Toro 20073A, 20073 Owner’s Manual

22in Recycler ®Lawn Mower

Model No. 20073--Serial No. 270000001 and Up
Model No. 20073A--Serial No. 270000001 and Up
Model No. 20074_Serial No. 270000001 and Up
Model No. 20074A_Serial No. 270000001 and Up

Introduction

Form No. 3357-441 Rev A

Operator's Manual

Read this information carefully to learn how to operate and
m_nt_n your product properly and to avoid injury and
product damage. You are responsible %r 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 read> Figure 1 identifies the
location of the model and serial numbers on the product.

\

1

Figure 2

1. Safetyalert symbol

This manual uses 2 words to highlight information.
Important calls attention to special mechanical information
and Note emphasizes general information worthy of special

attention.

CALIFORNIA

Proposition 65 Warning

The engine exhaust from this product contains
chemicals known to the State of California to cause

cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

Important: This engine is not equipped with a

spark attester muffler. It is a violation of California
Public Resource Code Section 4442 to use or operate

the 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

G004988

Figure 1

1. Model and serial number plate

\Vrite the product model and serial numbers in the space
below:

Model No.

Serial No.

This manual identifies potential hazards and has safety
messages identified by the safety alert symbol (Fgure 2),
which signals a hazard that may cause serious injury or
death if you do not follow the recommended precautions.

© 2006--The Toro _ Company
8111 Lyndale Avenue South
Bloomington, MN 55420

Register at www.Toro.com. Original Instructions (EN)

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

For models with stated engine horsepower, the gross
horsepower of the engine was laboratory rated by the engine
manufacturer in accordance with SAE J1940. As configured
to meet safeb, emission, and operating requirements, the
actual engine horsepower on this class of lawn mower will
be sgnificantly lower.

Printed in the USA.

All Rights Reserved

Safety

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

Read and understand the contents of this manual
before you start the engine.

The safety alert symbol (Figure 2) 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.t-2003.

This cutting machine can amputate hands and feet and
throw objects. Failure to observe the following safety
instructions could result in serious injury or death.

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 runnin&

• Be sure the area is clear of bystanders before operatin&
Stop machine if awone enters the area.

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

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

• Never direct discharged material toward awone. 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 worMng.

• 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 daylght 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 immediatel>
Vibration is generally a warning of troul)le.

• 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 injur> 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 l'ridden
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.

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

• Use only an approved gasoline container.

• Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine
running. Allow engine to cool be_re refueling.

Never refuel the machine indoors.
Never store the machine or fuel cont_ner where there

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

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
immediatel3=

Never overfill fuel tank. Replace gas cap and tighten
securel3:

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

Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as
necessary.

Safety and Instructional Decals

Important: Safety and instruction decals are located

near areas of potential danger. Replace damaged
decals.

Manufacturer's Mark

1. Indicates the blade is identified as a part from the original machine
manufacturer.

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 regularl3:
Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debris

build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and remove
aW fuel-soaked debris. Allow machine to cool before
storing.

If you strike a foreign object, stop and inspect the
machine. Repair, if necessar 5 before starting.

Never make aW adjustments or repairs with the engine
runnin& 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 necessar7

94-8072

104-7402

Model 20074 only

A, CUIDADO:

A A'I-I'ENTION:

104-7403

Model 20074 only

O O

104-7953

Models 20074 and 20074A only

1.

Warning--read the Operator's Manual for information on charging the battery; contains lead; do not discard.

2.

Read the Operator's Manual.

105-1295

108-4791

Models 20074 and 20074A only

108-8191

Model 20074A only

108-8192

Model 20074A only

112-8868

Setup

Important: Remove and discard the protective

plastic sheet that covers the engine.

1. Unfolding the Handle

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

condition.

Do not damage the cables when folding or
unfolding the handle.

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, and tighten
the handle knobs ( Figure 3).

A

/

\

G005039

Figure 3

.

Squeeze the lower handle together and move the handle
rearward until it clicks into the operating position

(Figure 4).

G005040

Figure 4

2. Filling the Engine with Oil

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

1. Remove the dipstick (Figure 5).

G004992

Figure 5

.

Slowly pour oil into the oil fill tube until the oil level
reaches the Full line on the dipstick (Figure 5). Do not
overfill. (Max. fill: 20 oz., type: SAE 30\V detergent

oil with an API service classification of SF, SG, SH, SJ,
SL, or higher.)

3. Install the dipstick securel3:

G005041

Figure 6

.

Insert the fuse into the fuse holder (Figure 7).

G002878

Figure 7

Note: Your mower comes with a fuse in the owner's

packet and another fuse in the battery box.

.

Install the battery cover.

Important: Change the engine oil after the first 2

operating hours; change it yearly thereafter. Refer
to Changing the Engine OiL

3. Installing the Fuse

Models 20074 and 20074A only

Your mower comes with a 40-amp fuse that protects the
electric starter.

Important: You cannot start the mower with the

electric starter or charge the battery unless you install
the fuse.

1. Unclip both ends of the battery cover and remove it

(Figure 6).

4. Charging the Battery

Models 20074 and 20074A only
Refer to Charging the Batter?: in the Maintenance section.