Toro TimeMaster 20975, TimeMaster 20977 Operator's Manual

FormNo.3381-266RevA

1

G017280

TimeMaster76cmLawnMower

ModelNo.20975—SerialNo.314000001andUp

ModelNo.20977—SerialNo.314000001andUp

Operator'sManual

Introduction

Thisrotary-blade,walk-behindlawnmowerisintended
tobeusedbyresidentialhomeowners.Itisdesigned
primarilyforcuttinggrassonwell-maintainedlawns
onresidentialproperties.Itisnotdesignedforcutting
brushorforagriculturaluses.

Readthisinformationcarefullytolearnhowtooperateand
maintainyourmachineproperlyandtoavoidinjuryand
equipmentdamage.Y ouareresponsibleforoperatingthe
machineproperlyandsafely.

YoumaycontactTorodirectlyatwww .Toro.comforproduct
andaccessoryinformation,helpndingadealer,ortoregister
yourproduct.

Wheneveryouneedservice,genuineToroparts,oradditional
information,contactanAuthorizedServiceDealerorToro
CustomerServiceandhavethemodelandserialnumbersof
yourmachineready.Figure1identiesthelocationofthe
modelandserialnumbersontheproduct.Writethenumbers
inthespaceprovided.

Figure2

1.Safetyalertsymbol

Thismanualuses2wordstohighlightinformation.
Importantcallsattentiontospecialmechanicalinformation
andNoteemphasizesgeneralinformationworthyofspecial
attention.

ThisproductcomplieswithallrelevantEuropeandirectives.
Fordetails,seetheseparateproduct-specicDeclarationof
Conformity(DOC)sheet.

Formodelswithstatedenginehorsepower,thegross
horsepoweroftheenginewaslaboratoryratedbytheengine
manufacturerinaccordancewithSAEJ1940.Ascongured
tomeetsafety,emission,andoperatingrequirements,the
actualenginehorsepoweronthisclassoflawnmowerwill
besignicantlylower.

Donottamperwiththeenginecontrolsoralterthegovernor
speed;doingsomaycreateanunsafeconditionresultingin
personalinjury.

Figure1

1.Modelandserialnumberplate

ModelNo.

SerialNo.

Thismanualidentiespotentialhazardsandhassafety
messagesidentiedbythesafetyalertsymbol(Figure2),
whichsignalsahazardthatmaycauseseriousinjuryordeath
ifyoudonotfollowtherecommendedprecautions.

©2013—TheToro®Company
8111LyndaleAvenueSouth
Bloomington,MN55420

Registeratwww.T oro.com.

Contents

Introduction..................................................................1

GeneralLawnMowerSafety.....................................2

SoundPressure......................................................3

SoundPower..........................................................3

Hand/ArmVibration..............................................3

SafetyandInstructionalDecals.................................4

Setup............................................................................5

1AssemblingtheHandle..........................................5

2InstallingtheBlade-controlBar...............................5

3FillingtheEnginewithOil......................................6

4ChargingtheBattery..............................................6

ProductOverview..........................................................7

Specications.........................................................8

Operation.....................................................................8

FillingtheFuelTank................................................8

CheckingtheEngineOilLevel..................................9

AdjustingtheCuttingHeight....................................9

AdjustingtheHandleHeight....................................10

StartingtheEngine.................................................10

UsingtheSelf-propelDrive......................................11

StoppingtheEngine...............................................11

OriginalInstructions(EN)

PrintedintheUSA

AllRightsReserved

*3381-266*A

EngagingtheBlade.................................................12

DisengagingtheBlade.............................................12

CheckingtheBlade-stopSystemOperation................12

RecyclingtheClippings...........................................13

BaggingtheClippings.............................................13

Side-dischargingtheClippings..................................14

OperatingTips......................................................15

Maintenance.................................................................16

RecommendedMaintenanceSchedule(s)......................16

PreparingforMaintenance.......................................16

ServicingtheAirFilter............................................17

ChangingtheEngineOil.........................................17

ChargingtheBattery...............................................18

ReplacingtheFuse..................................................19

ReplacingtheBattery..............................................19

AdjustingtheSelf-propelDriveCable........................20

ServicingtheBlade-driveSystem..............................20

ServicingtheCuttingBlades.....................................21

WashingUnderneaththeMachine.............................23

Storage........................................................................24

GeneralInformation...............................................24

PreparingtheFuelSystem.......................................24

PreparingtheEngine..............................................25

RemovingtheMachinefromStorage.........................25

•Neverallowchildrenorpeopleunfamiliarwiththese

instructionstousethemower.Localregulationscan
restricttheageoftheoperator.

•Keepinmindthattheoperatororuserisresponsiblefor

accidentsorhazardsoccurringtootherpeopleortheir
property.

•Understandexplanationsforallpictogramsusedonthe

mowerorintheinstructions.

Gasoline

WARNING!Gasolineishighlyammable.Takethe
followingprecautions.

•Storefuelincontainersspecicallydesignedforthis

purpose.

•Refueloutdoorsonlyanddonotsmokewhilerefueling.

•Addfuelbeforestartingtheengine.Neverremovethe

capofthefueltankoraddgasolinewhiletheengineis
runningorwhentheengineishot.

•Ifgasolineisspilled,donotattempttostarttheengine

butmovethemowerawayfromtheareaofspillageand
avoidcreatinganysourceofignitionuntilgasolinevapors
havedissipated.

•Replaceallfueltankandcontainercapssecurely.

Safety

Improperlyusingormaintainingthismowercanresult
ininjury.T oreducethepotentialforinjury,complywith
thesesafetyinstructions.

Torodesignedandtestedthismachineforreasonablysafe
service;however,failuretocomplywiththefollowing
instructionsmayresultinpersonalinjury.

Toensuremaximumsafety,bestperformance,and
togainknowledgeoftheproduct,itisessentialthat
youandanyotheroperatorofthemowerreadand
understandthecontentsofthismanualbeforethe
engineiseverstarted.Payparticularattentiontothe
safetyalertsymbol(
Warning,orDanger—“personalsafetyinstruction.”
Readandunderstandtheinstructionbecauseithasto
dowithsafety.Failuretocomplywiththeinstruction
mayresultinpersonalinjury.

GeneralLawnMowerSafety

ThefollowinginstructionshavebeenadaptedfromEN836.

Thiscuttingmachineiscapableofamputatinghandsandfeet
andofthrowingobjects.Failuretoobservethefollowing
safetyinstructionscouldresultinseriousinjuryordeath.

Training

•Readtheinstructionscarefully .Befamiliarwiththe

controlsandtheproperuseoftheequipment.

Figure2),whichmeansCaution,

Preparation

•Whilemowing,alwayswearsubstantialfootwearandlong

trousers.Donotoperatetheequipmentwhenbarefoot
orwearingopensandals.

•Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentisto

beusedandremoveallstones,sticks,wires,bones,and
otherforeignobjects.

•Beforeusing,alwaysvisuallyinspecttoseethatguards,

andsafetydevices,suchasdeectorsand/orgrass
catchers,areinplaceandworkingcorrectly.

•Beforeusing,alwaysvisuallyinspecttoseethatthe

blades,bladebolts,andcutterassemblyarenotwornor
damaged.Replacewornordamagedbladesandboltsin
setstopreservebalance.

Starting

•Donottiltthemowerwhenstartingtheengineunlessthe

mowerhastobetiltedforstarting.Inthiscase,donot
tiltitmorethanabsolutelynecessary,andliftonlythepart
whichisawayfromtheoperator.

•Starttheenginecarefullyaccordingtoinstructionsand

withfeetwellawayfromtheblade(s)andnotinfrontof
thedischargechute.

Operation

•Nevermowwhilepeople,especiallychildren,orpetsare

nearby.

•Mowonlyindaylightoringoodarticiallight.

•Stayalertforholesintheterrainandotherhiddenhazards.

2

•Donotputhandsorfeetnearorunderrotatingparts.

Keepclearofthedischargeopeningatalltimes.

•Neverpickuporcarryalawnmowerwhiletheengineis

running.

•Neverstoretheequipmentwithgasolineinthetankand

insideabuildingwherefumescanreachanopename
orspark.

•Allowtheenginetocoolbeforestoringinanyenclosure.

•Useextremecautionwhenreversingorpullinga

pedestrian-controlledlawnmowertowardsyou.

•Walk,neverrun.

•Slopes:

–Donotmowexcessivelysteepslopes.

–Exerciseextremecautionwhenonslopes.

–Mowacrossthefaceofslopes,neverupanddown,

andexerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirection
onslopes.

–Alwaysbesureofyourfootingonslopes.

•Reducespeedonslopesandinsharpturnstoprevent

overturningorlossofcontrol.

•Stopthebladeifthelawnmowerhastobetiltedfor

transportationwhencrossingsurfacesotherthangrass
andwhentransportingthelawnmowertoandfromthe
areatobemowed.

•Donotoperatetheengineinaconnedspacewhere

dangerouscarbonmonoxidefumescancollect.

•Stoptheengine

•Toreducetherehazard,keeptheengine,silencer,

batterycompartmentandgasolinestorageareafreeof
grass,leaves,orexcessivegrease.

•Checkgrasscatchercomponentsandthedischargeguard

frequently,andreplacewithmanufacturer'srecommended
parts,whennecessary.

•Replacewornordamagedpartsforsafety.

•Replacefaultysilencers.

•Ifthefueltankhastobedrained,dothisoutdoors.

•Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingsoroverspeed

theengine.Operatinganengineatexcessivespeedcan
increasethehazardofpersonalinjury.

•Becarefulduringadjustmentofthelawnmowerto

prevententrapmentofthengersbetweenmovingblades
andxedpartsofthelawnmower.

•Toensurethebestperformanceandsafety,

purchaseonlygenuineT ororeplacementpartsand
accessories.Donotuse
theymaycauseasafetyhazard.

will t

partsandaccessories;

–wheneveryouleavethelawnmower.

–beforerefueling.

–beforeremovingthegrasscatcher.

–beforemakingheightadjustmentunlessadjustment

canbemadefromtheoperator'sposition.

•Stoptheengineanddisconnectthespark-plugwire

–beforeclearingblockagesoruncloggingchute.

–beforechecking,cleaningorworkingonthelawn

mower.

–afterstrikingaforeignobject,inspectthelawnmower

fordamageandmakerepairsbeforestartingand
operatingthelawnmower.

–iflawnmowerstartstovibrateabnormally(check

immediately).

•Lightningcancausesevereinjuryordeath.Ifyousee

lightningorhearthunderinthearea,donotoperatethe
machine;seekshelter.

•Watchoutfortrafcwhencrossingornearroadways.

MaintenanceandStorage

SoundPressure

Thisunithasasoundpressurelevelattheoperator’searof89
dBA,whichincludesanUncertaintyValue(K)of1dBA.

Thesoundpressurelevelwasdeterminedaccordingtothe
proceduresoutlinedinEN836.

SoundPower

Thisunithasaguaranteedsoundpowerlevelof100dBA,
whichincludesanUncertaintyValue(K)of1dBA.

Thesoundpowerlevelwasdeterminedaccordingtothe
proceduresoutlinedinISO11094.

Hand/ArmVibration

Measuredvibrationlevelforrighthand=7.5m/s

Measuredvibrationlevelforlefthand=5.5m/s

UncertaintyValue(K)=3.0m/s2

Measuredvaluesweredeterminedaccordingtotheprocedures
outlinedinEN836.

•Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrewstighttobesurethatthe

equipmentisinsafeworkingcondition.

•Donotusepressure-cleaningequipmentonmachine.

3

SafetyandInstructionalDecals

Important:Safetyandinstructiondecalsarelocatednearareasofpotentialdanger.Replacedamageddecals.

Manufacturer'sMark

1.Indicatesthebladeisidentiedasapartfromtheoriginal
machinemanufacturer.

104-7953

Electric-startmodelonly

1.Warning—readtheOperator'sManualforinformationonchargingthebattery;containslead;donotdiscard.

2.ReadtheOperator'sManual.

108-9751

Electric-startmodelonly

1.Engine—stop3.Engine—start

2.Engine—run

112-8760

1.Thrownobjecthazard—keepbystandersasafedistance
fromthemachine.

2.Cutting/dismembermentofhandorfoot—stayawayfrom
movingparts.

114-7982

1.Warning—readtheOperator'sManual.

2.Thrownobjecthazard—keepbystandersasafedistance
fromthemachine.

3.Cutting/dismembermenthazardofhandorfoot,mower
blade—disconnectthespark-plugwireandreadthe
instructionsbeforeservicingorperformingmaintenance.

4.Cutting/dismembermenthazardofhandorfoot,mower
blade—stayawayfrommovingparts.

5.Cutting/dismembermenthazardofhandorfoot,mower
blade—donotoperateupanddownslopes;operatesideto
sideonslopes;stoptheenginebeforeleavingtheoperating
position;andlookbehindyouwhenbackingup.

120-9570

1.Warning—stayawayfrommovingparts,keepallguards
andshieldsinplace.

4

Setup

1

G016547

2

1

G016551

Important:Removeanddiscardtheprotectiveplastic
sheetthatcoverstheengine.

1

AssemblingtheHandle

NoPartsRequired

Procedure

WARNING

Assemblingandunfoldingthehandleimproperly
candamagethecables,causinganunsafeoperating
condition.

•Donotdamagethecableswhenunfoldingthe
handle.

•Ifacableisdamaged,contactanAuthorized
ServiceDealer.

1.Rotatetheupperhandlesothatitneststogetherwith
thelowerhandle(Figure3),andtightenbothknobson
thehandletolocktheupperhandleinplace(Figure4).

Figure4

1.Handle-locklever

2.Releasethehandle-locklever(Figure4).

3.Pullthehandlerearwardandlockitintoposition
(Figure4).

2

InstallingtheBlade-control Bar

NoPartsRequired

Procedure

Installtheblade-controlbarintotheupperhandle(Figure5).

Figure3

1.Upperhandle

2.Knob(2)

5

G017217

Figure5

G017514

3

FillingtheEnginewithOil

Partsneededforthisprocedure:

0.59lEngineoil

Figure6

3.Wipeoffthedipstickendwithacleancloth.

4.Insertthedipstickintotheoil-lltube,andscrewit
inuntilitstops.

5.Removethedipstickandreadtheoillevelonthe
dipstick;refertoFigure7.

Figure7

Procedure

Important:Thismachine

engine.Beforestartingtheengine,lltheenginewith
oil.

1.Movethemachinetoalevelsurface.

2.Removethedipstick(Figure6)andpourabout3/4of
thecrankcasecapacityofoilintotheoil-lltube.

Note:Max.ll:0.59l(20oz.),type:SAE30detergent
oilwithanAPIserviceclassicationofSF,SG,SH,
SJ,SL,orhigher.

does not

comewithoilinthe

1.Theoillevelistoolow;
addoiltothecrankcase.

2.Theoillevelistoohigh;
removeoilfromthe
crankcase.

3.Theoilleveliscorrect.

•Iftheoillevelistoolow,addasmallamountofoil

slowlytotheoil-lltube,andthenrepeatsteps
3through5untiltheoilleveliscorrectasshown
inFigure7.

•Iftheoillevelistoohigh,draintheexcessoiluntil

youobtainthecorrectoillevelonthedipstick.To
draintheexcessoil,refertoChangingtheEngine
Oil(page17).

Important:Iftheoillevelinthecrankcaseis
toolowortoohighandyouruntheengine,
youmaydamagetheengine.

6.Installthedipsticksecurelybyhand.

6

4

2

14

1

13

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

g016439

15

16

2

1

3

4

g017218

ChargingtheBattery

NoPartsRequired

Procedure

Electric-startmodelonly

RefertoChargingtheBattery(page18).

ProductOverview

Figure8

1.Side-dischargedeector

2.Sparkplug10.Battery(notshown;

3.Dipstick/oil-lltube(not
shown)

4.Recoil-starthandle

5.Fuel-tankcap13.Fuse

6.Handle-locklever

7.Handleknob(2)

8.Upperhandle16.Frontcutting-heightlever

9.Ignitionswitch

electric-startmodelonly)

11.Rearcutting-heightlever

12.Rear-dischargedeector

14.Airlter

15.Washoutport

Figure9

Upperhandle

1.Traction-assisthandle3.Blade-controlbar

2.Blade-controlbarlock4.Ignitionswitch

7

g017219

1

2

34

Figure10

1.Grassbag3.Side-dischargechute

2.Rear-dischargeplug
(installed)

4.Batterycharger
(electric-startmodelonly)

Operation

FillingtheFuelTank

RecommendedFuel:

•Forbestresults,useonlyclean,fresh(lessthan30days

old),unleadedgasolinewithanoctaneratingof87or
higher((R+M)/2ratingmethod).

•Ethanol:Gasolinewithupto10%ethanol(gasohol)

or15%MTBE(methyltertiarybutylether)byvolume
isacceptable.EthanolandMTBEarenotthesame.
Gasolinewith15%ethanol(E15)byvolumeisnot
approvedforuse.Neverusegasolinethatcontains
morethan10%ethanolbyvolume,suchasE15
(contains15%ethanol),E20(contains20%ethanol),or
E85(containsupto85%ethanol).Usingunapproved
gasolinemaycauseperformanceproblemsand/orengine
damagewhichmaynotbecoveredunderwarranty.

•Donotusegasolinecontainingmethanol.

•Donotstorefueleitherinthefueltankorfuelcontainers

overthewinterunlessafuelstabilizerisused.

Specications

ModelWeightLengthWidthHeight

2097562kg

(137lb)

2097765kg

(143lb)

163cm

(64in)

163cm

(64in)

•Donotaddoiltogasoline.

Important:Toreducestartingproblems,addfuel

81cm
(32in)

81cm
(32in)

112cm

(44in)

112cm

(44in)

stabilizertothefuelallseason,mixingitwithgasoline
lessthan30daysold;runthemachinedrybeforestoring
itformorethan30days.

Donotusefueladditivesotherthanafuel
stabilizer/conditioner.Donotusefuelstabilizers
withanalcoholbasesuchasethanol,methanol,or
isopropanol.

DANGER

Gasolineisextremelyammableandexplosive.A
reorexplosionfromgasolinecanburnyouand
others.

•Topreventastaticchargefromignitingthe
gasoline,placethecontainerand/ormachine
directlyonthegroundbeforelling,notina
vehicleoronanobject.

•Fillthetankoutdoorswhentheengineiscold.
Wipeupspills.

•Donothandlegasolinewhensmokingoraround
anopenameorsparks.

•Storegasolineinanapprovedfuelcontainer,out
ofthereachofchildren.

1.Cleanaroundthefuel-tankcap,andremovethecap
fromthetank(Figure11).

8

1/4 inch (6 mm)

G017515

G017514

Figure13

Figure11

2.Fillthefueltank,leavingatleast6mm(1/4inch)from
thebottomoftheneckemptytoallowthegasoline
roomtoexpand.

3.Installthefueltankcapandtightenitsecurelybyhand.

CheckingtheEngineOilLevel

ServiceInterval:Beforeeachuseordaily

Max.ll:0.59l(20oz.),type:SAE30detergentoilwithan
APIserviceclassicationofSF,SG,SH,SJ,SL,orhigher.

1.Movethemachinetoalevelsurface.

2.Removethedipstick(Figure12).

1.Theoillevelistoolow;
addoiltothecrankcase.

2.Theoillevelistoohigh;
removeoilfromthe
crankcase.

3.Theoilleveliscorrect.

•Iftheoillevelistoolow,addasmallamountofoil

slowlytotheoil-lltube,andthenrepeatsteps
3through5untiltheoilleveliscorrectasshown
inFigure7.

•Iftheoillevelistoohigh,draintheexcessoiluntil

youobtainthecorrectoillevelonthedipstick;to
draintheexcessoil,refertoChangingtheEngine
Oil(page17)

.

Important:Iftheoillevelinthecrankcaseis
toolowortoohighandyouruntheengine,
youmaydamagetheengine.

6.Installthedipsticksecurelybyhand.

AdjustingtheCuttingHeight

WARNING

Adjustingthecuttingheightmaybringyouinto
contactwiththemovingblades,causingserious
injury.

Figure12

3.Wipeoffthedipstickendwithacleancloth.

4.Insertthedipstickintotheoil-lltubeandscrewitin
untilitstops.

5.Removethedipstickandreadtheoillevel;referto
Figure13.

•Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingparts
tostop.

•Donotputyourngersunderthehousingwhen
adjustingthecuttingheight.

Adjustthecuttingheightasdesired;refertoFigure14and
Figure15.

Note:Toraisethemachine,movethefrontandrearcutting
heightleversforward;tolowerthemachine,movethecutting
heightleversrearward.Setthefrontandrearwheelstothe
sameheightunlessspecialcircumstancesrequireotherwise;
referto

OperatingTips(page15).

9