16-INCH MANUAL REEL MOWER
WITH GRASS CATCHER
Model MJ500M
A Division of Snow Joe®, LLC
IMPORTANT!
Safety Instructions
All Operators Must Read These
Instructions Before Use
Always follow these safety guidelines. Failure to do so may
result in serious bodily injury or death.
General Safety WARNINGS!
When using this reel mower, basic safety precautions should
always be followed to reduce the risk of personal injury. These
precautions include:
mWARNING! This unit can be dangerous! Careless or
improper use can cause serious injury.
mWARNING! Risk of dismemberment: keep hands and
feet away from the rotating blades and the cutting area.
Before using the reel mower, familiarize yourself with the
controls, especially how to stop the mower in an emergency.
The only individuals who should use the mower are those who
thoroughly understand these instructions and know how to
properly operate the unit. Children should never be allowed
access to the mower.
Retain this manual for future reference and reread it at the start
of each mowing season.
Safety Information
1. Never place hands, ngers, or feet inside the reel.
Although this mower is not powered by a motor, the reel
spins when the wheels turn, and it is sharp enough to
cause serious injury.
2. Never mow when the grass is wet as it can be slippery.
3. Do not use the reel mower while barefoot or while wearing
sandals.
4. Walk behind, never run, while using the reel mower.
Always keep proper footing and balance when using this
reel mower.
5. Do not intentionally strike or hit trees, fences, or
other objects. Doing so can cause severe injuries or
permanently damage the reel mower's mechanisms.
Form No. SJ-MJ500M-880E-MR1
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
6. Make sure that the reel mower is in proper working order
prior to use. Do not attempt to operate this reel mower if it
is damaged. Contact your authorized Snow Joe® +
Sun Joe® dealer or call the Snow Joe® + Sun Joe®
customer service center at 1-866- SNOWJOE
(1-866-766-9563).
IMPORTANT!
Safety Instructions for Walk-Behind
Reel Mowers
General Operation
• Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the
machine and in the manual(s) before starting.
• Do not put hands or feet near or under the machine.
Always stay clear of the discharge opening.
• Only responsible adults who are familiar with the
instructions should be allowed to operate this machine.
• Clear the mowing area of foreign objects such as rocks,
wire, toys, and other miscellaneous articles, which could
be picked up and thrown by the rotating blades.
• Make sure that the mowing area is clear of bystanders
before starting the mower. Stop the mower if anyone
enters the area.
• Always look down and behind before starting and while
moving backward with the mower.
• Do not operate the machine without safety protective
devices in place and in proper working order.
• Never operate the mower on wet grass. Always be sure of
your footing; walk, never run, with the mower.
• Keep blades sharp.
• Keep hands and feet away from the cutting area.
• Always wear eye protection when operating the machine.
• Objects struck by the reel mower blades can cause severe
injuries. The mowing area should always be carefully
examined and cleared of all objects prior to each mowing.
• Only use identical replacement blades.
© 2014 by Snow Joe®, LLC
All rights reserved. Original instructions.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
1
Slope Operation
Slopes are major factors involved in slip and fall accidents.
Such accidents can cause severe personal injury. Operating
this mower on any inclined surface requires extra caution. If
you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it.
• Mow across the face of a sloped surface; never mow
up and down a slope. Exercise extreme caution when
changing direction on a slope.
• Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden
objects. These may cause an unexpected slip or fall.
• Do not mow on wet grass or excessively steep slopes.
Poor footing could cause a slip and fall accident.
• Do not mow near drop-os, ditches, or embankments.
You could lose your footing or balance.
Children
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of children. Children are often attracted to the mower
and the mowing activity. Never assume that children will
remain where you last saw them.
• Keep children out of the mowing area and under the
watchful care of a responsible adult other than the
operator.
• Stay alert and stop the reel mower if a child enters the
area.
• Never allow children access to the machine.
• Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may block your view of a child.
Service
• Keep all nuts and bolts tight.
• Never tamper with safety devices. Regularly check to
ensure these devices are in place and in proper working
order.
• Keep the reel mower free from grass, leaves, or other
debris buildup.
• If you strike a foreign object, stop and inspect the reel
mower. Repair, if necessary, before restarting.
• Check the grass catcher components and the discharge
guard frequently and replace with manufacturer’s
recommended parts when necessary.
• The mower blades are sharp. Wrap the blades or wear
gloves when handling.
• Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels as
needed.
2
Safety Symbols
The following table depicts and describes safety symbols that may appear on this product. Read, understand, and follow all
instructions on the machine before attempting to assemble and operate.
Symbols SymbolsDescriptions Descriptions
READ THE OPERATOR'S
MANUAL(S) – Read, understand,
and follow all instructions in the
user manual(s) before attempting to
assemble and operate.
SAFETY ALERT – Indicates a
precaution, a warning, or a danger.
DANGER! Cutting/dismemberment
hazard – Keep feet away from the
rotating blades.
CAUTION! Beware of stones and
other foreign objects that could be
thrown from the appliance.
Slip on slope hazard – Use extra
caution when mowing on slopes to
prevent slip and fall accidents.
Keep bystanders and children a
safe distance away.
DANGER! Sharp blades can
sever ngers and toes. Keep
away from the cutting area.
DANGER! Cutting/dismemberment
hazard – Keep hands away from the
rotating blades.
3
Know Your Manual Reel Mower with Grass Catcher
Read the owner’s manual and safety instructions carefully before operating the reel mower. Compare the illustration below to the
reel mower in order to become familiar with the location of the various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for
future reference.
1. Foam grip
2. Upper handle
3. Upper handle knob and bolt (2)
4. Middle handle bar (2)
5. Lower handle knob and bolt (6)
6. Lower handle bar (2)
7. Grass catcher
8. Reel mower body
9. 4-position height control
10. Steel blades
11. Wheels
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
10
Technical Data
Rotor 5 steel blades
Cutting Width 16 in (40.6 cm)
Cutting Height 0.79 in. – 1.81 in.
(20 mm – 46 mm)
7
9
11
Grass Catcher Capacity 6.6 gal (25 l)
Height Control 4-position manual
height adjustment
Weight 22 lbs (10 kg)
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Unpacking
Assembly
Carton Contents:
• Reel mower body
• Upper handle
• Middle handle bar (2)
• Lower handle bar (2)
• Handle knob and bolt (8)
• Grass catcher
• Hex wrench
• Paper test strips (20)
• Manual with registration card
1. Carefully remove the manual reel mower and check to see
that all of the above items are supplied.
2. Inspect the product carefully to make sure no breakage or
damage occurred during shipping. If you nd damaged or
missing parts, DO NOT return the unit to the store. Please
call the Snow Joe® + Sun Joe® customer service center at
1-866-SNOWJOE (1-866-766-9563).
NOTE: Do not discard the shipping carton and packaging
material until you are ready to use your new manual reel
mower. The packaging is made of recyclable materials.
Properly dispose of these materials in accordance with
local regulations.
IMPORTANT! The equipment and packaging material are
not toys. Do not let children play with plastic bags, foils,
or small parts. These items can be swallowed and pose a
suocation risk!
Fitting the handle
NOTE: Do not tighten the knobs completely until assembly is
complete.
1. Secure the two middle handle bars to the upper handle
using the rst set of knobs and bolts provided. Tighten
the knobs on each side to ensure a secure t (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1
Upper handle
Middle
handle
bar
2. Connect the two pieces of the lower handle bars using the
second set of knobs and bolt provided. Tighten the knobs
on each side to ensure a secure t (Fig. 2).
Knobs
Bolts
5
Fig. 2
Lower handle
bar
Bolts
Knobs
3. Attach the upper and middle handle assembly to the lower
handle using the remaining knobs and bolts provided.
Tighten the knobs on each side to ensure a secure t
(Fig. 3).
Fig. 3
Bolts
Middle
handle
Bolts
Assembling and attaching
the grass catcher
1. Fit the support rod into the tube of the grass catcher
(Figs. 5 & 6).
Fig. 5
Tube
Knobs
Lower handle
4. After assembling the handle, line up the holes at the lower
end of each handle arm with the short posts that extend
out from the side plates of the mower base (Fig. 4).
Fig. 4
Handle bars
Post
Support rod
Fig. 6
Tube
Support rod
2. Clip the protective leather proles onto the support rod
(Figs. 7 & 8).
Fig. 7
5. Pull both sides of the lower handle bars over the posts
on the mower body. Press inward on the handle bars to
ensure a secure t over the posts.
Protective leather
proles
6
Fig. 8
4. Secure the locking strap on the grass catcher to the
center bar on the lower handle of the mower. Adjust
the strap to an appropriate height so that the grass
catcher does not rub against the ground while mowing or
transporting the unit (Fig. 10).
Fig. 10
Protective
leather
proles
3. Hook the assembled grass catcher onto the mower by
connecting the sockets to both ends of the roller bar
end shaft (Fig. 9).
Fig. 9
Socket
Roller bar end shaft
Locking strap
NOTE: If you have any questions, please call the Snow Joe®
+ Sun Joe® customer service department at 1-866-SNOWJOE
(1-866-766-9563) for assistance.
Operation
Cutting height adjustment
1. The cutting height of the 16" (40.6 cm) reel mower can be
adjusted from 0.79" to 1.81" (2.0 cm to 4.6 cm) using the
4 position settings on the roller assembly.
2. To adjust the cutting height, pull out the height adjustment
knobs on both sides of the reel mower frame and rotate
the knobs to the desired setting (Fig. 11).
Fig. 11
Height adjustment knob
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3. To adjust the reel to the highest cutting position, place
the adjustment knobs through the top hole (position A)
located on the side of the reel mower frame (Fig. 12).
4. To adjust the reel to the lowest cutting position, place the
adjustment knobs through the bottom hole (position B)
located on the side of the frame (Fig. 12).
Fig. 12
5. Other cutting heights are achieved by moving the
adjustment knobs to the settings between the highest and
lowest positions.
6. Align the cutting path indication arrow with the previously
cut path (Fig. 13).
NOTE: The width of the reel mower's actual cut is
indicated below. Do not use the mower's wheels as a
reference point for the grass cut line.
Highest cutting position
Position A
Lowest
cutting
position
Position B
Ensuring a clean cut
mWARNING! The steel blades are extremely sharp.
To avoid injury, do not touch the blades while making
adjustments. Misalignment of the blades can occur, which
often results from blades that are either too loose or too tight.
This can cause an uneven cut or diculty pushing the mower
(Fig. 14).
Fig. 14
Quality
1. Place the mower on a at surface. Remove the handles
and the grass catcher. Turn the mower reel upside down
to expose the cutting bar.
2. Using one of the twenty (20) pieces of paper provided,
insert one of these pieces of paper between the cutting
bar and the reel blades, then slowly turn the wheel by
hand (Fig. 15).
Fig. 13
Fig. 15
Turn the wheel by hand
Paper
16 inches
3. All the blades should slice the paper evenly along the
entire length of the cutting bar while the reel is turned
smoothly.
8
4. If the mower cuts the paper intermittently, use the hex
wrench provided to tighten the adjustment bolt closest
to where the intermittent cut was observed. Tighten the
bolt on the appropriate end of the cutting bar by turning it
clockwise approximately 1/8th of a turn until the reel
blades make contact (Fig. 16).
Fig. 16
Hex wrench
Adjusting bolts
5. If it becomes too dicult to move the wheel by hand while
adjusting the reel blades, back o the adjustment bolt
slightly by turning it counterclockwise. Test again with a
new piece of paper to verify proper cutting action.
6. Make the same adjustment at the other end of the cutting
bar.
Mowing Tips
Follow the 1/3 rule
The 1/3 rule is key to an enjoyable mowing experience and a
healthy lawn.
1. You should mow your lawn regularly, at least once a week
during the growing season.
2. Be guided by observing the lawn and taking care not to
remove more than 1/3 of the total height of the turf at any
mowing session and never more than 1 inch at a time
(Fig. 17).
Fig. 17
1/3
1"
mWARNING! Both adjustment bolts should have tension
on nal adjustment. Do not overtighten the adjustment bolts as
this could damage the cutting bar.
NOTE: If you have any questions, please call the Snow Joe® +
Sun Joe® customer service department at 1-866-SNOWJOE
(1-866-766-9563) for assistance.
3. Following this rule will stimulate the turf’s root growth,
maintain its health, and encourage its natural ability to
crowd out unwanted weeds.
Tall grass requires incremental cutting
1. For extremely tall grass, set the cutting height at the
mower's maximum setting for the rst pass, and then
reset it to the desired height and mow a second or third
time (Fig. 18).
Fig. 18
Cut here on
rstpass
Cut here on
second pass
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2. Removing too much of the turf’s height, especially in the
heat of summer, can cause root shock and weaken the
lawn; bringing down the height by successive mowing
over two or more days can avoid this damage and
maintain the health of the turf.
3. If the lawn is overgrown (to higher than 4 inches) it may be
necessary to use a brush cutter to remove the excess turf
mass before resuming mowing at normal heights.
NOTE: Do not cover the grass surface with a heavy layer
of clippings. Consider using a grass collection system and
starting a compost pile.
Maintenance Tips
Reel mowers are relatively low maintenance. For consistent
cutting, follow the below instructions:
• Always keep the cutting bar properly adjusted. Refer to the
instruction manual for further directions.
• Regularly clean and lubricate cutting edges with light spray
oil.
IMPORTANT! Reel mowers have diculty cutting tall weeds,
such as dandelions, and will often bend, rather than cut, such
weeds. Cut often to prevent this.
Care and Maintenance
1. Minimum care is required to ensure smooth operation of
your mower.
2. To avoid damage to the mower or cutting blades, keep the
area to be mowed free from debris.
3. For best results, regularly apply lubricant to the mower’s
cutting surfaces, cutting reel axle shaft, and wheels.
Sharpening the Cutting Blades
1. Spread a thin layer of lapping compound on the front edge
of the reel blades.
2. Adjust the cutting bar so that the blade has light but rm
contact across the full width of the cutting bar.
mCAUTION! Do not overtighten the adjusting screws, as
this could damage the cutting bar. Tighten both screws during
nal adjustment.
3. Turn the reel blades until the front edge of the cutting bar
blade is polished.
mWARNING! Clean any grinding compound or debris
from the cutting bar blade, reel blade, pinions, and pawls.
NOTE: Use industrial or valve lapping compound between 100
and 240 grit. Lubricate the axle and pinion with a light lm of
wheel bearing grease.
Service and Support
If your Sun Joe® Mow Joe manual reel mower with grass
catcher requires service or maintenance, please call the
Snow Joe® + Sun Joe® customer service center at
1-866-SNOWJOE (1-866-766-9563).
Model and Serial Numbers
When contacting the company or reordering parts, you will
need to provide the model and serial numbers of your product.
These are found on the decal axed to the housing or handle
of your reel mower with grass catcher. Copy these numbers
into the space provided below.
Record the following numbers from the housing or handle of your
new product:
Model #:
M J 5 0 0 M
Serial #:
Cleaning and Storage
1. Clean the exterior of the machine thoroughly using a soft
brush and cloth before storing. Do not use water, solvents,
or polishes.
2. Turn the mower on its side to clean the blade area.
mWARNING! Do not place your hands inside or near the
cutting area. If grass cuttings are compacted in the blade area,
remove them using a wood or plastic cleaning tool appropriate
for blade cleaning.
3. Store the mower in a dry place. Do not place other objects
on top of the mower during storage.
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SNOW JOE® + SUN JOE® CUSTOMER PROMISE
ABOVE ALL ELSE, Snow Joe® + Sun Joe® are dedicated to you, our customer. We strive to make your experience
as pleasant as possible. Unfortunately, there are times when a product does not work or breaks under normal
operating conditions. We think it’s important that you know what you can expect from us. That’s why we created
the Snow Joe® + Sun Joe® promise.
OUR PROMISE: Snow Joe® + Sun Joe® warrant new products for two years from the date of purchase. If your product
does not work, or there’s an issue with a specic part, we will x this by either sending you a free replacement part or
by sending you a new or comparable product at no charge. How cool is that! Before you know it, you’ll be back in
action cutting, sawing, mowing, washing and…?
GENERAL CONDITIONS:
Snow Joe® + Sun Joe® operating under Snow Joe®, LLC warrants
this new product to the original purchaser for two years against
defects in material or workmanship when used for normal
residential purposes. If a replacement part or product is needed,
it will be sent free of charge to the original purchaser except as
noted below.
The duration of this warranty applies only if the product is put
to personal use around the household. If the product is put to
any business, commercial or industrial use or is rented or leased,
then the duration of this warranty is 90 days from the date of
original purchase. It is the owner’s responsibility to correctly
perform all maintenance and minor adjustments explained in
the owner’s manual.
HOW TO OBTAIN YOUR REPLACEMENT PART OR PRODUCT:
To obtain a replacement part or product, please visit
snowjoe.com/help or email us at help@snowjoe.com for
instructions. Please be sure to register your unit beforehand to
speed up this process. Certain products may require a serial
number, typically found on the decal axed to the housing
or guard of your product. All products require a valid proof
of purchase.
EXCLUSIONS:
• Wearing parts like belts, augers, chains and tines are
not covered under this warranty. Wearing parts can be
purchased at snowjoe.com or by calling 1-866-SNOWJOE
(1-866-766-9563).
• Batteries are covered in full for 90-days from the date of
purchase.
Snow Joe® + Sun Joe® may from time to time change the design
of its products. Nothing contained in this warranty shall be
construed as obligating Snow Joe® + Sun Joe® to incorporate
such design changes into previously manufactured products, nor
shall such changes be construed as an admission that previous
designs were defective.
This warranty is intended to cover product defects only.
Snow Joe®, LLC is not liable for indirect, incidental or
consequential damages in connection with the use or misuse of
the Snow Joe® + Sun Joe® products covered by this warranty.
This warranty does not cover any cost or expense incurred
by the purchaser in providing substitute equipment or service
during reasonable periods of malfunction or non-use of this
product while waiting for a replacement part or unit under this
warranty. Some states do not allow exclusions of incidental or
consequential damages so the above exclusions may not apply
in all states. This warranty may give you specic legal rights in
your state.
HOW TO REACH US:
We’re here to help Monday through Friday from 9AM to 6PM EST.
You can reach us at 1-866-SNOWJOE (1-866-766-9563), online
at snowjoe.com, via email at help@snowjoe.com or tweet us
@snowjoe.
EXPORTS:
Customers who have purchased Snow Joe® + Sun Joe®
products exported from the United States and Canada should
contact their Snow Joe® + Sun Joe® distributor (dealer) to obtain
information applicable to your country, province or state. If for
any reason, you are not satised with the distributor’s service,
or if you have diculty obtaining warranty information, contact
your Snow Joe® + Sun Joe® seller. If in the event your eorts are
unsatisfactory, please reach out to us directly.
11
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