Troybilt 834, 12AV834Q711 Owner’s Manual

Safety oAssembly oOperation o Adjustments oMaintenance oTroubleshooting o Parts Lists oWarranty

®

21-inch Rotary Lawn Mower- Model 834

READ SAFETY RULES AND mNSTRUCTmONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION

Warning: This unitis equippedwithan internalcombustionengineandshouldnotbeusedon or nearanyunimprovedforest-covered,brush=
coveredor grass=coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwithasparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalorstatelaws(ifany),

If a sparkarresterisused,it shouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderbythe operator,Inthe StateofCaliforniatheaboveisrequiredbylaw
(Section4442ofthe CaliforniaPublicResourcesCode),Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws,Federallawsapplyonfederallands,A sparkarrester

forthe mufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealeror contacttheservicedepartment,RO,Box361131Cleveland,
Ohio44136=0019,

FORMNO,769=02163

PRINTEDINU,S,A MTD LLC, P.O.BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019 12/15/2005

This Operator's Manua_ is an important part of your new lawn mower. JtwH_ he_p you assembJe,

prepare, and maintain the unit for best performance. P_ease read and understand what it says.

Table of Contents

SJope Gauge ....................................................... 3

Safe Operation Practices ................................... 4

Setup and Adjustment ....................................... 6

Operating Your Lawn Mower .............................. 8

Maintaining Your Lawn Mower ......................... 10

Finding and Recording Model Number

BEFOREASSEMBLING YOUR NEW EQUIPMENT,phase
locate the model plateon theequipmentand copythe infor-

mationto the sampb modelplate providedtothe right.You
can locatethe modelplate by standingat the operatingposi-

tionand lookingdownat the rearof the deck. Thisinformation
wiiIbe necessaryto use the manufacturer'sweb siteand/or

obtainassistancefrom the CustomerSupport Departmentor
anauthorized servicedeabr.

Troub{eshooting ................................................ 14

Safety Labels .................................................... 15

Parts List ........................................................... 16

Warranty ............................................ Back Cover

Model Number Serial Number

O TPZ;H# B#LT" TRo¥-o LTLc

www.troybimt.com CLEVELAND,DH44136

P. O. BOX 361131

330-558-7220

Customer Support

P_ease DO NOT return the unit to the retai_er from which it was purchased, without first

contacting Customer Support.

Ifyou havedifficulty assemblingthis productor have any questions regardingthe controls,operation,or maintenanceof this
unit,youcan seekhelpfromthe experts.Choose from the options below:

1. Visit www.troybilt.com

2. Phonea CustomerSupport Representativeat 1-866-840-6483.

3. The engine manufactureris responsible for all engine-relatedissues with regardsto performance,power-rating,specifica-
tions,warranty,and service. Pleasereferto the engine manufacturer'sOwner's/Operator's Manual,packed separatelywith
your unit, for more information.

2

yourlawnmoweronsuchslopes.

/

t

/

/

/

/

/

o

WARNING

w_

Do not mowon inclines

with a dope in excess

of 15 degrees (a rise

of approximately

2-"

feet). A riding r
couldoverturnand

cause serious injury.

if operatinga walb
behindmoweron such

a dope, it isextremely

footing and you could

dip, resultingin serious
injury.

OperateRiDiNG
mowersupand down

dopes, neveracross

o

3

theface of dopes.

Operate
WALK-BEHIND

mowersacrossthe

face of dopes, never

up and down slopes.

\

manual.Aswithanytypeofpowerequipment,carelessnessorerroronthepartoftheoperatorcan

resultinseriousinjury.Thismachineiscapableofamputatinghandsandfeetandthrowingobjects.

! Failuretoobservethefollowingsafetyinstructionscouldresultinseriousinjuryordeath.

Children

Tragicaccidentscan occurifoperatorisnotalertto presence
ofchildren.Childrenare oftenattractedto mowerandmowing

activity.Theydonot understandthe dangers.Neverassume
thatchildrenwill remainwhereyoulastsawthem.

1. Keepchildrenoutofthe mowingareaandunderwatchful
careof aresponsibleadultotherthanthe operator.

2. Bealert andturnmoweroff ifachildentersthearea.

3. Beforeandwhilemovingbackwards,lookbehindanddown
forsmallchildren.

4. Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,
doorways,shrubs,trees,orotherobjectsthatmayobscure
yourvisionofa childwho mayrun intothemower.

5. Keepchildrenawayfromhotorrunningengines.Theycan
sufferburnsfroma hotmuffler.

6. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldto operatea power
mower.Children14yearsold andovershouldreadand
understandoperationinstructionsandsafetyrulesinthis
manualandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbyaparent.

endangerthepersonal
safetyand/orproperty

and followthewarnings 5. Tohelpavoidbladecontactora thrownobjectinjury, ._ generallya'_arningof!rouble.........

and i..struction2 stayinoperatorzone behindhandlesandkeepchildren, "

u _ competestop beforeremovngthe grasscatcheror uncog

, ,; bystanders,helpers,andpetsat least75feet frommower .

un_nusmanuau glngthechute

1. Readthis operator'smanualcarefullyin its entiretybefore

2. Thismachineisaprecisionpieceof powerequipment,

3. Neverallowchildrenunder 14yearsold to operatethis

4. Thoroughlyinspecttheareawherethe equipmentisto

General Operation

attemptingtoassemblethismachine.Read,understand,
andfollow allinstructionsonthe machineandin the

manual(s)beforeoperation.Becompletelyfamiliarwith
thecontrolsandthe properuseof thismachinebefore
operatingit.Keepthismanualin asafeplaceforfuture
andregularreferenceandfor orderingreplacementparts.

nota plaything.Therefore,exerciseextremecautionat all
times.Yourunithasbeendesignedto performonejob: to
mowgrass.Do notuseitfor anyotherpurpose.

machine.Children14yearsoldand overshouldreadand
understandthe instructionsinthis manualandshould

betrainedand supervisedbya parent.Onlyresponsible
individualswhoarefamiliarwiththese rulesof safe

operationshouldbeallowedtousethis machine.

beused.Removeall stones,sticks,wire,bones,toysand
otherforeignobjectswhichcould betripped overor picked
upand thrownbythe blade.Thrownobjectscancause
seriouspersonalinjury.Planyourmowingpatternto avoid
dischargeofmaterialtowardroads,sidewalks,bystanders
andthe like.Also,avoiddischargingmaterialagainsta
wallorobstructionwhichmaycausedischargedmaterial
toricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

whileit isin operation.Stopmachineifanyoneenters

6. Alwayswearsafetyglassesor safetygogglesduringopera-
tionandwhileperforminganadjustmentor repairtoprotect
youreyes.Thrownobjectswhich ricochetcancauseserious
injurytothe eyes.

7. Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesand close-fitting
slacksandshirts. Shirtsand pantsthatcoverthe armsand
legsandsteel-toedshoesare recommended.Neveroperate
thismachinein barefeet,sandals, slipperyor lightweight
(e.g.canvas)shoes.

8. Do notputhands orfeetnearrotatingpartsor undercutting
deck.Contactwithbladecanamputatehandsandfeet.

9. A missingordamageddischargecovercancauseblade
contactor thrownobject injuries.

10.Manyinjuriesoccurasa resultofthe mowerbeingpulled
overthefoot duringafall causedby slippingortripping.
Do notholdonto the mowerifyouarefalling;releasethe
handleimmediately.

11.Neverpullthe mowerbacktowardyouwhileyouare
walking.Ifyou mustbackthe mowerawayfromawallor
obstructionfirstlookdownandbehindtoavoidtrippingand
thenfollow thesesteps:

a. Stepbackfrommowertofully extendyour arms.
b. Be sureyou arewellbalancedwithsure footing.

c. Pullthe mowerbackslowly,no morethanhalfway

towardyou.

d. Repeatthesestepsasneeded.

12.Donotoperatethe mowerwhileunderthe influenceof
alcoholor drugs.

13.Donotengage theself-propelledmechanismon unitsso
equippedwhilestartingengine.

14.Thebladecontrolhandleis asafetydevice.Neverattempt
tobypassits operation.Doingso makesthesafetydevice
inoperativeandmay resultinpersonal injurythrough
contactwiththe rotatingblade.The bladecontrolhandle
mustoperateeasilyin bothdirectionsandautomatically
returntothe disengagedpositionwhenreleased.

15.Neveroperatethe mowerinwetgrass. Alwaysbesure of
yourfooting. A slipand fallcan causeseriouspersonal
injury.If youfeelyouare losingyourfooting,releasethe
bladecontrolhandleimmediatelyandthe bladewillstop
rotatingwithinthreeseconds.

16.Mowonlyindaylightor goodartificiallight.Walk,neverrun.

17.Stopthe bladewhencrossinggraveldrives,walksor roads.

18.Ifthe equipmentshouldstart tovibrateabnormally,stopthe
engineandcheck immediatelyforthecause.Vibrationis

]_ _nutthe engne errandwar unl: me Daaecomes-coa

and on the machine, area.

..... ,J

4

Thecuttingbladecontinuesto rotatefora fewseconds after
the engineisshutoff. Neverplaceanypart ofthe bodyin
the bladeareauntilyou aresurethe blade hasstopped

rotating.

20.Neveroperatemowerwithoutpropertrailshield,discharge
cover,grasscatcher,bladecontrolhandle,or othersafety

protectivedevicesin placeandworking.Neveroperate
mowerwithdamagedsafetydevices.Failuretodo socan
resultin personalinjury.

21.Mufflerandenginebecomehotand cancauseaburn.Do

nottouch.

22.Onlyuseparts andaccessoriesmadefor thismachineby

manufacturer.Failureto dosocanresult inpersonalinjury.

23.Ifsituationsoccurwhichare not coveredinthis manual,

usecareand goodjudgment.Contactyourdealerfor
assistance.Telephone[phone]forthe nameofyour

nearestdealer.

SJope Operation

Slopesareamajorfactorrelatedto slipandfallaccidentswhich
canresultinsevereinjury.Operationonslopesrequiresextra

caution.Ifyoufeel uneasyonaslope,donotmowit.Foryour
safety,usethe slopegaugeincludedas partofthis manualto
measureslopesbeforeoperatingthisunitona slopedor hilly
area.Iftheslopeis greaterthan15degrees,donotmowit.

Do:

1. Mowacrossthefaceof slopes;neverup anddown.

Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirectionon
slopes.

2. Watchfor holes,ruts,rocks,hiddenobjects,or bumpswhich
can causeyou toslipor trip.Tallgrasscan hideobstacles.

3. Alwaysbesure ofyourfooting.A slip andfallcan cause

seriouspersonalinjury.If youfeelyouarelosingyour
balance,releasetheblade controlhandleimmediately,and

the bladewillstop rotatingwithin3seconds.

Do Not:

1. Do notmowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments,where
you couldloseyour footingorbalance.

2. Do notmowslopesgreaterthan 15degreesasshownon
the slopegauge.

3. Do notmowon wetgrass. Unstablefootingcouldcause

slipping.

Service

Safe HandlingOf Gaso%e:

1. Toavoidpersonalinjuryor propertydamageuseextreme
carein handlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammable

andthevaporsare explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan
occurwhengasolineis spilledonyourselforyour clothes

whichcanignite.

2. Washyour skinand changeclothesimmediately.

3. Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.

4. Neverfill containersinsidea vehicleor onatruckor trailer

bedwith a plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainerson the
groundawayfromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

5. Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruck ortrailer

andrefuelit on theground.Ifthisis notpossible,then refuel
suchequipmentonatrailerwitha portablecontainer,rather

thanfroma gasolinedispensernozzle.

6. Keepthe nozzlein contactwith therim ofthefueltank or
containeropeningat alltimesuntilfuelingis complete.Do

notusea nozzlelock-opendevice.

7. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars, pipesandothersources
ofignition.

8. Neverfuel machineindoorsbecauseflammablevaporswill
accumulatein the area.

9. Neverremovegascap oradd fuelwhileengineishot or
running. Allowengineto coolat leasttwominutesbefore
refueling.

10.Neveroverfillfueltank. Filltankto nomorethan_ inch
belowbottomof fillerneckto provideforfuelexpansion.

11.Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

12.Ifgasolineis spilled,wipe it offthe engineandequipment.
Moveunitto anotherarea.Wait5minutesbeforestarting
engine.

13.Neverstorethemachineorfuel containernearanopen
flame,sparkorpilot lightas onawater heater,space
heater,furnace,clothesdryer,orothergas appliances.

14.Toreducefire hazard,keepmowerfreeofgrass, leaves,
or otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanupoil orfuel spillageand
removeanyfuel soakeddebris.

15.Allowamowertocool at least5 minutesbeforestoring.

General Service:

1. Neverrunanengineindoorsor inapoorlyventilatedarea.
Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,an odorlessand
deadlygas.

2. Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspecting,makecertainthe
bladeandall movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthe
sparkplugwireandgroundagainsttheengineto prevent

unintendedstarting.

3. Checkthebladeandenginemountingboltsatfrequent
intervalsfor propertightness.Also,visuallyinspectbladefor
damage(e.g.,bent,cracked,worn)Replacebladewiththe
originalequipmentmanufacture's(O.EM.) bladeonly,listed
inthismanual."Useofpartswhichdo notmeettheoriginal
equipmentspecificationsmayleadto improperperformance
andcompromisesafety!"

4. Mowerbladesaresharpandcan cut.Wrapthebladeorwear
gloves,anduseextracautionwhenservicingthem.

5. Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrewstightto besurethe equip-
mentisin safeworkingcondition.

6. Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheirproperopera-
tionregularly.

7. Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stopthe engine,discon-
nectthe sparkplugwireandgroundagainsttheengine.
Thoroughlyinspectthemowerforanydamage.Repairthe
damagebeforestartingandoperatingthemower.

8. Neverattempttomakeawheelorcutting heightadjustment
whiletheengineis running.

9. Grasscatchercomponents,dischargecover,and trail
shieldaresubjecttowear anddamagewhichcould expose
movingpartsorallow objectsto bethrown.Forsafety
protection,frequentlycheckcomponentsand replaceim-
mediatelywithoriginal equipmentmanufacturer's(O.EM.)
partsonly,listedin this manual."Useof partswhich do
not meettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto
improperperformanceandcompromisesafety!"

10.Donot changetheenginegovernorsettingor overspeedthe
engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthemaximumsafeoperating
speedofthe engine.

11.Maintainorreplacesafetylabels,asnecessary'.

12.Observeproperdisposallawsand regulations.Improper
disposaloffluidsand materialscanharmtheenvironment.

w o°,°o

ThisSymbolpoints

ua! before attemptingto

resuUt in personalinjury_
::When you see th s
_symbol

,EEDMTSWARNmNG

Responsibility

Restrictthe use

of this power machine

to personswhoread

understand

5

Stand behinathe

moweras ifyouwere

going to operate it. Your

righthand corresponds

to the right sideot the

mower;your left hand
correspondsto the left

sideof the mower.

IMPORTANT

DO NOT crimpthe
cableswhen liftingthe

handb up,

IMPORTANT

gasolineandoilas
instructedin the accom-

_'_n

Figure3-1:Lift handleandtightenhardware,

f

f

x

//

/

i,

Figure3-2:Securehandletohandlemountingbrackets.

brackets,

b, Tightenhandknobstosecureupperhandleto

lowerhandle,Makesurethateach carriageboltis
seatedproperlyinthe handle,

2, Replaceandtightenhandknobsremovedearlierto

securelowerhandb to handb brackets,Figure3-2,

8, Theropeguideis attachedtotherightsideofthe

upperhandle,Loosenthewingnutwhichsecuresthe
ropeguide,Figure8-8,

a, Holdthebladecontrolagainstupperhandle,
b, Pullstarterropeoutoftheengine,Releasethe

bladecontrol,

c, Blipstarterropeintoropeguide,
d, Tightenwingnut,

4, Securecablesto thelowerhandb usingthecabletie,

Pullcabletie tightandcutoff excess,

5, Toassembb thegrasscatcher(ifneeded),placebag

overframewiththe blackplasticsideatthe bottom,
Blipplasticchanneloverhooksonframe,All channels
exceptforcentertopof bagattachfromthe outside,
Thecenterof bagattachesfromtheinside,

6, Beforeattachingthegrasscatcher,themulching

bafflemustberemoved,Figure8-5,
a, Lift reardischargedoor,

b, Removemulchingbaffle,

7, Toinstallthegrasscatcher,Figure8-4,

J

a, Lift reardischargedoor,
b, Placegrasscatcheronthepivotrod,Letgo

ofdischargedoorso thatit restsonthegrass
catcher,

panyingengine manual
BEFOREoperating your

mower.

Figure3-3:Pullrecoilstarterthroughropeguideandtighten. Figure3-4:Liftdischargedoorandplacegrasscatcheronrod.

6