Snapper R204513E User Manual

Safety Instructions & Operator’s Manual for

20” STEEL DECK

WALK MOWERS

SERIES 13

MODEL

R204513E

MODEL NUMBER EXPLANATION

R 20 45 13 E

MODEL DESIGNATION ENGINE OPTIONS CUTTING WIDTH SERIES DESIGNATION ENGINE HORSE POWER

R – Recycling Model 13 - Series Designation 20 – 20” Cutting Width E – Electric Start Model 45 – 4.5 HP (Engine Horse Power)

Thank you for buying a SNAPPER Product! Before operating your Walk Behind, read this manual carefully and pay particular attention to the “IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS” on Pages 2 & 3. Remember that all power equipment can be dangerous if used improperly. Also keep in mind that SAFETY requires careful use in accordance with the operating instructions and common sense.

MANUAL No. 7-2036 .(REV. 1, 5/17/99)

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING: This powerf ul cutting machine is capab le of amputating hand s and feet and can throw objects that can cause injury and damage! Failure to comply with the follow ing SAFETY instru ctions could resu lt in serious injury or death to the operator or other persons. The owner of the machine must understand these instructions and must allow only persons who understand these instructions to operate machine. Each person operating the machine 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 machine which your dealer cannot answer to your satisfaction, call or write the Customer Service Department at SNAPPER, McDonough, Georgia 30253. Phone: (1-800-935-2967).

PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Ch ildren are often attracted to the machine and the mowing activity. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.

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

2. DO NOT allow children in yard when mach ine is operated and turn machine OFF if anyone enters the area.

3. DO NOT allow pre-teenage children to operate machine.

4. ALLOW only responsible adults & teenagers with mature judgment under close adult supervision to operate machine.

5. DO NOT pull mower backwards unless absolutely necessary. LOOK BEHIND and dow n for small children before and when backing.

6. USE EXTRA CARE when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other object s that may obscure vision.

SLOPE OPERATION

1. Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents, which can result in severe injury. All slopes require extra cau tion. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it.

2. Mow across slopes, never up-and-down. Exercise extreme CAUTION when changing directions on slopes. DO NOT mow steep slopes or other areas where stability or traction is in doubt.

PREPARATION

1. Read, understand, and follow instructions and warnings in this manual and on the mower and with attachments. Know the controls and the proper use of the mower before starting.

2. Only mature, responsible persons shall operate the machine and only after proper instruction.

3. Data indicates that o perators age 60 and abov e, are involved in a large percentage of mowerrelated injuries. These operators should evaluate their ability to operate the mower safely enough to protect themselves and others from serious injury.

PREPARATION

4. Handle fuel wit h ext ra care. Fuels are flammab le and vapors are explosive. Use only an approved fuel container. Never remove fuel cap or add fuel with engine running. Add fuel outdoors only with engine stopped and cool. Clean spilled fuel and oil from machine. DO NOT smoke. DO NOT run engine indoors.

5. Check the area to be mowed and remove all objects such as toys, wire, rocks, limbs and other objects that could cause injury if thrown by blade or interfere with mo win g. Also note the location of holes, stumps, and other possible hazards.

6. Keep people and pets a safe distance from machine.

7. Check shields, deflectors, switches, blade controls and other safety dev ices frequently for proper operation and location.

8. Make sure all safety decals are clearly legible. Replace if damaged.

9. Protect yourself when mowing and wear safety glasses, long pants and substantial footwear. DO NOT mow barefooted or with sandals.

10. Know how to STOP blade and engine quickly in preparation for emergencies.

11. Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer or truck.

OPERATION

1. DO NOT put hands or feet near or under rotating parts. Keep clear of discharge area wh ile engine is running.

2. STOP engine when crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads, and under any conditions where thrown objects might be a hazard.

3. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.

4. DO NOT operate mower while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

5. After striking a foreign object or if mower vibrates abnormally, STOP the engine, disconnect and secu re spark plug wire. Inspect the mower for any damage and repair the damage.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

OPERATION

6. Watch for holes, rut s or bumps. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

7. DO NOT mow near drop offs, ditches or embankments. Operator could lose footing or balance.

8. DO NOT mow on wet grass Always be sure of your footing; keep a firm hold on the handle and walk; never run. Slipping could cause injury. STOP blade and engine w henever you leav e the operating position behind the handle for any reason, including clearing grass, emptying grass bag and making wheel height adjustments, repairs, or inspections.

9. 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.

10. STOP engine and wait u ntil the blade comes to complete STOP before removing grass bag and/or clearing grass.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE

1. Never store machine or fuel container inside where fumes may reach an open flame, spark or pilot light such as in a water heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliance. Allow engine to cool before storing machine in an enclosure. Store fuel container out of reach of children in a well ventilated, unoccupied building.

2. Keep mower and engine free of grass, leaves or excess grease to reduce fire hazard and engine overheating.

3. When draining fuel tank, drain fuel into an approved container outdoors and away from open flame.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE

4. Keep all bolts, especially blade bolts, n uts and screws properly tight. Check that all cott er pins are in proper position.

5. Service engine and make adjustments only when engine is stopped. Removed spark plug wire from spark p lu g an d secu re w ire away from spark plug to prevent accidental starting.

6. DO NOT change engine governor speed settings or overspeed engine.

7. Check grass bag assembly frequently for wear or deterioration to avoid thrown objects and exposure to moving parts. Replace with new bag if loose seams or tears are ev ident. Rep lace slider or bag adapter if broken or cracked.

8. Mow er blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blades or wear heavy leather gloves and use CAUTION when handling them.

9. NEVER test for spark by grounding spark plug next to spark plug hole; spark plug could ignite gas exiting engine.

10. Have machine serviced by an authorized SNAPPER dealer at least once a year and have the dealer install any new safety devices.

11. Use only genuine SNAPPER replacement parts to assure that original standards are maintained.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS................................................2-3

TABLE OF CONTENTS............................................................................4

DEALER SET-UP AND CHECKLIST.....................................................5-6

SECTION 1 - FAMILIARIZATION..............................................................8

SECTION 2 - OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS.......................................9-12

Pre-start Checklist...................................................................................................... 9

Starting & Stopping Engine & Blades................................................................. 9-11

Adjusting Handle Height.......................................................................................... 11

Adjusting Cutting Height......................................................................................... 12

Recycling Operation................................................................................................. 12

Recycling Cover Installation/Removal ................................................................... 12

SECTION 3 - MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS................................13-14

Changing Engine Oil................................................................................................ 13

Checking Mower Blade............................................................................................ 13

Annually (End of Each Season).............................................................................. 14

Engine................................................................................................................... 14

Air Filter................................................................................................................ 14

Engine Oil............................................................................................................. 14

Storage Procedure ................................................................................................... 14

SECTION 4 - ADJUSTMENTS AND REPAIR......................................... 15

Mower Blade Repair/Replacement.......................................................................... 15

TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................................................ 16

SERVICE SCHEDULE ............................................................................ 17

Maintenance/Replacement Parts ............................................................................ 17

WARRANTY............................................................................................ 18

PRIMARY MANTENANCE.................................................................19-22

DEALER SET-UP INSTRUCTIONS for SNAPPER

20” STEEL DECK WALK BEHIND MOWERS

This SNAPPER Walk Behind Mower uses a handle engine control bail system to kill the engine fo r the SAFETY of the operator. These mowers are designed for quick set-up. The checklist on Page 6 should be filled out by the dealer as the items are checked off and/or performed and the Consumer/Operator Product Registration card filled out and sent to th e Cust om er Serv ice depart men t at SNAPPER when comp leted . CAUTION: Cutt ing blad es are extremely sharp. Wear heavy leather gloves when handling or working with blades. Be careful to avoid cutting yourself on sharp edges of blade.

PUSH MODELS

STEP 1: Remove m achine fr om s hipping carton. Machine

is shipped in carton with handles folded Remove and discard cardboard from between all handles. Raise upper handle until it is in line and seats into lower brackets. Securely tighten handle T-Knobs on both sides. See Figure 1.

RAISE HANDLE BAR

LOWER HANDLE

LOOSEN TWO NUTS

T-KNOBS

LOWER BRACKETS

FIGURE 1

IMPORTANT: DO NOT tip machine with carburetor or

spark plug down, oil from crank case will saturate the air filter and cause the engine to hard start or not start at all. If contamination does occur the air filter will have to be replaced.

STEP 2: Tip mower back against the upper handle to gain access to cutting blade. Remove foam shipping block from cutting blade. T his must be removed bef ore starting the engine.

STEP 3: Handle height is adjustable for differ ent height of operators. Loosen the two nuts on the inside of each of the lower handles. See Figure 2. Move the handle up or down to the desired height. Retighten all nuts securely after adjustment.

STEP 4: Pull blade c ontro l against upper handle, pull r ope start handle and loop into rope guide. See Figure 3.

FIGURE 2

HANDLE

ROPE GUIDE

STARTER ROPE

T-HANDLE

FIGURE 3

STEP 5: Set-up is now complete for push models

Proceed to checklist f ound on page 6 of this instruction to prepare mower for use.

DEALER CHECKLIST for SNAPPER

20” STEEL DECK WALK BEHIND MOWERS

The following must be achieved upon the purchase of the mower. It is very important that the Dealer performs and accomplishes the set- up and the operational tests as listed below .

SET-UP (Details on Page 5 of this Instruction)

_____ FOAM SHIPPING BLOCK removed from cutting blade. _____ UPPER HANDLE & LOWER HANDLE secured in place and hardware tightened securely. _____ SIDE CHUTE, RECYCLING COVER or GRASS BAG installed on mower. _____ BLADE retaining bolt(s) checked and tighten securely.

LUBRICATION

_____ ENGINE OIL added to bring level up to full mark on 4-cycle engines (Refer to Engine Manual).

OPERATIONAL TEST

_____ ENGINE started, engine control settings checked and adjusted as needed.

CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) COMPLIANCE TEST

_____ BLADE CONTROL stops engine when released.

DEALER’S RECORDS & FINAL CHECK

_____ PERSONALLY HANDED Operator’s Manual & Mower Safety Booklet to purchaser. _____ INSTRUCTED purchaser to read and follow instructions in Operator’s Manual. _____ DEMONSTRATED proper starting procedure and operation of mower to purchaser. _____ INSTRUCTED purchaser how to service air cleaner, maintain oil level (4-cycle). _____ ASSISTED purchaser in completing Product Registration Card.

CONSUMER/OPERATOR PRODUCT REGISTRATION CARD

Purchase Date ___________________ Model _______________________ Serial No.________________________ Retailers Name ___________________________________ Signature _____________________________________ Address _____________________________________ City ____________________ State _______ Zip _______ MOWER WILL BE USED COMMERCIALLY? _______ YES _____ NO Purchaser’s Name _________________________________ Signature ____________________________________ Address ____________________________________ City _____________________ State _______ Zip _______

IMPORTANT: This form is to be retained by the Dealer for future reference regarding Warranty, proof of purchase, traceability for product recall or service, etc. Complete the Product Registration Card and Mail to Customer Service Department at SNAPPER, P.O. BOX 1379, McDonough, Georgia, 30253.

NOTE: This page is left blank so dealer can remove page 5 for future reference

regarding Warranty, proof of purchase, traceability for product recall or service, etc.

Section 1 - FAMILIARIZATION

ROPE START T-HANDLE

UPPER HANDLE

T-KNOB

LOWER BRACKET

OIL FILL CAP & DIPSTICK

1.1 INTRODUCTION

This manual has been prepared for the operator s of the SNAPPER WALK BEHIND MOWERS. Its purpose, aside from recommending operating and routine service requirements, is to promote safety through the use of accepted operating practices. Read, Understand and Follow the “IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS” on Pages 2 & 3 of this manual and all safety messages on the mower and attachments before operating the mower.

SWITCH BOX

RECYCLING COVER

FIGURE 1.1

BLADE CONTROL

BLADE CONTROL CABLE

COVER KNOBS

1.2 NOMENCLATURE

The nomenclatur e drawing above, Figure 1.1, shows the essential parts of the SNAPPER W ALK BEHIND MOWERS. It is recommended that all oper ators of the mower become thoroughly familiar with the controls, parts and operation of the mower before operating. Specific details involving the engine are found in the separate engine owner’s m anual. Study these manuals before operating and keep both handy for future reference.

T-KNOB

FUEL FILLER CAP

ENGINE

MOWER DECK

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