Toro 20005 Operator's Manual

22, Recycler

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Lawn Mower

Model No. 20005—Serial No. 250000001 and Up

Introduction

Read this manual carefully to learn how to operate
and maintain your product properly and to avoid injury
and product damage. You are responsible for
operating the product properly and safely.

You may contact Toro directly at www.Toro.com for
product and accessory information, help finding a
dealer, or to register your product.

Whenever you need service, genuine Toro parts, or
additional information, contact an Authorized Service
Dealer or Toro Customer Service and have the model
and serial numbers of your product ready. The
illustration below identifies the location of the model
and serial numbers on the product. Write the numbers
in the space provided below:

Model #:

Serial #:

Form No. 3352-550 Rev A

Operator’s Manual

Important: This engine is not equipped with a spark

arrester muffler. It is a violation of California Public
Resource Code Section 4442 to use or operate this
engine on any forest-covered, brush-covered or
grass-covered land. Other states or federal areas
may have similar laws.

This spark ignition system complies with Canadian
ICES-002.

The enclosed Engine Owner’s Manual is supplied for
information regarding The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Emission
Control Regulation of emission systems, maintenance
and warranty. Replacements may be ordered through
the engine manufacturer.

The engine manufacturer has specified the rated
engine gross horsepower based on SAE
standards/procedures (J1940 and J1995). As
configured to meet safety, emission, and operating
requirements, the actual engine horsepower on this
class of lawn mower will be significantly lower. Do not
tamper with the engine controls or alter the governor
speed; doing so may create an unsafe condition
resulting in personal injury.

m-5607

This manual identifies potential hazards and has
safety messages identified by the following words:

• Danger signals an extreme hazard that will

cause serious injury or death if you do not follow
the recommended precautions.

• Warning signals a hazard that may cause

serious injury or death if you do not follow the
recommended precautions.

• Caution signals a hazard that may cause minor

or moderate injury if you do not follow the
recommended precautions.

This manual uses two other words to highlight
information. Important: calls attention to special
mechanical information and Note: emphasizes
general information worthy of special attention.

Warning

The engine exhaust from this product contains
chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive
harm.

Safety

This lawn mower meets or exceeds the CPSC blade
safety requirements for walk-behind rotary lawn
mowers and the B71.1 specifications of the American
National Standards Institute in effect at the time of
production.

Read and understand the contents of this manual
before the engine is ever started.

This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to
alert you to potential personal injury hazards.
Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol
to avoid possible injury or death.

Improperly using or maintaining this mower
could result in injury or death. To reduce this
potential, comply with the following safety
instructions.

The following instructions have been adapted from
the ANSI/OPEI standard B71.1—2003.

This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands
and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the
following safety instructions could result in serious
injury or death.

 2005—The Toro Company
8111 Lyndale Ave., Bloomington, MN 55420, USA

Printed in the USA

All Rights Reserved

Register your product at www.Toro.com

Original Instructions (EN)

2

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. Keep clear of the discharge opening at
all times.

• Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar
with the instructions, to operate this machine.

• Clear the area of objects such as rocks, wire,
toys, etc., which could be thrown by the blade.
Stay behind the handle when the engine is
running.

• Be sure the area is clear of bystanders before
operating. Stop machine if anyone enters the
area.

• Do not operate machine barefooted or while
wearing sandals. Always wear substantial
footwear.

• Do not pull machine backward unless absolutely
necessary. Always look down and behind before
and while moving backward.

• Never direct discharged material toward anyone.
Avoid discharging material against a wall or
obstruction. Material may ricochet back toward
the operator. Stop the blade when crossing gravel
surfaces.

• Do not operate machine without the entire grass
catcher, discharge guard, rear guard, or other
safety protective devices in place and working.

• Never leave a running machine unattended.

• Stop the engine and wait until the blade comes to

a complete stop before cleaning the machine,
removing grass catcher, or unclogging the
discharge guard.

• Operate machine only in daylight or good artificial
light.

• Do not operate machine while under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.

• Never operate mower in wet grass. Always be
sure of your footing; walk; never run.

• Disengage the drive system, if so equipped,
before starting the engine.

• If the machine should start to vibrate abnormally,
stop the engine and check for the cause
immediately. Vibration is generally a warning of
trouble.

• Always wear eye protection when operating
machine.

• See manufacturer’s instructions for proper
operation and installation of accessories. Only
use accessories approved by the manufacturer.

Slope Operation

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

• Mow across the face of slopes; never up and
down. Exercise extreme caution when changing
direction on slopes.

• Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other
hidden objects. Uneven terrain could cause a slip
and fall accident. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

• Do not mow on wet grass or excessively steep
slopes. Poor footing could cause a slip and fall
accident.

• Do not mow near drop-offs, 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 machine 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.

• Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the
area.

• Never allow children to operate the machine.

• Use extra care when approaching blind corners,

shrubs, trees, or other objects that may block
your view of a child.

Service

Safe Handling of Gasoline

To avoid personal injury or property damage, use
extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is
extremely flammable and the vapors are
explosive.

• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other
sources of ignition.

• Use only an approved gasoline container.

• Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine

running. Allow engine to cool before refueling.

• Never refuel the machine indoors.

• Never store the machine or fuel container where

there is an open flame, spark, or pilot light such
as on a water heater or on other appliances.

3352-550 Rev A

3

• Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck
or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place
containers on the ground away from your vehicle
before filling.

• Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck
or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not
possible, then refuel such equipment with a
portable container, rather than from a gasoline
dispenser nozzle.

• Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel
tank or container opening at all times until fueling
is complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open
device.

• If fuel is spilled on clothing, change clothing
immediately.

• Never overfill fuel tank. Replace gas cap and
tighten securely.

Warning

Exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless,
deadly poison that can kill you.

Do not run the engine indoors or in an enclosed
area.

General Service

• Never operate machine in a closed area.

• Keep all nuts and bolts tight to be sure the

equipment is in safe working condition.

• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their
proper operation regularly.

• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other
debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and
remove any fuel-soaked debris. Allow machine to
cool before storing.

• If you strike a foreign object, stop and inspect the
machine. Repair, if necessary, before starting.

• Never make any adjustments or repairs with the
engine running. Disconnect the spark plug wire
and ground against engine to prevent unintended
starting.

• Check grass catcher components and the
discharge guard frequently and replace with
manufacturer’s recommended parts, when
necessary.

• Mower blades are sharp. Wrap the blade or wear
gloves, and use extra caution when servicing
them.

• Do not change the engine governor setting or
overspeed the engine.

• Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels,
as necessary.

Safety/Instruction Decals

Important: Safety and instruction decals are located near areas of potential danger. Replace damaged decals.

105-1295

105-6838

3352-550 Rev A

4

Product Overview

2

1

9

1. Cutting height lever

2. Oil fill/Dipstick

3. Recoil start handle

4. Blade control bar

5. Self-propel drive bar

3

5

6

7

8

6. Fuel tank cap

7. Air filter

8. Primer

9. Spark plug

4

m-6292a

Setup

Important: Remove and discard the protective plastic

sheet that covers the engine.

Unfolding the Handle

Warning

Folding or unfolding the handle improperly can
damage the cables, causing an unsafe operating
condition.

S Do not damage the cables when folding or

unfolding the handle.

S If a cable is damaged, contact an Authorized

Service Dealer.

1. Carefully move the upper handle forward until the

handle halves are in line and nest together as shown.

1. Grass bag

2. Side discharge chute

1

2

3. Rear discharge plug
(installed)

3

m-5630/m-5637/m-5587

m-5650a

2. Tighten the handle
knobs.

m-6289

3. Rotate the handle rearward (as shown) until it
clicks into place.

m-5650b

3352-550 Rev A

Filling the Engine with Oil

5

Your mower does not come with oil in the engine,
but it does come with a bottle of oil.

1. Remove the dipstick.

m-5604a

m-5571

Before Operating

Danger

Gasoline is extremely flammable and explosive. A fire or explosion from gasoline can
burn you and others.

S To prevent a static charge from igniting the gasoline, place the container and/or

mower directly on the ground before filling, not in a vehicle or on an object.

S Fill the tank outdoors when the engine is cold. Wipe up spills.

S Do not handle gasoline when smoking or around an open flame or sparks.

S Store gasoline in an approved fuel container, out of the reach of children.

2. Slowly pour oil into the oil fill tube until the oil
level reaches the Full line on the dipstick. Do not
overfill. (Max. fill: 20 oz., type: SAE 30W detergent
oil with an API service classification of SF, SG, SH,
SJ, SL, or higher.)

3. Install the dipstick securely.

Important: Change the engine oil after the first
2 operating hours; change it yearly thereafter. Refer

to Changing the Engine Oil on page 11.

Warning

Adjusting the cutting height may bring you into contact with the moving blade, causing
serious injury.

S Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.

S Do not put your fingers under the housing when adjusting the cutting height.

Filling the Fuel Tank

Fill the fuel tank with fresh unleaded regular gasoline
from a major name-brand service station.

Important: To reduce starting problems next season,
add fuel stabilizer to the fuel all season, mixing it with
gasoline less than 30 days old.

1/2 in. (1 cm)

m-5570

m-5604a

3352-550 Rev A