTE: Carriage bolts must travel within slotted adjustment brackets and come to rest within one of the three height setting positions (E) before tightening.
2. Pivot handle to a desired height within slotted adjustment bracket (D).
Operating - 6
OPERATING
cCAUTION: Avoid injury! WHEN ENGINE IS
H
F
G
RUNNING, BLADE IS TURNING. Keep hands, feet and clothing away from the
blade.
M96559
3. If bag preventslowering of handle, remove clip (F) to remove rod (G). Remove rod from lower position (H) and insert in upper position as shown to lengthen bag.
4. Tighten knob (C) on each side of handle.

Starting Engine

cCAUTION: Avoid injury! Engine exhaust fumes
can cause sickness or death. Run engine only in a ventilated area. If engine is run in an enclosed area, open doors
to bring in outside air.
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! To help prevent damage to recoil starter and band brake , do not start engine:
When blade is under load, such as, in heavy grass.
When blade control lever is released.
B
M93034
2. Hold blade control lever (B) against handle.
M88828
3. Pull starter handle until you feel resistance. Then pull fast and steady.
4. When engine starts, return rope slowly.
A
1. Primeenginebypressingprimerbulb(A):
COLD Engine - 3 times
WARM Engine - 1 or 2 times
MX1568
Operating - 7
OPERATING

Forward Travel

To Travel Forward:

A
M93034
Pull and hold traction clutch lever (A) against upper handle.

To Stop Forward Travel:

NOTE: Rear wheels will make a clicking noise when mower is pushed forward. This indicates that the drive train is operating correctly.
Release lever (A). Release traction clutch lever before turning the mower.

To change travel speeds: (SP6213)

NOTE: Mower travel speed can be changed when the traction clutch lever is engaged and the mower is moving forward.
A
M93035
Raise or lower speed control lever (A) to engage desired gear.

Stopping Engine

Release handle and levers:

Travel Speeds

Travel speed: (SP6211)

1stGear:3.9km/h(2.4mph)

Travel speeds: (SP6213)

1stGear:3.1km/h(1.9mph)
2nd Gear: 3.9 km/h (2.4 mph)
3rd Gear: 5.0 km/h (3.1 mph)
M73293a
Mower will stop.
Blade will stop.
Engine will stop.
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! If blade does not stop within 3 seconds after you release blade stop lever, see your authorized Scotts servicing dealer.
Operating - 8
OPERATING

Using Side Discharge Chute

cCAUTION:Avoidinjury! DO NOT operate mower
unless grass bag assembly, side discharge chute or mulch guard is in place.
1. Release blade control lever to stop engine.
A
B
MX1566
2. Remove mulch guard knob (A).

Using Grass Bag

cCAUTION: Avoidinjury! DO NOT operate mower
unless mulch guard, side discharge chute or grass bag and bagging chute are in place.
BaggingchuteMUSTberemovedandmulch guard secured in place when grass bag is not being used.
NOTE: Bag may wear and deteriorate. Check condition of bag often. Use a John Deere bag or equivalent to comply with safety specifications.
1. Release blade control lever to stop engine.
2. Grasp handle (A) and handle (B) from left side of mower. Lift bag off mower.
A
B
B
A
MX1570
3. Lift and hold spring loaded mulch guard (B) up.
4. Install side discharge chute (C).
Slide side discharge chute under mulch guard mounting bracket.
Lower mulch guard.
Reinstall and tighten knob (A).
C
M96549
3. Lower front of bag. Raise rear of bag grasping handle (A) and handle (B).
C
4. Allow doors (C) to swingopen. Shake contents of bag to empty out.
M96558

Mowing Tips

Beforebeginningtomow,besuredeckislevelandproper cutting height is selected.
Operating - 9
OPERATING
When you mow an area for the first time, travel SLOW and cut HIGH so you can:
Learn the terrain.
Learn the best mowing pattern.
Help prevent hitting objects hidden in the grass.
Try to m ow grass only when it is dry: Wet grass may plug mower and leave a trail of grass clumps.
Use a travel speed that fits the conditions:
Travel SLOW when you mow thick, tall grass.
FAST travel or sharp turns may produce stripes or
uneven cut. Slow down. Short, fast turns may scuff ground and pull grass out by the roots.
Travel at MODERATE speed when youmow a thin stand of grass.
Mow often enough so you cut only 1/3 of grass blade in one mowing. Cutting grass too short may kill grass and let weeds grow easily.
Aerate lawn to help stimulate soil organisms and root growth.

To Avoid Scalping

Pay attention to the way you mow: scalping can be eliminated.
If mower scalps easily, cutting height may be too low for ground conditions–especially on lawns with many small mounds and r idges.
Mow over ridges and through shallow ditches straight­on, not at an angle.
Keep blade sharp: A dull blade will tear grass; tips of grass will then turn brown.
Check lawn regularly for uneven cut. If cut is uneven:
Mower may not be level. Adjust cutting height levers.
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! DO NOT leave clippings in bag:
Moisture may damage bag.
Damp clippings are a fire hazard.
Clean bag often with water from garden hose, from outsidetoinsideofbag.Letbagdrybeforeuse.
When bag is full:
Mower may leave a trail of clippings.
Clippings may blow out from under deck.
Top of bag will deflate.

Bagging and Composting

Many communities will no longer haul lawn clippings and leaves to landfills. Bagging and composting clippings and leaves is one way to solve this problem.
Clippings from grass bag may also be used as mulch, or sheet compost, between garden rows and around trees and shrubs. This mulch will:
Keep weeds from growing.
Help soil keep moisture.
Add nutrients to soil as it decays.
Help keep soil temperature down during hot weather.
You may compost clippings and leaves in various ways. See garden magazines or clubs for information, or go to your local library for help.
Finished compost is crumbly. It is rich in soil nutrients, and can be spread on your lawn. Compost may also be worked into soil. It adds humus to soil and improves soil texture, making soil looser and easier to work.

Bagging Tips

For best performance, bagger needs good airflow. To help increase airflow:
Keep underside of deck and chute clean.
Cut grass high.
Operating - 10

Mulching Tips

Advantages:
You d o not have to rake or bag grass or leaves.
Lawn holds moisture better during dry weather.
Soil temperatures stay down during hot weather.
Mulch adds nutrients to soil, and reduces need for
fertilizer. Mulching does not make thatch. Frequentshallow watering
and fertilizer application produce thatch from roots that grow close to surface.
Be careful when you mulch leaves in Fall. Grass needs
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