Snapper 21401S, 21401PS, 21351PD, 21401P, 21351D User Manual

Safety Instruction & Operator's Manual

8NAPPER "HI.VAC

I

WALK BEHIND

MOWERS

MODELS:
21351

21351D

_21351PD

21401
21401S
21401P

21401PS
21401PD

214X1
214XIR

214XIR--2

214XIP
214XIPS

214XIPR

214XIPR---2

Thank you for buying a SNAPPER product! Before operating your mower, read this manual carefully

and pay particular attention to the Important Safety Instructions on page 2. Remember that mowers

and all power equipment can be dangerous if used improperly and keep in mind that safety requires

careful use in accordance with the instructions and .... common sense!

This manual covers all Snapper 21" design series I (last numeral in the five digit model designation)
walk behind mowers. Models without letter suffixes following the five digit designation are push

models equipped with Kwik-N-Ezy grass catcher. The letter suffix D indicates side discharge, P in-

dicates self-propelled, S indicates electric start, R indicates a premium engine and X in the fourth
digit indicates an extra tough version. The -2 suffix indicates the unit is powered by a 2-cycle engine.

Differences are pointed out wherever pertinent throughout the manual.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING: Failure to comply with the following instructions may result in serious injury to the operator or other

persons. The owner of the mower must understand these instructions and, furthermore, must allow only persons

who understand these instructions to operate the mower. Each person operating the mower must be of sound

mind and body and must not be under the influence of any substance which might impair vision, dexterity, or

judgement. If you have any questions pertaining to your mower which your dealer cannot answer to your satisfac-

tion, call or write the Customer Service Department at SNAPPER POWER EQUIPMENT, McDonough
Georgia,30253. (Phone [phone]).

TRAINING OPERATION

1.

Read this Manual carefully and question your dealer 1.
if something is not clear. Should the dealer be

unavailable or unable to answer to your satisfaction,
write or call our Customer Service Department at the 2.

factory. Be thoroughly familiar with the controls and

proper use of the equipment.

2. DO NOT allow children in yard when mower is
operated.

Do not change engine governor settings or overspeed
engine.

Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts.
Keep clear of discharge area while engine is running.

,

Stop engine when crossing gravel drives, walks, or
roads, and under any conditions where thrown ob.

jects might be a hazard.

3. DO NOT allow pre-teenager children to operate 4.
mower.

4,

Only responsible teenagers with mature judgement
shall be allowed to operate mower and only under
close supervision.

5,

Keep the area clear of all persons, particularly small

children, and pets.

PREPARATION 6.

1,

Never operate mower without proper guards, plates,
safety switches, or other safety protective devices in

place and properly connected. Inspect to determine
that these safety devices are installed properly, are

in good repair, and operate properly. If the condition
or operation of these devices are questionable, they

must be repaired or replaced before using the mower.

2.

Thoroughly inspect the area where the mower is to

be used and remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones
and other foreign objects. Also note the location of

holes, stumps, and other possible hazards.

3,

Do not operate mower when barefoot or wearing

open sandals. Always wear substantial footwear and

long pants.

4,

Fill gasoline tank before starting engine. Use approv-
ed gasoline container. Do not smoke near open
gasoline container. Do not fill gasoline tank indoors
or when engine is running. Allow engine to cool for at

least ten minutes before refilling. Wipe off any spill-
ed gasoline before starting engine. Do not run engine
indoors.

5, Make sure that the traction drive clutch control is

disengaged before starting engine.

6,

Never attempt to make a wheel height adjustment

while the engine is running.

After striking a foreign object or if mower vibrates ab-
normally, stop the engine, disconnect and secure

spark plug wire. Inspect the mower for any damage
and repair the damage.

5,

Stop engine whenever you leave the operating posi.
tion behind the handle for any reason, including emp.

tying grass bag and making any adjustments,
repairs, or inspections.

Before cleaning, repairing or inspecting, make cer-

tain blade and all moving parts have stopped.

Disconnect and secure spark plug wire away from

plug to prevent accidental starting.

7,

Stop engine and wait until the blade comes to com.

plete stop before removing grass bag andlor unclogg-
ing adapter.

8,

Mow across steep slopes, never up.and.down. Exer-

cise caution when changing directions on slopes. Do

not mow excessively steep slopes.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE

1,

Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure
mower, is in safe operating condition.

2,

Never store mower with gasoline in the tank inside of
a building where fumes may reach an open flame or

spark. Allow engine to cool before storing in any
enclosure.

3,

To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass,

leaves or excessive grease.

4,

Check grass bag assembly frequently for wear or
deterioration. Replace with new bag if loose seams

or tears are evident. Replace slider or bag adapter if
broken or cracked.

7,

When mowing over rough ground or in tall grass,

mower must be set in highest cutting position.

8,

Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light.

.

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

never run.

-2-

5.

Have your mower inspected and serviced each year
by an authorized Snapper dealer. Determine if any

additional devices are available which might upgrade
the safety of your mower.

,

Factory specified Snapper replacement parts must

be used to assure adequate protection against in-

jury.

PRE-START CHECKS

Before each start-up, check the following and/or perform
the service specified as needed.

• CHECK guards, grass bag and adapter or side discharge
chute to make sure these items are in proper position and
securely tightened. NOTE: The tab on inside rear edge of

the adapter or side chute must push the interlock spring in
toward the center of the mower. If improperly installed, the

engine cannot be started.

oCLEAN surfaces to remove dust, dirt, clippings par-

ticularly from cooling air intake screen on engine to pre-
vent overheating.

• CHECK oil level in 4-cycle engine and add oil as needed

to bring the level up to, but not over, full mark.*

• CHECK cutting height and adjust, as needed, to suit
prevailing grass conditions before starting(Refer to height
adjusting procedure on page 4).

(_1. ENGINE CONTROL

2. BLADE CONTROL

3. WHEEL DRIVE CONTROL

4. GROUND SPEED CONTROL

5. ELECTRIC START KEYSWlTCH

FIGURE 1 - LOCATION OF CONTROLS

OPERATING PROCEDURE

Keep the important safety instructions in mind when

operating the mower. For easier starting, move the mower
to an area where the cutting blade can turn free of tall

grass. Know beforehand how to stop the mower in prepara-
tion for possible emergencies. The engine (and blade) is

stopped by releasing the BLADE CONTROL or by pulling
the ENGINE CONTROL rearward to STOP position. For-

ward motion of self.propelled models is stopped by releas-
ing the WHEEL DRIVE control. Refer to figure 1 for location

of these controls.

• FILL FUEL TANK after pushing mower outdoors where
fumes will be safely dissipated. On 2-cycle engine, use the
correct fuel to oil ratio.*

*See engine manual for fuel & oil specifications.

STARTING-STOPPING ENGINE

Stop engine (& blade) by releasing the BLADE CONTROL
or pulling the ENGINE CONTROL rearward to STOP posi-

tion.
ROPE START: Since the engine cannot be started unless

the BLADE CONTROL is held against the upper handle,
use the following steps to rope start the engine. If the

engine is cold, push primer button if so equipped. Also turn
fuel valve on beforehand on engines so equipped.

1. Set ENGINE CONTROL in START or CHOKE position.

2. Place foot with toe pointing forward on top of rear tire.

3. Hold BLADE CONTROL firmly to handle.

4. Bend at waist to reach ROPE STARTER.

5. Pull rope as you straighten up to use your back more

than arm muscles.

6. Repeat pulling until engine starts, guide rope slowly

back to engine (the rope may break if allowed to snap
back), continue holding Blade Control and move behind

handles to operator's position.
ELECTRIC START: The keyswitch on electric start models

has two positions which are RUN and START. The engine
cannot be stopped at the keyswitch. Stopping is ac-

complished by either releasing the BLADE CONTROL or by
moving the ENGINE CONTROL to STOP position. To start

the engine electrically, proceed as follows: If the engine is
cold, push primer button if so equipped. Also turn fuel
valve on beforehand on engines so equipped.

1. Move ENGINE CONTROL to START or CHOKE position.

FIG 2 - MANUAL START PROCEDURE

2. Hold BLADE CONTROL firmly to handle.

3. Insert key and turn KEYSWITCH to START position and
hold until engine starts then release.

NOTE: To avoid depleting battery energy and/or

overheating the starting motor, do not crank the engine
continously for more than 5 seconds at a time. Allow brief

period between cranking attempts. It the battery charge is

too low for cranking the engine, use the rope starter. The
electric start engines have alternators to maintain suffi-
cient battery charge when the mower is used frequently.

See charging instructions on next page.

-3-