Troy-Bilt TBR16, TBR18 User Manual

Safe Operation Practices • Set-Up • Operation • Maintenance • Service • Troubleshooting • Warranty

Op e r a t O r ’s Ma n u a l

Reel Mower — TBR16 & TBR18

WARNING

READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL

BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THIS MACHINE.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

TROY-BILT LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019

Form No. 769-06425A

(October 21, 2010)

To The Owner

Thank You

Thank you for purchasing a Troy-Bilt Reel Mower. It was carefully
engineered to provide excellent performance when properly
operated and maintained.

Please read this entire manual prior to operating the equipment.

It instructs you how to safely and easily set up, operate and

maintain your machine. Please be sure that you, and any other

persons who will operate the machine, carefully follow the
recommended safety practices at all times. Failure to do so could
result in personal injury or property damage.

All information in this manual is relative to the most recent
product information available at the time of printing. Review
this manual frequently to familiarize yourself with the machine,

its features and operation. Please be aware that this Operator’s

Manual may cover a range of product specifications for various
models. Characteristics and features discussed and/or illustrated
in this manual may not be applicable to all models. We reserve
the right to change product specifications, designs and
equipment without notice and without incurring obligation.

Table of Contents

Safe Operation Practices ........................................ 3

Assembly & Set-Up .................................................. 5

Operation ................................................................. 7

Maintenance & Adjustment................................... 8

1

If you have any problems or questions concerning the machine,
phone a authorized Troy-Bilt service dealer or contact us directly.

Troy-Bilt’s Customer Support telephone numbers, website

address and mailing address can be found on this page. We want
to ensure your complete satisfaction at all times.

Throughout this manual, all references to right and left side of the
machine are observed from the operating position

Illustrated Parts List ...............................................10

Warranty .................................................................13

Record Product Information

Before setting up and operating your new equipment, please
locate the model plate on the equipment and record the
information in the provided area to the right. You can locate

the model plate by looking near the machine’s right wheel. This

information will be necessary, should you seek technical support
via our web site, Customer Support Department, or with a local
authorized service dealer.

MO d e l nu M b e r

se r i a l nu M b e r

Customer Support

Please do NOT return the machine to the retailer or dealer without first contacting the Customer Support Department.

If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation, or maintenance of
this machine, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:

Visit us on the web at www.troybilt.com◊

Call a Customer Support Representative at [phone] or [phone]◊

Write to Troy-Bilt LLC • P.O. Box 361131 • Cleveland, OH • 44136-0019◊

2

Important Safe Operation Practices

WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed,

could endanger 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!

DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the safe operation practices in
this manual. Carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. This
machine is capable of amputating fingers and toes and throwing objects. Failure to observe
the following safety instructions could result in serious injury.

2

General Operation

Read this operator’s manual carefully in its entirety before 1.

attempting to assemble this machine. Read, understand,
and follow all instructions on the machine and in the
manual(s) before operation. Keep this manual in a safe
place for future and regular reference and for ordering
replacement parts.

Be completely familiar with the proper use of this machine 2.
before operating it.

This machine is a precision piece of power equipment, 3.
not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at all
times. This machine has been designed to perform one job:
to mow grass. Do not use it for any other purpose.

Never allow children under 10 years of age to operate this 4.
machine. Children 10 and over should read and understand

the instructions and safe operation practices in this manual
and on the machine and should be trained and supervised
by an adult.

Only responsible individuals who are familiar with these 5.
rules of safe operation should be allowed to use this
machine.

Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be 6.
used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and other
foreign objects.

To help avoid blade contact, stay in operator zone behind 7.
handles and keep children, bystanders, helpers and pets
away from mower while it is in operation. Stop machine if
anyone enters area.

Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting 8.
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 light­weight (e.g. canvas) shoes.

Do not put hands or feet near rotating blades. Contact with 9.
blades can amputate fingers and toes.

Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled 10.
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.

Be careful when pulling the machine backward. Look down 11.
and behind to avoid tripping. Be sure you are well balanced
with sure footing.

Do not operate the mower while under the influence of 12.
alcohol or drugs.

Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always be sure of 13.
your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal
injury.

Mow only in daylight or good artificial light. Walk, never 14.
run.

The cutting blade may continue to rotate for a few seconds 15.
after the mower has stopped moving. Never place any part
of the body in the blade area until you are sure the blade
has stopped rotating.

Use safe lifting practices when moving mower.16.

Only use parts and accessories made for this machine by 17.

the manufacturer. Failure to do so can result in personal
injury.

If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use 18.
care and good judgement. Contact Customer Support for
assistance or the name of the nearest service 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. If the slope

is greater than 15 degrees, do not mow it.

Do:

Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down. Exercise 1.
caution when changing direction on slopes.

Watch for holes, ruts, rocks, hidden objects, or bumps 2.
which can cause you to slip or trip. Tall grass can hide
obstacles.

Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause 3.
serious personal injury.

3

Do Not:

Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments, you 1.
could lose your footing or balance.

Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees.2.

Do not mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could cause 3.
slipping.

Children

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of small children. Children are often attracted to the

mower and the mowing activity. Children younger than 10 years-

old do not understand the dangers. Never assume that children
will remain where you last saw them.

Keep children 1. younger than 10 years-old out of the
mowing area and under watchful care of a responsible
adult other than the operator.

Be alert and stop mowing if a child or others enter the area.2.

Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, 3.
doorways, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure
your vision of a child who may run into the mower.

Never allow children under 10 years of age to operate this 4.
machine. Children 10 and over should read and understand

the instructions and safe operation practices in this manual
and on the machine and be trained and supervised by an
adult.

Service

Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wear gloves, and use 1.
extra caution when servicing them.

Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the 2.
equipment is in safe working condition.

Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper 3.
operation regularly.

Safety Symbols

This page depicts and describes safety symbols that may appear on this product. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the
machine before attempting to assemble and operate.

Symbol Description

READ THE OPERATOR’S MANUAL(S)
Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual(s) before attempting to
assemble and operate

DANGER — ROTATING BLADES
To reduce the risk of injury, keep hands and feet away.

DANGER — BYSTANDERS
Do not mow when children or others are around.

4 se c t i O n 2 — iM p O r t a n t sa f e Op e r a t i O n pr a c t i c e s

Assembly & Set-Up

Contents of Crate

One Upper Handle• Two Mid Handles• One Lower Handle•

Six Carriage Bolts• Six Wing Knobs• Six Saddle Washers•

One Grass Catcher (TB R18 Only)• One Operator’s Manual• One Product Registration Card•

Mower Set-Up

Attaching the Handle

Secure the upper handle to the mid handles with two 1.
carriage bolts, two saddle washers and two wing knobs.

See Fig. 3-1.

3

Figure 3-1

Secure the handle assembled in step 1 to the lower handle with 2.
four carriage bolts, four saddle washers and four wing
knobs. See Fig. 3-2.

Position the complete handle assembly over the studs on the 3.
rear of the mower frame. See Fig. 3-3.

Figure 3-2

Figure 3-3

5

Adjusting the Cutting Height

The cutting height can be adjusted to between approximately
/-inch and 2/-inches.

Move the right-hand height adjustment lever outward and 1.
then position it forward (to lower the cutting height) or
rearward (to raise the cutting height) before releasing it

into the notch for your desired height. See Fig. 3-4.

Attaching the Grass Catcher (Model TBR18)

Expand the grass catcher from its collapsed position by 1.
opening up the hinges found on the inside of its frame.

Position the grass catcher hooks over the rod on the rear of 2.
the mower. See Fig. 3-5.

Figure 3-5

Figure 3-4

Repeat Step 1 on the left-hand side making sure to release the 2.
height adjustment lever into the corresponding notch.

Position the strap through the grass catcher’s handle and over 3.
the mower’s lower handle crossbar to support the rear
of the grass catcher. See Fig. 3-6. Adjust the length of the

strap so that the bag is low to the ground but not dragging
on the ground.

Figure 3-6

6 se c t i O n 3 — as s e M b l y & se t-up

Operation

Using Your Lawn Mower

Please observe the following when operating your reel mower.

Be sure lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or other objects •
which could damage lawn mower or engine.

WARNING: The operation of any lawn mower can

result in foreign objects being thrown into the eyes,
which can damage your eyes severely. Always wear
safety glasses while operating the mower, or while
performing any adjustments or repairs on it.

Mow the lawn when the grass is relatively dry. Attempting •
to mow wet grass can result in an uneven cut.

Maintain a consistent walking pace while pushing the •
mower in straight passes.

Slightly overlap each pass to even the cut and avoid leaving •
uncut strips.

Mow the lawn regularly, at • least once a week during the
growing season. Mow more frequently than you would
with a conventional rotary lawn mower.

Always mow with the blade height adjusted to cut no more •
than / the total height of grass.

If the height of your lawn’s grass exceeds four inches, •

adjust the blade height to its highest position before
mowing. After mowing, readjust the blade to your
preferred cutting height and mow the lawn a second time
within the next one or two days.

Using Grass Catcher (Model TB R18)

You can use the grass catcher to collect clippings while you are
operating the mower.

Attach grass catcher following instructions in the Assembly 1.
& Set-Up section. Grass clippings will automatically collect
in catcher as you operate the mower. The faster you push
the mower, the more effectively it will collect clippings.

Operate the mower till grass catcher is full.

Remove the grass catcher’s strap from the lower handle’s 2.

crossbar and lift the grass catcher up and away from the
mower to remove the bag. Dispose of the grass clippings
and reinstall the bag when complete.

WARNING: If you strike a foreign object,

thoroughly inspect mower for any damage. Repair
any damage before operating.

4

Transporting the Mower

During normal operation, the blade reel will turn anytime the

mower’s front wheels are turning. To safely move the mower

from one location to another without the blade reel turning,
simply pivot the handle over the reel and push the mower

Figure 4-1

from the opposite side. See Fig. 4-1. Pushing the mower in this

manner (transport mode) prohibits the blade reel from turning.

7

Maintenance & Adjustments

5

Maintenance

General Recommendations

Always observe safety rules when performing any •
maintenance.

The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that •
have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To
receive full value from warranty, operator must maintain
the lawn mower as instructed here.

All adjustments should be checked at least once each •
season.

Periodically check all fasteners and make sure these are •

tight.

Regularly apply lubricant to mower’s cutting surfaces, •

cutting reel axle shaft and wheels.

Cleaning the Mower

To prevent the build-up of grass clippings or other debris, clean
the mower by wiping it down with a damp cloth after each use.

Scrape and clean the mower with a suitable tool (e.g. a •
plastic scraper or brush).

Do not use a pressure washer or garden hose to clean the •
mower.

Remove deposits from the wheel tread.•

Adjustments

WARNING: Mower blades are sharp and can cut.

Wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing
them. Any wheel rotation can cause the blade reel
to rotate.

Blade Clearance Adjustment

The blade reel is adjusted for proper clearance from the cutting

bar at the factory. However, after extended periods of mowing or

as part of annual maintenance, it is recommended that the blade
clearance be readjusted.

If blade clearance is too wide, the cutting pattern will be •
rough and uneven.

If blade clearance is too narrow, the machine will be noisy •
and difficult to push while operating.

To adjust blade clearance, proceed as follows:

Locate the adjustment bolts found on the underside of the 1.
cutting bar on the rear of the mower.

Using a 13mm wrench, tighten the adjustment bolts (one 2.
on each end) /-turn. See Fig. 5-1.

CAUTION: Do not overtighten the adjusting

screws, as this could damage the cutter bar. Tighten
both screws during final adjustment.

Blade Care

WARNING: Mower blades are sharp and can cut.

Wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing
them.

Periodically sharpen the blades as follows:

Spread a thin layer of lapping compound (100 - 240 grit) on 1.

the front edge of the reel blades.

Adjust the cutter bar so that the blade has light but firm 2.
contact across the full width of the cutter bar. Refer to

Blade Clearance Adjustment later in this section.

Operate the mower on a paved surface until the front edge 3.

of the cutter bar blade is polished.

Clean any grinding compound or debris from the cutter bar 4.
blade, reel blade, pinions, and pawls.

Figure 5-1

8