Safety Instructions & Operator's Manual for
21" CAST ALUMINUM
WALK MOWERS
COMMERCIAL
SERIES 0
MODELS
CLP21650RV
MODEL NUMBER EXPLANATION
PREFIX BODY SUFFIX
I I I
I II II I
IclLIPI2 I6sloIR I'v'I
CUTTING I L_OPTION S
WIDTH ENGINE SERIES
lip DESIGNATION
I I I ENGINE &
650RV
PREFIX EXPLANATION
P - Self Propelled Mower I C. Commercial
L. Cast Aluminum Deck I E. European Model
BODY EXPLANATION
21 - 21" Cutting Width I 56 - 6.6 lip Engine
SUFFIX EXPLANATION
0 - Series Designation i R. Robin Engine
166- 6.6lip Engine
V. OverHead Valve
L
Thank you for buying a SNAPPER Product! Before operatingyour Walk Behind, read this manual carefully and
pay particular attention to the "IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS" on Page 2. Remember that all power
equipment can be dangerous if used improperly.Also keep in mind that SAFETY requires careful use in accordance
withthe operating instructionsand commonsense.
_ANUAL No. 2-8885 (Rev. 1, 11/96)
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING: This powerful machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and can throw objects that can cause
injury and damagel 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 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 judgment. If you have any questions pertaining to your mower which your dealer
cannot answer to your satisfaction, call or write the Customer Service Department at SNAPPER, McDonough,
Georgia, 30253. Phone: (770) 954-2500.
PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN
t. DO NOT allow children in area when mower is
being operated.
2. DO NOT allow pre-teenage children to operate
mower.
3. Allow only responsible teenagers with mature
judgment or adults to operate mower and only
under close supervision.
4. Keep the area clear of all persons, particularly
small children, and pets.
PREPARATION
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. Be thoroughly familiar with the
controls and proper use of the equipment.
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 fuel tank before starting engine. Use
approved fuel container. DO NOT smoke near
open fuel container. DO NOT fill fuel tank
indoors or when engine is running. Allow engine
to cool for at least ten minutes before refilling.
Wipe off any spilled fuel before starting engine.
DO NOT run engine indoors.
5. Make sure that the wheel drive clutch control is
disengaged before starting engine.
6. Never attempt to make a cutting height
adjustment while the engine is running.
7. When mowing over rough ground or in tall
grass, mower must be set at highest cutting
position.
8. Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light.
9. Never operate mower in wet grass. Always be
sure of your footing; keep a firm hold on the
handle and walk; never runl
10. DO NOT operate mower without the grass bag
(and adapter), side chute, mulch cover or
adapter plug in place.
OPERATION
1. DO NOT change engine governor settings or
over speed engine.
2. DO NOT put hands or feet near or under rotating
parts. Keep clear of discharge area while engine
is running.
3. STOP engine when crossing gravel drives,
walks, or roads, and under any conditions where
thrown objects might be a hazard.
4. After striking a foreign object or if mower
vibrates abnormally, STOP the engine,
disconnect and secure spark plug wire. Inspect
the mower for any damage and repair the
damage.
5. STOP blade and engine whenever you leave the
operating position behind the handle for any
reason, including clearing grass, emptying
grass bag and making any adjustments, repairs,
or inspections.
6. Before cleaning, repairing or inspecting, make
certain 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
complete STOP before removing grass bag
and/or clearing grass.
8. Mow across slopes, never up-and-down.
Exercise CAUTION when changing directions on
slopes. DO NOT mow steep slopes or other
areas where stability or traction is in doubt.
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 fuel in 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, spilled fuel 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.
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.
6. Factory specified Snapper replacement parts
must be used to assure adequate protection
against injury.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ......................................................................................................................... 3
FAMILIARIZATION ....................................................................................................................................................... 4-5
Serial & Model Number Location ........................................................................................................................ 4
Controls ................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Components ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS .................................................................................................................................. 6-11
Pre-start Checklist ............................................................................................................................................... 6
Adjusting Handlebar ............................................................................................................................................ 6
Starting & Stopping Engine .............................................................................................................................. 7-8
Starting & Stopping Engine with Remote Choke ......................................................................................... 8
Starting & Stopping Wheel Drive ......................................................................................................................... 9
Setting Cutting Height .......................................................................................................................................... 9
Grass Catcher ..................................................................................................................................................... 10
Mowing Procedure ............................................................................................................................................. 11
Available Accessories ........................................................................................................................................ 11
TROUBLESHOOTING .................................................................................................................................................. 12
MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS ........................................................................................................................... 13-20
Service Schedule ................................................................................................................................................ 13
Maintenance Parts .............................................................................................................................................. 13
Changing Engine Oil .......................................................................................................................................... 14
Mower Service ............................................................................................................................................... 14-15
Engine Air Cleaner ........................................................................................................................................... 14
Spark Plug ....................................................................................................................................................... 14
Engine Cooling System ................................................................................................................................... 14
Mower Deck ..................................................................................................................................................... 15
Mower Blade Service ..................................................................................................................................... 15-17
Blade Wear Limits ............................................................................................................................................ 15
Blade Removal/Replacement ..................................................................................................................... 15-16
Sharpening Mower Blade ........................................................................................................................... 16-17
Ground Speed Drive Belt .............................................................................................................................. 17-t8
Ground Speed Drive Belt Removal ............................................................................................................ 17-t8
Ground Speed Drive Belt Replacement .......................................................................................................... 18
Sharpening Mower Blade ................................................................................................................................ 19
Ground Speed Clutch Adjustment ..................................................................................................................... t9
Testing the Ground Speed Clutch Adjustment .............................................................................................. 19
Ground Speed Drive Belt Replacement .......................................................................................................... 19
End of Season Storage ...................................................................................................................................... 20
WARRANTY ................................................................................................................................................................. 21
NOTES .......................................................................................................................................................................... 22
PARTS IDENTIFICATION ................................................................................................................. ....................... 23-28
FAMILIARIZATION
The Serial and Model number of the SNAPPER Walk
Behind Mower is located behind the engine on the
discharge tunnel of the mower deck as shown in Figure
1. Record these numbers in the space provided. They
will be useful when ordering parts or accessories.
MODEL NUMBER
SERIAL NUMBER
FIGURE 1
All operator's should become familiar with the controls
of the SNAPPER Walk Behind Mower before attempting
any start-up or operation of the mower. See Figure 2.
_WHEEL
CONTROL
DRIVE
CONTROL
i i i i i
ENGINE
SPEED
CONTROL
GROUND
SPEED
CONTROL
ROPE
START
HANDLE
FIGURE 2
4
FAMiLiARiZATiON
i i nl I ii ii i
The nomenclature drawing in Figure 3 points out the
essential components of the SNAPPER Walk Behind
Mowers. It is recommended that all operator's of this
equipment I_ecome thoroughly familiar with the
components and their operation BEFORE OPERATING.
Specific details involving the engine are found in the_
separate Engine Owner's Manual. Study this Operator's
Manual, the Important Safety Instructions on Page 3,
and the Engine Owner's Manual before operating, and
keep both manuals handy for future reference.
HANDLEBAR
ENq
SPEED
CONTROL
ROPE
START
HANDLE
GRASS
WHEEL
BLADE
DRIVE
CONTROL
/._CONTROL
GROUND
ISPEED
CONTROL
DISCHARGE
COVER
FUEL
_CAP
SINGLE POINT
HEIGHT OF CUT
ADJUSTING HANDLE
HANDLEBAR
SUPPORT
OIL
FILL/CHECK
MOWER
DECK
FIGURE 3
i i i J i i i ii ii
5
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
ii i i i i i ii i i iii
Make the following checks and perform service as re-
quired before each start-up.
Check guards; deflectors and covers to make sure they
are all in place and securely tightened. If guards are
missing or damaged, replace before operating mower.
Check engine oil. Add oil as needed to bring up to, but
not over, the FULL mark. Refer to the Engine Owner's
Manual for oil specifications.
Check handlebar adjustment. Adjust as necessary.
Clean exterior surfaces of cutting deck and engine from
any accumulation of grass clippings and debris. Keep
engine air intake screens and cooling fins clean at all
times.
With engine "OFF", move the mower outside and add
fuel to the fuel tank. Securely tighten fuel cap after re-
fueling. See Figure 4. Refer to Engine Owner's Manual
for fuel specifications.
OIL FILL/CHECK
FUEL
CAP
/
Check blade control to insure it operates freely.
Check wheel drive control to insure it operates properly.
Adjust as necessary.
Check cutting height and adjust as required.
Loosen handlebar support mounting nuts. See Figure 5.
Raise or lower handlebar to most comfortable position.
Tighten mounting nuts securely with torque wrench from
18 to 23 ft. Ibs.
LOOSEN NUTS
TO ADJUST
HANDLEBAR
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 5
8
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
i ii ii i i i i
Stand behind mower.
To start the engine, move engine speed control to the
"RUN" position. See Figure 6.
Hold the blade/engine control against the handlebar with
right hand. See Figure 6.
Using right hand, pull rope start handle with a smooth,
even motion until engine starts. See Figure 7.
After engine starts guide the rope start handle back to
the rope guide. Never allow handle to "SNAP" back.
Allow engine to warm up until engine runs smooth.
BLADE
CONTROL
TO
START
ENGINE
SPEED
CONTROL'
RUN
STOPPING ENGINE
Move engine speed control to the "IDLE" position, then
release the blade/engine control to stop engine. See
Figure 6.
The engine cannot be stopped by moving the
engine speed control all the way back.
FIGURE 6
ROPE START
GUIDE
FIGURE 7
7