IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.
Warning:
ered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable
local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator. In the State
of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws.
Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized service dealer
or contact the service department, P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-cov-
Important Safe Operation Practices3
Slope Gauge6
Assembling Your Lawn Mower7
Know Your Lawn Mower9
Operating Your Lawn Mower10
ContentPage
Servicing And Adjustments13
Off Season Storage14
Trouble Shooting15
Illustrated Parts List16
Warranty20
Maintaining Your Lawn Mower11
FINDING MODEL NUMBER
This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new lawn mower. It will help you assemble, prepare and
maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.
Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the
equipment and copy the information from it in the space provided below. A sample model plate is
also given below. You can locate the model plate by standing at the operating position and
looking down at the rear of the deck. This information will be necessary to use the manufacturer’s
web site and/or help from the Customer Support Department or an authorized service dealer.
Please do NOT return the unit to the retailer from where it was purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.
If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or
maintenance of this unit, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:
Visit troybilt.com for many useful suggestions. Click on Customer Support button and you will
get the four options reproduced here. Click on the appropriate button and help is immediately
available.
The answer you are
looking for could be just
a mouse click away!
If you prefer to reach a Customer Support Representative, please call 1-800-520-5520.
The answer you are
looking for could be just
a mouse click away!
Engine
Manual
The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related issues with regards to
performance, power-rating, specifications, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine
manufacturer’s Owner’s/Operator’s Manual, packed separately with your unit, for more
information.
2
Page 3
SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
WARNING:
the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual
before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal
injury. When you see this symbol—HEED ITS WARNING.
WARNING:
chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
WARNING:
manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in
serious injury. This 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.
This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit
This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this
General Operation
1. Read this operator’s manual carefully in its entirety
before attempting to assemble this machine. Read,
understand, and follow all instructions on the
machine and in the manual(s) before operation. Be
completely familiar with the controls and the proper
use of this machine before operating it. Keep this
manual in a safe place for future and regular
reference and for ordering replacement parts.
2. This machine is a precision piece of power
equipment, not a plaything. Therefore, exercise
extreme caution at all times. Your unit has been
designed to perform one job: to mow grass. Do not
use it for any other purpose.
3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
this machine. Children 14 years old and over
should read and understand the operation
instructions and safety rules in this manual and
should be trained and supervised by a parent. Only
responsible individuals who are familiar with these
safe operation rules should use this machine.
4. Thoroughly inspect the area where equipment is to
be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones,
toys and other foreign objects which could be
tripped over or picked up and thrown by the blade.
Thrown objects can cause serious personal injury.
Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of
material toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and
the like. Also, avoid discharging material against a
wall or obstruction which may cause discharged
material to ricochet back toward the operator.
5. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object
injury, stay in the operator zone behind the handles
and keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at
least 75 feet from the machine while it is in
operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
6. Always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes
during equipment operation and while performing
an adjustment or repair. Thrown objects which
ricochet can cause serious injury to the eyes.
7. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and closefitting slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover
the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are
recommended. Never operate this machine in bare
feet, sandals, slippery or light weight (e.g. canvas)
shoes.
8. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or
under the cutting deck. Contact with the blade can
amputate hands and feet.
9. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause
blade contact or thrown object injuries.
10. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being
pulled over the foot during a fall caused by slipping
or tripping. Do not hold on to the mower if you are
falling; release the handle immediately.
11. Never pull the mower back toward you while you
are walking. If you must back the mower away from
a wall or obstruction first look down and behind to
avoid tripping and then follow these steps:
a. Step back from the mower to fully extend
your arms.
b. Be sure you are well balanced with sure
footing.
c. Pull the mower back slowly, no more than
half way toward you.
d. Repeat these steps as needed.
5. Do not operate the mower while under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.
6. Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on
units so equipped while starting engine.
7. The blade control handle is a safety device. Never
attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so makes
the safety device inoperative and may result in
personal injury through contact with the rotating
blade. The blade control handle must operate
easily in both directions and automatically return to
the disengaged position when released.
8. Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always be
sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause
serious personal injury. If you feel you are losing
3
Page 4
your footing, release the blade control handle
immediately and the blade will stop rotating within
three seconds.
9. Mow in daylight or good artificial light; walk, not run.
10. Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives,
walkways or roads.
11. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally,
stop the engine and check immediately for the
cause. Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.
12. Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes
to a complete stop before removing the grass
catcher or unclogging the chute. The cutting blade
continues to rotate for a few seconds after the
engine is shut off. Never place any part of the body
in the blade area until you are sure the blade has
stopped rotating.
13. Never operate mower without proper trail shield,
discharge cover, grass catcher, blade control
handle or other safety protective devices in place
and working. Never operate mower with damaged
safety devices. Failure to do so can result in
personal injury.
14. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a
burn. Do not touch.
15. Only use parts and accessories made by the
original equipment manufacturer (O.E.M). Failure
to do so can result in personal injury.
16. If situations occur which are not covered in this
manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your
dealer for assistance. Call1-800-520-5520 for the
name of your nearest dealer.
Slope Operation
Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall
accidents which can result in severe injury. Operation
on slopes requires extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a
slope, do not mow it. Before operating this unit on a
slope or hilly area, use the slope gauge on page 6 to
measure slopes. If the slope is greater than 15 degrees,
do not mow it.
Do:
1. Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down.
Exercise caution when changing direction.
2. Watch for holes, ruts, rocks, hidden objects, or
bumps which can cause you to slip or trip. Tall
grass can hide obstacles.
3. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can
cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are
losing your balance, release the blade control
handle immediately, and the blade will stop rotating
within 3 seconds.
Do Not:
1. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or
embankments, you could lose your footing or
balance.
2. Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as
shown on the slope gauge.
3. Do not mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could
cause slipping.
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. They do not
understand the dangers. Never assume that children
will remain where you last saw them.
1. Keep children out of the mowing area and under
the watchful care of a responsible adult other than
the operator.
2. Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the
area.
3. Before and while moving backwards, look behind
and down for small children.
4. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners,
doorways, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may
obscure your vision of a child who may run into the
mower.
5. Keep children away from hot or running engines.
They can suffer burns from a hot muffler.
6. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
a power mower. Children 14 years old and over
should read and understand the operation
instructions and safety rules in this manual and
should be trained and supervised by a parent.
Service
Safe Handling of Gasoline:
1. To avoid personal injury or property damage use
extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is
extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.
Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is
spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite.
2. Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.
3. Use only an approved gasoline container.
4. 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.
5. If possible, remove gas-powered equipment from
the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this
is not possible, then refuel such equipment on a
trailer with a portable container, rather than from a
gasoline dispenser nozzle.
6. 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.
7. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other
sources of ignition.
8. Never fuel machine indoors because flammable
vapors will accumulate in the area.
4
Page 5
9. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine
is hot or running. Allow engine to cool at least two
minutes before refueling.
10. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½
inch below bottom of filler neck to provide space for
fuel expansion.
11. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
12. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and
equipment. Move unit to another area. Wait 5
minutes before starting the engine.
13. Never store the machine or fuel container inside
where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light as
on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes
dryer or other gas appliances.
14. To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass,
leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel
spillage and remove any fuel soaked debris.
15. Allow a mower to cool at least 5 minutes before
storing.
General Service:
1. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly
ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.
2. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make
certain the blade and all moving parts have
stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire and
ground against the engine to prevent unintended
starting.
3. Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at
frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also,
visually inspect blade for damage (e.g., bent,
cracked, worn) Replace blade with the original
equipment manufacture’s (O.E.M.) blade only,
listed in this manual. “Use of parts which do not
meet the original equipment specifications may
lead to improper performance and compromise
safety!”
4. Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the
blade or wear gloves, and use extra caution when
servicing them.
5. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the
equipment is in safe working condition.
6. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their
proper operation regularly.
7. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine,
disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against
the engine. Thoroughly inspect the mower for any
damage. Repair the damage before starting and
operating the mower.
8. Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting height
adjustment while the engine is running.
9. Grass catcher components, discharge cover, and
trail shield are subject to wear and damage which
could expose moving parts or allow objects to be
thrown. For safety protection, frequently check
components and replace immediately with original
equipment manufacturer’s (O.E.M.) parts only,
listed in this manual. “Use of parts which do not
meet the original equipment specifications may
lead to improper performance and compromise
safety!”
10. Do not change the engine governor setting or
overspeed the engine. The governor controls the
maximum safe operating speed of the engine.
11. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as
necessary.
12. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations.
Improper disposal of fluids and materials can harm
the environment.
Your Responsibility
•Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read, understand and follow the warnings and
instructions in this manual and on the machine.
1299 AC
5
Page 6
SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE
Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely.
Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes.
your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury.
Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). A riding mower
could overturn and cause serious injury. If operating a walk-behind mower on such a slope, it is extremely difficult to maintain
F
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SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE
A POWER POLE
WARNING
15
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6
Page 7
SECTION 3: ASSEMBLING YOUR LAWN MOWER
Removing Unit From Carton
•Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut
tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open.
•Remove loose parts included with unit (i.e.,
operator’s manual, oil, etc.).
•Cut corners and lay carton down flat. Remove
packing material.
•Roll or slide unit out of carton. Check carton
thoroughly for loose parts.
NOTE: Make sure not to crimp cables while removing
loose parts or the entire unit from the carton.
Tools R eq uir e d
•Pair of Pliers
•Funnel
NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower
and/or front or behind the mower is observed from the
operating position.
Hardware Pack
Please identify each piece of the
hardware pack as shown in
figure here.
Wing
Nut (2)
Carriage
Bolt (2)
Disconnecting Spark Plug
•Before setting up your lawn mower, disconnect the
spark plug wire from the spark plug, and ground it
against the engine.
•Raise the lower handle, as shown in Figure 1 , until
it snaps into place.
•Raise the upper handle as shown in Figure 1 .
Tighten the wing nuts which are already on the
handle. See Figure 2 .
Tighten these
wing nuts
Lower
Upper
Handle
Figure 2
NOTE: Make sure to route the cables inside the lower
handle. Also do not crimp the cables while lifting the
handle up.
•For shipping purposes, the hairpin clip is placed in
the outer hole of the weld pin on the lower handle.
Remove the hairpin clip from the outer hole of the
weld pin. See Figure 3.
•Using a pair of pliers, insert the hairpin clip into the
inner hole on the weld pin. Repeat on other side.
See Figure 3 .
Carriage Bolt
Handle
Assembling Handle
•Remove grass bag from the unit and set it out of the
way.
•Remove any packing material which may be
between the upper and lower handles for shipping
purposes.
Figure 1
Upper
Hole
Wing Nut
Move Hairpin Clip
Figure 3
•Insert the carriage bolt, included in the hardware
pack, in the upper hole on the handle mounting
bracket (carriage bolt must go to the inside of
handle). Secure with one plastic wing nut, also
included in the hardware pack. Repeat on the other
side with remaining items from the hardware pack.
•Attach cables to the lower handle with the cable ties
already on the lower handle. Insert pegs on cable
ties into the holes on the lower handle. Pull cable
ties tight and cut off the extra.
7
Handle
Mounting
Brkt.
Page 8
Attaching Starter Rope
The rope guide is already attached to the right side of
the lower handle of your mower. See Figure 4 .
•With spark plug wire disconnected and grounded,
hold the blade control handle against the upper
handle, and pull the starter rope out of the engine.
•Slip the rope through the rope guide as shown
below. Tighten the wing nut holding the rope guide
to the lower handle.
Lower Handle
Starter
Rope
Wing Nut
Rope Guide
Figure 4
WARNING:
grass clippings, make sure the hooks on the
grass catcher are firmly seated on the chute
pivot rod, and the rear discharge door rests
firmly against the top of the grass catcher.
When using the mower to bag
Attaching Grasscatcher
•Lift the rear discharge door and place the grass
catcher on the pivot rod. Let go of discharge door
so that it rests on the grass catcher. See Figure 6.
Rear Discharge
Door
Assembling Grass Catcher
NOTE: If the grass catcher came pre-assembled,
proceed to the next section. If not, follow the steps
below to assemble it before attaching to the mower.
•Insert frame into grass bag with the black plastic
side on the bottom of bag. See Figure 5.
Grass Catcher
Frame
Grass
Bag
Plastic
Channel
Insert frame
into bag
Grass Catcher
Assembly
Complete
Grass
Catcher
Figure 6
Converting To Mulcher
•Lift the rear discharge door on the mower and lift
the grass catcher up. Release the discharge door
to allow it to close the rear opening of the mower.
Converting To Side Discharge
•Make sure the grass catcher is off the unit and the
rear discharge door is closed.Refer to Figure 7.
•On the side of the mower, lift the mulching plug.
See Figure 7.
•Slide the two hooks of the side-discharge chute
under the hinge pin on the mulching plug assembly.
Lower the side mulching plug.
•Do not remove the side mulching plug at any time,
even when you are not mulching.
Mulching Plug
Figure 5
•Slip the openings in the side of the plastic channel
on bag over the hooks on the grass catcher frame.
Secure bag to the frame by working the six plastic
channels on bag over frame. All of the plastic
channels except the center top of the bag attach
from the outside of bag. The center top of the bag
attaches from inside the bag. See Figure 5.
Hinge Pin
Deflector
Hooks
(Slide hooks under the two
sides of hinge pin)
Figure 7
8
Page 9
SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER
Read this owner’s manual and safety rules before
operating your lawn mower. Compare the illustrations
in Figure 8 with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself
with the location of various controls and adjustments.
Save this manual for future reference.
WARNING:
mower can result in foreign objects being
thrown into the operator’s eyes thus causing
severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses while operating the mower, or while
performing any adjustments or repairs on it.
The operation of any lawn
Starter Rope
The starter rope is attached to the handle. Stand behind
the unit and pull the starter rope to start the unit.
Blade Control Handle
The blade control handle is located on the upper handle
of the mower. The blade control handle must be
depressed in order to operate the unit. Release the
blade control handle to stop the engine and the blade.
WARNING:
safety device. Never attempt to bypass its
operations or alter it in any way.
The blade control handle is a
Starter
Rope
Grasscatcher
Bag
Blade Control Handle
Lower Bail Handle
Mulching
Plug
Cutting Height
Adjustment Levers
Lower Bail Handle
The lower bail handle is located on the upper handle
and is used to engage the drive. Squeeze the lower bail
handle against the upper handle to engage the drive;
release it to slow down or stop the mower from
propelling.
Grasscatcher Bag
The grass bag is used for collecting grass clippings.
Attach it to the mower for this purpose, but remove it
when the intention is to mulch the grass.
Mulching Plug
The mulching plug is used only for mulching purposes.
Instead of collecting the grass clippings in a grass
catcher, your mower has the option of recirculating the
clippings back to the lawn.Make sure that the rear
discharge door is closed and the grass catcher is
removed from the unit while mulching.
Cutting Height Adjustment Lever
These levers are located on each wheel and they are
used to adjust the cutting height. All four levers have to
be at the same relative position to ensure uniform cut.
Side-Discharge
Chute
NOTE:
For engine controls, please refer to
the engine manual.
Figure 8
9
Page 10
SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER
NOTE: See your engine manual packed with your unit
WARNING:
instructions and warnings on the machine and
in this manual before operating.
Gas & Oil Fill-Up
•Check oil level and add oil if necessary. Follow
relevant instructions in the engine manual for this.
•Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in
the engine manual.
WARNING:
handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never
fuel the machine indoors or while the engine is
hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars,
pipes and other sources of ignition.
Before Starting Mower
•Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain
the metal cap on the end of the spark plug wire
(inside the rubber boot) is fastened securely over
the metal tip on the spark plug.
Read and understand all
Use extreme care when
for more detailed instructions.
To Stop Engine
•Release the blade control handle to stop the engine
and blade.
•Disconnect spark plug wire and ground it against
the engine to prevent accidental starting while
equipment is unattended.
Using Your Lawn Mower
•You can use your mower as a mulcher or a rear
bagger or for side discharge of grass.
•Be sure that the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire,
or other objects which could damage lawn mower
or engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown
by the mower in any direction and cause serious
personal injury to the operator and others.
•For best results, do not cut wet grass because it
tends to stick to the underside of the mower.
•For a healthy lawn, always cut off one-third or less
of the total length of the grass. Lawn should be
trimmed in fall as long as there is growth.
Throttle Speed
Your lawn mower engine is equipped with a constant
speed throttle, which is set at full throttle for best
performance.
Starting Engine
WARNING:
operator is standing near the lawn mower while
starting engine or operating mower.
WARNING:
enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine
exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an
odorless and deadly gas.
WARNING:
loose clothing away from any moving parts on
engine and lawn mower.
•Push primer three times. Wait about two seconds
between each push. In cold weather around 55
or below, prime five times. Do not prime to restart a
warm engine after a short shutdown.
•Standing behind the mower, depress the blade
control handle and hold it against the upper handle.
•Grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly until
engine reaches the start of compression cycle
(rope will pull slightly harder at this point). Keeping
a firm grip on the starter handle, let the rope rewind
slowly.
Be sure no one other than the
Never run engine indoors or in
Keep hands, feet, hair and
o
F
WARNING:
object, stop the engine. Remove spark plug
wire from the spark plug and thoroughly inspect
for any damage. Repair the damage promptly
before restarting and operating the mower.
If the mower strikes a foreign
Adjusting Cutting Height
Refer to height adjustments section of this manual on
page 14 for instruction on how to adjust the cutting
height and the handle height.
For best results in mowing, keep the cutting height
position high until you can determine a suitable height.
Bagging Grass Clippings
You can use the grass catcher bag to collect clippings
while you are operating the mower.
•Attach grass catcher following instructions on page
8. Grass clippings will automatically collect in the
bag as you run the mower. Operate the mower till
the grass bag is full.
•Once the bag is full, stop the engine and the mower
completely. Lift discharge door and pull grass bag
up and away from the mower to dispose of the
grass clippings.
10
Page 11
SECTION 6: MAINTAINING YOUR LAWN MOWER
•Inspect muffler periodically, and replace if
WARNING:
disconnect the spark plug wire before
performing any maintenance work or
adjustments on your lawn mower.
Cleaning Mower
The underside of the mower deck should be cleaned
after each use to prevent any build-up of grass
clippings, leaves, dirt, or other debris. If this debris is
allowed to accumulate, it will result in rust and
corrosion.
NOTE: We do not recommend the use of pressure
washers or garden hose to clean your unit. These may
cause damage to pulleys, bearings, or the engine. The
use of water will result in shortened life and reduce
serviceability.
Always stop the engine and
necessary. Damaged mufflers or spark arresters
can create a fire hazard.
WARNING:
areas while the mower engine is hot because
temperature of these areas of the engine may
exceed 150
Lubrication
e
b
u
L
Avoid muffler and surrounding
o
F.
•Disconnect spark plug wire.
•Drain the gasoline from the lawn mower, or place a
piece of plastic under the gas cap.
•Tip the mower so that it rests on the housing. Keep
the side with the air cleaner facing up. Hold the
mower firmly.
•Scrape and clean the underside of the deck with a
suitable tool. Do not spray with water.
•Put the mower back on its wheels on the ground. If
you had put plastic under the gas cap, make sure to
remove it now.
WARNING:
90 degrees in any directions and do not leave
the mower tipped for any length of time. Oil can
drain into the upper part of the engine causing
a starting problem.
Never tip the mower more than
Engine Care
A list of key maintenance jobs required for good
performance by the mower is given below. Follow the
accompanying engine manual for detailed list and
instructions.
•Change engine oil regularly, as instructed in the
engine manual. Check oil level before starting
engine every time.
•Service air cleaner regularly. You may have to
service this more frequently if you are operating the
mower under extremely dusty conditions.
•Clean the engine periodically. Remove dirt and
debris with a cloth or brush.
•Clean the spark plug and reset the gap to.030” at
least once a season. Refer to the engine manual for
correct spark plug type.
Lube
Lube
Lube
Figure 9: Lubrication Chart
Wheels
•Lubricate the wheels and bearings, if so equipped,
at least once a season with light oil or engine oil.
Also, if the wheels are removed for any reason,
lubricate the surface of the pivot arm axle and the
inner surface of the wheel with light oil.
Mulch Plug & Rear Discharge Door
•Lubricate the torsion spring and the pivot point on
each end of the rear discharge door using a light oil.
Transmission
•The transmission is pre-lubricated and sealed at
the factory and does not require lubrication on a
regular basis as part of maintenance.
Blade Control
•Lubricate the pivot points on the blade control
handle and the brake cable at least once a season
with a light oil. It needs to move in both directions.
11
Page 12
Engine
•Follow the engine manual instructions and
recommended schedule for lubricating engine
components.
Blade Care
•Periodically inspect the blade adapter and pulley
for cracks, especially if you strike a foreign object.
Replace when necessary.
WARNING:
blade for sharpening or replacement, protect
hands by using heavy gloves or a thick rag to
grasp the cutting blade.
•Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug.
•Turn mower on its side making sure that the air filter
and the carburetor are up.
To Remove Blade:
•Remove the hex bolt which holds the blade
adapter-pulley assembly to the engine crankshaft.
See Figure 10 . Remove the pulley assembly and
the bell support from the crankshaft.
•Remove blade from the blade adapter and pulley.
Blade
Blade Bell
Support
When removing the cutting
Adapter-Pulley
Assembly
Hex Bolt
Figure 10
To Replace Blade:
•Before reinstalling the blade-pulley assembly to the
unit, lubricate the engine crankshaft and the inner
surface of the blade adapter with light oil.
•Also lubricate the bolt hole and the hex bolt.
•Insert the hex bolt, earlier removed, through the
center holes on the blade bell support and the
blade adapter-pulley assembly respectively.
•Install the blade assembly on the crankshaft.
Tighten the hex bolt to the recommended torque.
Blade Mounting Torque:
Center bolt: 450 in.lbs. minimum, 600
in.lbs. maximum.
IMPORTANT:
engine is specially heat-treated. Do not substitute. To
order replacement bolt, refer to the parts list in the back
of this manual.
The bolt used to secure the blade to the
WARNING:
your unit, all nuts and bolts must be checked
periodically for correct tightness.
To ensure safe operation of
To Sharpen Blade:
•The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a
grinding wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen the
blade while it is still on the mower.
•Follow the original angle of grind as a guide. Make
sure that each cutting edge receives an equal
amount of grinding to prevent an unbalanced blade.
NOTE: An unbalanced blade will cause excessive
vibration when rotating at high speeds, may cause
damage to the mower and could break, causing
personal injury. Test the blade by balancing it on a
round shaft screwdriver or a blade balancer.
•If the blade is not balanced, remove metal from the
heavy side until it balances evenly.
12
Page 13
SECTION 7: SERVICE & ADJUSTMENTS
Replacing Drive Belt
•Remove two shoulder screws securing the front
drive cover to the mower deck. See Figure 11.
Loosen this screw
Belt
Shoulder
Screw
Shoulder
Transmission
Screw
Figure 11
•Press inward on the sides of the front drive cover
and release the tabs that secure the front drive
cover to the height adjuster brackets. Remove drive
cover from the mower.
•Using a torx wrench, loosen the screw holding the
belt tension spring to the transmission. See Figure
11. Do not remove the screw completely. As you
loosen the screw, tension on the belt will release.
•Push the transmission up a little and slide the belt
off the transmission pulley.
•Lift the mower to access the belt from the underside
of the mower.
WARNING:
Use a thick piece of rag to
handle the blade while sliding the belt in the
next step. Make sure the engine does not start
at all while doing this job.
•Slide the belt off the engine pulley and around the
blade. See Figure 12 .
•Replace with the new belt, working around the
blade. Make sure the belt is firmly seated on the
engine pulley while pulling from the other side and
sliding it around the transmission pulley.
•Put the mower down with all four wheels firmly
placed on one level.
Front Drive
Cover
•Tighten the screw, loosened earlier, to secure the
belt tension spring to the transmission, and
reassemble the front drive cover.
Right Front
Wheel
Engine Pulley
Left Front
Wheel
Figure 12
Replacing Rear Flap
•To remove rear flap, cut off the flat end of the wire
rod which secures it to the deck. See Figure 13 .
•Attach the new flap and new rod to deck, bending
the ends of the new rod over to secure to deck.
Rear Discharge
Door
Handle
Bracket
W
d
o
R
e
r
i
Handle
Bracket
Rear
Flap
Figure 13
Adjusting Handle Height
Your mower is shipped with the handle in the higher
height position.
•Remove the starter rope from the rope guide.
•Remove the upper handle by removing the hand
knobs and carriage bolts. Lay the upper handle out
of the way, being careful not to bend or kink cables.
•Remove the hairpin clips from the weld pins on the
handle brackets. Refer to Figure 3 .
•Remove the carriage bolts and wing nuts from the
handle brackets. Press out on the legs of the lower
handle. Remove lower handle from the mower.
•Turn the lower handle around so the notch on the
bottom of the lower handle is facing forward as
shown in Figure 14 . Reassemble, placing the
bottom holes in the handle over the weld pins in the
handle mounting bracket.
13
Page 14
Notch
Lower
Handle
Figure 14
•Reassemble the upper handle to the lower handle.
•Place the hairpin clips in the inner holes of the weld
pins and replace the carriage bolts and wing nuts
on the handle brackets. Attach the starter rope as
instructed in the Assembly section.
Adjusting Cutting Height
IMPORTANT:
relative position. For rough or uneven lawns, move the
height adjustment lever to a higher position. This will
help stop scalping of the grass.
An adjusting plate and thumb lever at each wheel
provides cutting height adjustment. Each adjusting
plate has nine height positions. Height of cut will be
changed when you move the thumb lever from one
position to another.
•Simply depress the lever towards the wheel and
move the lever assembly to desired position. See
Figure 15 .
All wheels must be placed in the same
•For rough or uneven lawns, move the height
adjustment handles to higher cutting height
position.
Height Adjustment
Lever
Figure 15
Adjusting Carburetor
If the engine is running rough, minor adjustments to the
carburetor may be required to compensate for
differences in fuel, temperature, altitude and load.
NOTE: Dirty air cleaner may cause an engine to run
rough.Before adjusting carburetor, check air cleaner.
To adjust the carburetor, please follow the
recommendations and instructions on carburetor
adjustment in the engine manual.
WARNING:
the engine (e.g. carburetor) while the engine is
running, keep clear of all moving parts. Be
careful of heated surfaces like the muffler.
If any adjustments are made to
SECTION 8: OFF-SEASON STORAGE
Prepare your lawn mower for storage at the end of the
season or if the unit will not be used for 30 days or
more. Store the mower in a clean, dry area.
Mower
•Clean underside of the mower following
instructions in the Maintain Your Lawn Mower
section of this manual.
•Lubricate mower as instructed on page 11.
•You can fold your mower’s handle for convenient
storage: Remove the starter rope from the rope
guide; loosen the two hand knobs on the sides of
the handle, and let the upper handle fold down to
the rear. Move the hairpin clips to the outer hole in
the weld pins on the handle mounting brackets.
Spread the sides of the lower handle, and push it
forward and down.
•Inspect and replace/sharpen blade, if required.
Engine
•Follow recommendations in the engine manual for
off-season storage of the engine.
•Change oil if it has not been changed in the last
three months. For instructions on how to change oil,
refer to the engine manual.
•Clean engine and remove any grass clippings.
Other
•Do not store gasoline from one season to another.
•Replace your gasoline can if it starts to rust. Rust
and/or dirt in the gasoline will cause problems.
Store unit in a clean, dry area. Do not store next to
corrosive materials, such as fertilizer.
NOTE: If storing in an unventilated or metal storage
shed, be certain to rustproof the equipment by coating
with a light oil or silicone.
14
Page 15
SECTION 9: TROUBLE-SHOOTING
ProblemPossible CauseCorrective Action
Engine fails to start1. Blade control handle disengaged
2. Spark plug wire disconnected
3. Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel
4. Blocked fuel line
5. Faulty spark plug
6. Engine flooded
Engine runs erratic1. Spark plug wire loose
2. Blocked fuel line or stale fuel
3. Vent in gas cap plugged
4. Water or dirt in fuel system
5. Dirty air cleaner
Engine overheats1. Engine oil level low
2. Air flow restricted
Occasional skip
(hesitates) at high
speed
Idles poorly1. Spark plug faulty, or gap too wide
Excessive vibration1. Blade loose or unbalanced
Mower will not
mulch grass
Uneven cut1. Wheels not at same height
1. Spark plug gap too close1. Adjust gap to.030 inches.
2. Dirty air cleaner
2. Bent cutting blade
3. Bent engine crankshaft
1. Wet grass
2. Excessively high grass
3. Dull blade
2. Dull blade
1. Engage blade control handle.
2. Connect wire to spark plug.
3. Fill up tank with fresh gasoline.
4. Clean fuel line.
5. Clean, adjust gap, or replace.
6. Wait a few minutes to restart, Do not prime.
1. Connect and tighten spark plug wire.
2. Clean fuel line, fill tank with fresh gasoline.
3. Clear vent.
4. Drain fuel tank. Refill with fresh fuel.
5. Clean air cleaner. Refer to engine manual.
1. Fill crankcase with proper oil.
2. Clean lawn mower engine.
1. Reset gap to.030 inches or replace spark plug.
2. Clean air cleaner.
1. Tighten blade and adapter, balance blade.
2. Replace blade.
3. Contact the nearest service center
1. Wait until grass is dry to cut.
2. Mow once at a high cutting height, then mow
again at desired height.
3. Sharpen or replace blade.
1. Reposition all wheels at same height.
2. Sharpen or replace blade.
NOTE: For repairs beyond the minor adjustments listed above, contact your local authorized service dealer.
15
Page 16
SECTION 10: PARTS LIST FOR MODELS 466 & 469
6
7
1
21
8
16
46
13
15
14
47
17
65
39
74
72
43
73
54
75
28
66
19
48
52
53
55
26
63
45
44
42
28
18
64
71
28
51
61
10
22
58
59
60
41
27
11
3
2
32
57
62
49
25
68
20
5
4
12
56
37
9
50
33
24
28
69
70
40
67
23
30
31
34
36
38
35
29
IMPORTANT: For a proper working machine, use
Factory Approved Parts. V-BELTS are specially
designed to engage and disengage safely. A
substitute (non OEM) V-Belt can be dangerous by
not disengaging completely.
16
Page 17
Models 466 & 469
Ref. No Part No.Description
747-1214Lower Bail Handle
1.
710-0599TT Screw 1/4-20 x 0.5
2.
736-0270Bell Washer.265 x 0.75
3.
17032ADeflector Chute Adapter
4.
732-1014Torsion Spring
5.
731-04204Deluxe Bail Cover
6.
747-1161ABlade Control Handle
7.
749-1092AUpper Handle
8.
731-04177Chute Deflector
9.
687-02055Mulch Plug Complete
10.
747-0710Hinge Pin
11.
732-0708Bearing Retainer
12.
720-0279Handle Knob
13.
720-0284Wing Knob
14.
710-1205Eye Bolt
15.
746-1132Control Cable - 40.75”
16.
710-1174Carriage Bolt 5/16-18 x 2.0
17.
726-0240Cable Tie
18.
714-0104Cotter Pin
19.
710-1008Sems Hex Screw
20.
746-04112A Drive Cable
21.
664-04011Grassbag Assembly
22.
710-1650Shoulder Screw # 12 -24
23.
682-0015Bearing Assembly
24.
787-0122221” Deck
25.
710-0216Hex Screw 3/8-16 x.75
26.
732-04090A Torsion Spring RH
27.
712-0431Flange Lock Nut 3/8-16
28.
731-05020Transmission Cover (Black)
29.
782-5002BFront Baffle
30.
754-0637AV-Belt
31.
736-0447Wave Washer
32.
750-04178Sleeve Spacer 9.04” Lg.
33.
748-04015A Blade Adapter w/ Pulley
34.
742-074121” Mulching Blade
35.
736-0524BBlade Bell Support
36.
687-02044Pivot Plate Assembly
37.
710-1257Hex Screw 3/8-24 x 2.50
38.
749-0928ALower Handle
39.
750-1166Slev. Spacer 2.1” Lg.
40.
732-04089A Torsion Spring LH
41.
734-04018A Wheel 8 x 2.125 Gear GW
42.
734-04014Wheel 8 x 2.125 Gray IDL
43.
* Not shown in illustration
Ref. No Part No.Description
716-0865Snap Ring
44.
717-1762Gear 14T RH FWD
45.
717-1761Gear 14T LH FWD *
747-04080Grass Bag Frame
The limited warranty set forth below is given by Troy-Bilt LLC
with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the
United States, its possessions and territories.
“Troy-Bilt” warrants this product against defects in material
and workmanship for a period of two (2) years commencing
on the date of original purchase and will, at its option, repair or
replace, free of charge, any part found to be defective in
materials or workmanship. This limited warranty shall only
apply if this product has been operated and maintained in
accordance with the Operator’s Manual furnished with the
product, and has not been subject to misuse, abuse,
commercial use, neglect, accident, improper maintenance,
alteration, vandalism, theft, fire, water, or damage because of
other peril or natural disaster. Damage resulting from the
installation or use of any part, accessory or attachment not
approved by Troy-Bilt for use with the product(s) covered by
this manual will void your warranty as to any resulting
damage.
Normal wear parts are warranted to be free from defects in
material and workmanship for a period of thirty (30) days from
the date of purchase. Normal wear parts include, but not
limited to items such as: batteries, belts, blades, blade
adapters, grass bags, rider deck wheels, seats, snow thrower
skid shoes, shave plates, auger spiral rubber and tires.
HOW TO OBTAIN SERVICE: Warranty service is available,
WITH PROOF OF PURCHASE, through your local authorized
service dealer. To locate the dealer in your area, check your
Yellow Pages, or contact Troy-Bilt LLC at P.O. Box 361131,
Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019, or call 1-866-840-6483 or 1330-558-7220, or log on to our Web site at www.troybilt.com.
This limited warranty does not provide coverage in the
following cases:
a.The engine or component parts thereof. These items
may carry a separate manufacturer’s warranty. Refer
to applicable manufacturer’s warranty for terms and
conditions.
b.Log splitter pumps, valves, and cylinders have a
separate one year warranty.
c.Routine maintenance items such as lubricants, filters,
blade sharpening, tune-ups, brake adjustments, clutch
adjustments, deck adjustments, and normal
deterioration of the exterior finish due to use or
exposure.
d.Service completed by someone other than an
authorized service dealer.
e.Troy-Bilt does not extend any warranty for products
sold or exported outside of the United States, its
possessions and territories, except those sold through
Troy-Bilt’s authorized channels of export distribution.
f.Replacement parts that are not genuine Troy-Bilt parts.
g.Transportation charges and service calls.
No implied warranty, including any implied warranty of
merchantability of fitness for a particular purpose,
applies after the applicable period of express written
warranty above as to the parts as identified. No other
express warranty, whether written or oral, except as
mentioned above, given by any person or entity,
including a dealer or retailer, with respect to any product,
shall bind Troy-Bilt. During the period of the warranty, the
exclusive remedy is repair or replacement of the product
as set forth above.
The provisions as set forth in this warranty provide the
sole and exclusive remedy arising from the sale. Troy-Bilt
shall not be liable for incidental or consequential loss or
damage including, without limitation, expenses incurred
for substitute or replacement lawn care services or for
rental expenses to temporarily replace a warranted
product.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential damages, or limitations on how
long an implied warranty lasts, so the above exclusions or
limitations may not apply to you.
In no event shall recovery of any kind be greater than the
amount of the purchase price of the product sold. Alteration
of safety features of the product shall void this warranty.
You assume the risk and liability for loss, damage, or injury to
you and your property and/or to others and their property
arising out of the misuse or inability to use the product.
This limited warranty shall not extend to anyone other than
the original purchaser or to the person for whom it was
purchased as a gift.
HOW STATE LAW RELATES TO THIS WARRANTY: This
limited warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may
also have other rights which vary from state to state.