Weed Eater 96112009000, 96132005600, 96132005500, 96132005400, 96112009300 Owner’s Manual
...
OPERATO "S
DELUXE PUSH ROTARY
LAWN MOWER
0
Assembly
,, Operation
,, Maintenance
o Service and Adjustments
o Storage
o Troubleshooting
AWARNING: This lawn mower isequipped with an internalcombustionengine and
should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush-covered or
grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system isequipped with a spark
arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (ff any). If a spark arrester is used, it
should be maintained in etfectiveworking 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 simliar laws. Federal laws apply
on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler isavailable through your nearest
authorized service center,
193732 Rev, 5 09o24o10 BY Printed in US.Ao
Safely Rules ...........................2-3 Maintenance ...................14-16 Storage .............................18-I9
Assembly ................................4-7 Service and Troubleshooting ............19-20
Operation ........................8-13 Adjustments ................16-17
IMPORTANT: This cutting machine iscapable of amputating hands and feetand throwing ob-
jects. Failure toobserve the following safety instructions could result inserious injury or death°
_,Look for this symbol to point out impor- . Do not pull mower backwards unless
lant safety precautions. It means absolutely necessary. Always look down
CAUTIONI!! BECOME ALERTI!!
YOUR SAFETY 1SINVOLVED°
_WARNING: Inorder to prevent accidental
starling when setting up, transporting, ad-
justing or making repairs, always disconnect
spark plug wire andplace wirewhere itcannot
come in contact with plug.
_,WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its
constituents, and certain vehicle compo-
nents contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer and
blrth defects or other reproductive harm.
AWARNING: Battery posts, terminals and
related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to the State
of California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm. Wash
hands after handling.
CAUTION: Muffler and
other engine parts become
extremely hot during
operation and remain hot
alter engine has stopped.
To avoid severe burns on
contact, stay away fromthese areas
I. GENERAL OPERATION
, Read, understand, and follow all
instructions on the machine and in the
manual(s) before starting° Be thoroughly
familiar with the controls and the proper
use of the machine before starling
. Do not put hands or feet near or under
rotating parts,. Keep clear of the dis-
charge opening at all times,.
° Only al3owresponsible individuals, who
are familiar with the instructions, to oper-
ate the machine.
° Clear the area of objects such as rocks,
toys,wire, bones, slicks, etc. which
could be picked up and thrown by blade.
° Be sure the area is clear of other people
before mowing. Stop machine if anyone
enters the area.
. Do not operate the mower when bare-
foot or wearing open sandals.. Always
wear substantial fool wear
and behind before and while moving
backwards.
° Never direct discharged material toward
anyone_Avoid discharging material against
a wall or obstruction. Material may richo-
chef back toward the operator Stop the
blade when crossing gravel surfaces.
,, Do not operate the mower withoul
proper guards, plates, grass catcher or
other safety protective devices in place
• See manufacturer's instructions for
proper operation and installation of
accessories. Only use accessories ap-
proved by the manufacturer..
. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel
drives, walks, or roads.
. Stop the engine (motor) whenever you
leave the equipment, before cleaning the
mower or unclogging the chute..
° Shut the engine (motor) off and wait until
the blade comes Io complete stop before
removing grass catcher..
. Mow only in daylight / good artificial light..
. Do not operate the machine while under
the influence of alcohol or drugs.
° Never operate machine inwet grass,
Always be sure of your footing: keep a
firm hold on the handle; walk, never run.
° Disengage the self-propelled mech-
anism or drive clutch on mowers so
equipped before starting the engine,.
° if the equipment should start to vibrate
abnormally, stop the engine (motor) and
check immediately for the cause,. Vibra-
tion is generally a warning of trouble.
- Always wearsafety goggles or safety glass-
eswith sideshields when operating mowero
II, SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to slip &
fall accidents which can result in severe in-
jury..All slopes require extra caulion, If you
feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it.
DO:
• Mow across the face of slopes: never
up and down,. Exercise extreme caulion
2 when changing direction on slopes
o Remove obstacles (rocks, tree limbs, etc.)
o Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Tall
grass can hide obstacles,
DO NOT:
o Do not trim near drop-offs, ditches or
embankments The operator could lose
footing or balance°
° Do not trim excessively steep slopes,
° Do not mow on wet grass, Reduced foot-
ing could cause slipping,
III. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is
not alert to the presence of children Children
are often attracted to the machine and the
mowing activity. Neverassume that children
will remain where you last saw them.
o Keep children out of the trimming area
and under the watchful care of another
responsible adult.
o Be alert and turn machine off if children
enter the area,
o Before and while walking backwards,
look behind and down for small children,
° Never altow children to operate the mower,
o Use extra care when approaching blind
comers, shrubs, lrees, or other objects
that may obscure vision,
IV. SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE
Use extreme care in handling gasoline,
Gasoline is extremely flammable and the
vapors are explosive.
° Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes
and other sources of ignition.
° Use only an approved container_,
° Never remove gas cap or add fuel with
the engine running, Aliow engine to cool
before refueling.,
, Never refuel the machine indoors,
o Never store the machine or fuel contain-
er where there is an open flame, spark
or pilot fightsuch as a water heater or on
other appliances,,
. Never fill containers inside a vehicle, on
a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner,,
Always place containers on the ground
away from your vehicle before filling
• Remove gas-poweredequipment from the
truck ortrailer and refuel it onthe ground, If
this isnot possible, then refuel such equip-
ment with a portable container, rather than
from a gasoline dispenser nozzle,
° Keep the nozz{e in contact with the rim
of the fuel tank or container opening at
a!ttimes until fueling is complete., Do not
use a nozzle lock-open device,
o If fuel is spilled on clothing, change
clelhing immediately.
o Never overfill fuel tank, Replace gas cap
and tighten securely,,
V. GENERAL SERVlCE
° Never run machine inside a closed area,,
° Never make adjustments or repairs with
the engine (motor) running, Disconnect the
spark plug wire, and keep the wire away
from theplug toprevent accidental starting.
o Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade
attachment bolts, tight and keep equip-
ment in good condition,
° Never tamper with safety devices. Check
their proper operation regularly,
" Keep machine free ofgrass, leaves,orother
debris build-up Clean oil or fuel spillage,
Allow machine to coot before storing
° Stop and inspect the equipment if you
strike an object, Repair, ff necessary,
before restarting°
° Never attempt to make wheel height
adjustments while lhe engine is running.
° Grass catcher components are subject to
wear, damage, and deterioration, which
could expose moving partsor allow objects
tobethrown Frequently check components
and replace with manufacturer's recom-
mended parts, when necessary.
o Mower blades are sharp and can cuL
Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves, and
use extra caution when servicing them.
o Do not change the engine governor set-
ting or overspeed the engine,,
• Maintain or replace safety and instruc-
tion labels, as necessary,
CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of anew Lawn Mower. ithas been designed, engi-
neered and manufactured to give you the best possible dependability and performance.
Should you experience any problems you cannot easily remedy, please contact your
nearest aulhorized service center,,They have competent, well trained technicians and
the proper tools to service or repair this unit.
o
Read the SAFETY RULES and this Operator s Manual in its entirety before you at-
tempt to assemble or operate your new lawn mower to insure proper operatron and to
prevent injury to yourself and others_ Save this manual for future reference,
. Your new lawn mower has been assembled at the factory with the exception of those
parts left unassembled for shipping purposes, To ensure safe and proper operation
of your lawn mower, all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely°
Use the correct tools as necessary to ensure proper tightness.
• All paris such as nuts, washers, bolts, etc, necessary to complete the assembly have
been placed in the paris bag_ 3
TO REMOVE MOWER FROt_ CARTON
= Remove all loose parts from carton,,
• Remove lawn mower housing withcare, Avoid touching blade under housing.,Always
wear gloves or other protection whenworking under or liftingmower,.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU ASSEMBLE OR OPERATE YOUR LAWN
MOWER
Do ! have a side or rear discharge lawn
mower?
Look for the grass discharge opening on
your mower., Ifthe opening is on the right
side of the mower housing, it isa side
discharge mower. If the opening is at the
back of the mower housing, it is a rear dis-
charge mower, Oni'y rear discharge lawn
mowers have a grass catcher included with
the mower., Approved grass catchers for
side discharge mowers may be purchased
from your nearest authorized dealer.
Do I have a mulching lawn mower?
Look for the grass discharge opening on
your mower_ Raise the discharge guard
(rear door on rear discharge mowers). If
the opening is closed off by a plate, lhen
your lawn mower is mulcher ready, To
convert to a discharging mower, see the
Operalion section of this manual
FRONT
What is the right and left side of the
lawn mower?
When right hand (RH) or left hand (LH) is
mentioned in this manual, it means when
you are in the operating position (standing
behind the handle).
What kind of engine is on my lawn
mower?
When learning how to operate your new
lawn mower, you will need to know what
kind of engine powers the mower. A decal
on the engine wili indicate the manu-
facturer and type or brand name of the
engine,
BRIGGS &STRATTON ENGINES
LEFT
HAND
SIDE
BACK or REAR
(Operating Position)
RIGHT
HAND
SIDE
,_,CAUTION: Do not operate this lawn
mower withoutthe discharge guard or an
entire appreved grass catcher in place,.
These guards are for your protection and
are required by the American National
Standards Institute and Consumer Prod-
ucts Safety Commission.
_CAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire
from spark plug and place wire where it
cannot come in contact with plug.
HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN
MOWER
UNFOLD HANDLE
IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so
as not to pinch or damage control cables
2 POSITION/"ADJUSTABLE" HANDLES
• Raise handles until tower handre section
locks into place in operating position
[
controlbar
uP
MOWING
_.__POSITION
//
Upper
handte
Handle
knob
Lower handle
ALL HANDLES
o Raise upper handle section into place on
lower handle, remove protective padding
and tighten both handle knobs
,, Remove handle padding holding opera-
tor presence control bar to upper handle°
o Your lawn mower handle can be ad-
justed for your mowing comfort. Refer to
"ADJUST HANDLE" in the Service and
Adjustments section of this manual
NOTE: For shipping purposes, the rear
wheels on your lawn mower may not be
adjusted to the same position as the front
wheels. Before operating mower adjust all
wheels to the same culling height,
3 POSITION "EZ" HANDLES
. Raise lower handle section to operating
posilion and align hole in handle with
one of three height positioning holes.,
. Insert handle bolt through handle and
bracket and secure with knob,
o Repeat for opposite side of handle,
Knob ' _"_ Bolt
/ Handle
adjustment
bracket
3 POSITION "QUICK" HANDLES
° Raise lower handle section to operating
position and squeeze the bottom ends
of lower handle towards each other until
the pin in handle can be inserted into
one of the three heighl adjustment holes,,
SQUEEZE
Handle
adj
bracket
pfn
J
INSTALL REAR WHEELS
(HIGH WHEEL MOWERS ONLY)
Some high wheel models require washers
whichwillbe provided inapartsbag Ifprovid-
ed, installwasherson the axlefirst as shown,
• Install one (1) rear wheel on theaxle of
rear wheel adjuster°
. Install 3/8-16 Iocknul and tighten securely,
,, Repeat procedure for other rear wheel,
Axle
FIanged
Iocknut assembly
ASSEMBLE GRASS CATCHER
(REAR DISCHARGE MOWERS ONLY)
IMPORTANT: If your model lawnmower
is mulcher ready, the mulcher plate or p_ug
must be removed before using mower as
a bagger° Toconvert mower to bagging or
discharging, see the Operation section in
this manual_
Look at the different grass catcher illustra-
tions thatfollow, Determine which type
of grass catcher you have and follow the
appropriate instructions.
"FABRIC TOP" GRASS CATCHERS
TO ASSEMBLE AND ATTACH GR_SS
CATCHER :;
° Put grass catcher frame intograss bag
wilh rigid part of bag on the bottom,
', Slip vinyl bindings over frame
NOTE: If vinylbindings are too stiff, hold
!item in warm water for a few minutes., If
bag gets wet, let itdry before using.
• Lift the rear door on the mower housing.,
= For HINGE BRACKET mounted catcher,
place the grass catcher frame onto the
formed tabs on the rear door hinge
brackeL
= For HANDLE BRACKET mounted
catcher, place frame side hooks into
slots in handle brackets,
° For DOOR PIVOT PIN mounted catcher,
place the grass catcher frame hooks
onto the door pivot pins.
° For DOOR SLOT mounted catcher,
place the grass catcher frame hooks into
the slots of the rear door_
NOTE: The grass catcher is secured to the
lawn mower housing when the rear door is
lowered onto the grass catcl_er frame,
Frame
handle
HINGE BRACKET MOUNTED
Rear door
bracket
Grass
catcher
frame
\
\
Formed tabs
HANDLE BRACKET MOUNTED
Handle bracket Rear Grass
catcher
handle
Vinyl
binding
Frame
opening
=_]_CAUTION: Under normal usage, the
catcher material is subject to deterioration
and wear and should, therefore, be
checked frequently for repiacemen!o Any
replacement catcher should be checked to
ensure compliance with original manufac-
turer's specifications
_CAtJTtON: Do not run lawn mower
wilhout the discharge guard (rear door),
approved grass catcher, clipping deflector
or mulcher plate in placeo Never attempt
to operate mower with the discharge guard
(rear door) removed or propped open,
Catcherframesidehook
DOOR PIVOT PIN MOUNTED
_ins Rear Grass
Catcher frame hook
DOOR SLOT MOUNTED
Catcher frame hook
Rear door slots
catcher
handle
Grass
catcher
handle
SPARK PLUG BOOT
On some models a spark plug boot is
packed loose inthe parts bag It your
model has the boot, install on spark plug
wlre and reconnect spark plug wire to
spark plug.
Spark plug
UNITS WITH DECK-MOUNTED
BATTERY:
,, After charging, connect engine connector
(male) to batlery connector (female),
Your engine has an integral alternator for
partial charging., Connect your battery
charger tocharge battery as required.
IMPORTANT: The engine alternator witl
not charge a discharged battery.
ALL UNITS:
At the end of the mowing season the
battery should be charged for 48 hours to
protect the battery during winter storage.
_CAUTION: Always disconnect the
engine connector from the battery con-
nector to prevent accidental starting when
transporting or storing your lawn mower
after the season
TO PREPARE BATTERY
(ELECTRIC START MODELS ONLY)
NOTE: Your battery must be charged
before you can start your lawn mower
UNITS WITH HANDLE-MOUNTED KEY
SWITCH:
,, Connect battery charger connector
(mate) to harness conneclor (female).,
UNITS WITH DECK-MOUNTED
BATTERY:
• Disconnect engine connector (male)
from battery connector (female).
o Connect battery charger connector
(male) to battery connector (female).
ALL UNITS:
• Plug battery charger into 110 volt A.C.
outlet,,
. Leave battery charger connected for 24
hours before starting your engine for the
first time.,
UNITS WITH HANDLE-MOUNTED KEY
SWITCH:
, After charging, disconnect harness
connector (female) from battery charger
connector (male).
Connect your battery charger to charge
battery after each use,
IMPORTANT; The engine will not recharge
your battery,..
HANDLE-MOUNTED KEY SWITCH
Engine Harness
connector conneclor
\
connector (mate)
DECK-MOUNTED BATTERY
Battery
Charger
Harness
connector
(female)
Engine connector (male)
connector
(male)
ate)
Charger
Baltery
box
The operation of any !awn mower can result in foreign objects thrown into
the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage.. Always wear safety
glasses or eye shields wht!e operating your lawn mower or performing any
adjustments or repairs.. We recommend standard safety glasses or a wide
vision safety mask worn ever spectacles.
HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINESPEEDCONTROL
MODELS WITH REMOTE THROTTLE
Engine speed is controlled by the Ihrotlie
control located on lhe upper handie.
. Move lever forward to FAST engine
speed for starting and better bagging..
° Move lever backward for SLOW engine
speed
, Some models have engines equipped
with a choke feature. Move the lever alI
the way forward tothe CHOKE position
when starting a cold engine.
NOTE: Be sure engine START/STOP
switch (if equipped) is in the ON posilion
o Reinstall wheel components in the same
order as they were before removal.
Tighlen securely,.
o Make sure altwheels are at same height..
Flat washer
Wh
3t8-16
Spacer Locknut
FAST , ....
SLOW
CH "_ ' ' U I. 1 't
l I
|1
throttle
control
MODELS WITH FIXED SPEED ENGINES
Engine speed was set at the factory for
optimum performance. Engine speed is
not adjustab!e.
TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT
Adjustcutting heightto suit your require-
ments, Medium positionis best for most
lawns. Raise wheels for low cut and lower
wheels for highcut,,
MODELS WiTH MANUAL ADJUST
BOLT-ON WHEELS
, Remove wheel, bolt, and hardware and
reassemble in desired adjustment hole.
MODELS WITH "QUICK ADJUST"
WHEEL HEIGHT ADJUSTERS
NOTE: For shipping purposes, the rear
wheels on your lawn mower may not be
adjusted to the same position as the front
wheels. Before operating mower adjust all
wheels to the same cutting height..
. Raise wheels for low cut and !ower
wheels for high cut.
. Adjust culling height to suit your require-
menls. Medium position is best for most
lawns,
° Tochangecutting height, squeeze adjuster
lever toward wheel., Move wheel up or
down to suit your requirements, Be sure
all wheels are in the same setting,
NOTE: Adjuster is properlypositioned when
plate tab inserts into hole in lever. Also, 9-
position adjusters (if so equipped) allow lever
to be positioned between the plate tabs°
LEVERBACKWARD Platetab
TO LOWERMOWER
LEVERFORWARDTORAISEMOWER Lever
FOR MULCHING MOWERS ONLY
Most mulching mowers are shipped ready
to be used as a mulcher,
"REAR DISCHARGE ONLY" MOWERS
Some models have a seperate mulcher
plug, other models have the mulcher plug
built into the rear door, To convert to bag-
ging or discharging, the plate or plug (if
so equipped) must be removed from Ihe
discharge opening of the lawn mower-
. Open rear door and remove mWcher
plate or plug (if so equipped). Store
mulcher plate or plug in a safe place.,
° You can now install grass catcher or
optional clipping deflector accessory,
. To return to mulching operation, instalf
mulcher plate or plug into discharge
opening of mower_
A_,CAUTION: Do not runyour lawn mower
withoutmulcher plate/plug in place or ap_
proved clipping deflector or grass catcher
in place., Never attempt to operate the
lawn mower with thoroar door removed or
propped open_
MULCHER "PLATE"
SIols
Mulcher
pla{e tabs
MULCHER "PLUG"
MULGHER PLUG BUILT INTO REAR DOOR
"SIDE DISCHARGE ONLY" MOWERS
MULCHER PLATE TYPE
To convert tobagging or discharging,
mulcher plate must be removed from un-
derside of lawn mower°
• Remove the four (4) screws and lock nuts
securing the mulcher plate to the mower,,
. Store mulcher plateand hardware in a
safe place.
,. Mower can now be used for side
discharging or optionalgrass catcher
accessory, can be atlached.
= To return to mulching operation, simply
reinstall mulcher plate and tighten hard-
ware securely.
Screw end
lock nut
#
Mulcher plug 9
7
Mutcherplate
MULCHER PLUG TYPE "A"
To convert to mulching operation, mufcher
plug must be installed into discharge open
ing of mower_.
• Open discharge guard
• Insert tab of mulch plug into housing
opening.
- Align hooks of mulch plug over hinge
rod of discharge guard, Push mulch plug
down until mulch plug is seated in hous-
ing opening,
_,CAUTtON: Do not run your lawn mower
withoutdischarge guard, approved grass
catcher or mulcher plug in place.
Hin
Discharge
Muicher plug
MULCHER PLUG TYPE "B"
To convert to bagging or discharging:
• Lift discharge guard and remove
mulcher plug.
. Mower can now be usedfor side dis-
chargingor optional grass catchercan
be attached
° To return tomulching operation,simply
reinstall mulcher plugas shown, making
sure tab is seated properly_.
_CAUTION: Do not run your lawnmower
without discharge guard, approved grass
catcher or mulcher pluginplace.
MOWER IS
NOW READY
FOR MULCHING
OPERATION
"COMBI-CUT" MOWERS
Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be
used as a mulcher.. To convert to bagging
or discharging:
REAR BAGGING
• Open rear door and remove mulcher
plate., Store mulcher plate in a safe
place.
• You can now install grass catcher.
, To convert to mulching or discharging
operation, Install mulcher plug into rear
discharge opening of mower, making
sure all tabs are seated propedyo
Lift
guard
lnstall
mulcher
SIDE DISCHARGING
° Mulcher plate must be installed into rear
discharge opening of mower (see above
instructions),.
- Open mulcher door and Install discharge
deflector under door as shown°
• Mower is now ready for discharging
operation°
• To convert to mulching or bagging
operation, discharge deflector must be
removed and mulcher door must be
closed°
Tab
10
Mulcher
platetabs
Open muicher door
Discharge delleclor
_CAUTION:Donotrunyourlawn mower
withoutrear mulcher plate or plug in place
or approved grass catci_er inplace,. Never
atlempt to operate the lawn mower with
the rear door removed or propped open_
t
GRASS CATCHER
(REAR BAGGING MODELS ONLY)
TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER
° Simply open rear door and lift grass
catcher up and away from mower
NOTE: Do not drag the bag when
emptying It wil!cause unnecessary wear°
_CAUTION: Under normal usage, the
catcher material is subject to deterioration
and wear and should, therefore, be
checked frequently for replacemenL Any
replacement catcher should be checked
to ensure compliance with original
manufacturer's specifications,
,AOAUTtON: Do not run lawn mower
without the rear door, approved grass
catcher or clipping deflector in place,
Never attempt to operate mower with the
rear door removed or propped open.
SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER WHEN
CONVERTING YOUR "COMBI-CUT"
LAWN MOWER
FOR MULCHING -
. Rear mulcher plate installed and rear
door closed_
• Mulcher door closed.
FOR REAR BAGGING -
, Rear mulcher plate removed
• Grass catcher installed.
• Mulcher door closed,
FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -
,, Rear mulcher plate installed and rear
door closed,.
o Discharge deflector installed,
OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL
BAR
Your lawn mower is equipped with an op-
erator presence controlbar which requires
the operator tobe positioned behind the
lawn mower handte in order to start and
,_erate the lawn mower
CAUTION; Federal regulalions require
an engine control to be installed on this
lawn mower inorder to minimize the
risk of blade contact injury. Do not under
any circumstances attemptto defeat the
functionof the operator control. The blade
turns when the engine is running.
!1
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
Read the engine manua_packed with your
mower+
FILL ENGINE WITH OIL
"Yourlawn mower is sh_ppedwithout oil in
the engine.,
• Be sure mower is level and area around
of! t_llis clean.
. Remove engine oit filler plug (otl fill cap/
dipstick on models so equipped),.
+ Slewty add oil For type and grade of
oit to use, see "ENGINE" in the Mainte-
nance section of thismanual.
° Fill to the top of slot in filler here (to
"FULL" line on dipstick on models so
equipped). Do not overfill.
+ Replace p_ug(oil fillcap/dipstick on
models so equipped) and tightem
° Check oil level before each use Add oil
as needed,
= To change oil, see Maintenance section
of this manual°
FILL GASOLINE TANK
= Fill gasoline tank with fresh, clean, un-
leaded gasoline. DO NOT USE PRE-
MIUM GASOLINE, BE CAREFUL NOT
TO OVERFILL TANK.
WARNING: Alcohol blended fuels (called
gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can
altract moisture which leads to separation
and formation of acids during storage_
Acidic gas can damage the fuel system
of an engine while in storage, To avoid
engine problems, the fuel system should
be emptied before storage of 30 days
or longer. Drain the fuel tank, start the
engine and let it rununtil fuel lines and
carburetor are empty. Use fresh fue! next
season.. See Storage Instructionsfor
additional intormationo Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in fuel tank
or permanent damage may occur+
° ifyour mower has a primer, to start a
cold engine, push primer as many times
as instructed in the engine manual
packed with your mower,. Use a firm
push, This step is not usually necessary
when starting an engine which has
already run for a few minutes+
• Hold operator presence control bar
down against handle.
MODELS WITH RECOIL STARTER
, Pull starter handle quickly+ Do not allow
starter rope to snap back.
MODELS WITH ELECTRIC STARTER
• Push the engine start button (or turn the
key on models so equipped),
IMPORTANT: Do not crank engine more
than five continous seconds each time you
try to start. Wait 5 to 10 seconds between
each attempt+
ALL MODELS
• For engines equipped with choke, slowly
move engine speed control lever to
FAST after engine starts+
TO STOP ENGINE
, To stop engine, release operator pres-
ence controlbar and/or place engine
START/STOP switch (if equipped) in the
OFF position_
NOTE: For engines wilh a primer, it may
be necessary to repeat priming steps
in cooler weather, in warmer weather,
overprimlng may cause flooding and
engtne will not start+. Ifyou do flood
engine, wait a few minutes before
attempting to start and DO NOT repeat
priming steps.
TO START ENGINE
_CAUTION: The mower b_ade rotates
whenever the engine is running,. \
NOTE: Due to protective coatings on the
engine, a small amount of smoke may be
present during the initialuse of the product Rec
and should be considered normal, starter
• Place engine START/STOP switch (if handle
equipped) in the ON position.
. Move engine speed control to FAST
position (or to CHOKE/START position
on models equipped with choke feature)+.
12
MOWING TIPS
CAUTION: Do not use de-thatcher
blade attachments on your mower..Such
attachments are hazardous, will damage
your mower and could void your warranty.
,, For most cutting conditions and better
bagging performance, the engine speed
should be set in the FAST position.
. Under certain conditions, such as when
mowing very tall grass, raise the mower
height on the firstcut to reduce pushing
effort, to avoid overheating the engine,
and Io avoid leaving clumps of grass
clippfngs_ Make the second cut to the
desired height•
,, For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the
width of cut.
o For side discharge lawn mowers, cut in
a counterclockwise direction, starting at
the outside of the area to be cut, in order
to spread grass clippings more evenly
and to put less load on the engine To
keep clippings off of walkways, flower
beds, etc,, make the first cuts in a clock-
wise direction_
f
f
1
(
FOR MULCHING MOWERS ONLY
- MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT; For best performance, keep
mower housing free of built-up grass and
trash. See "CLEANING" inthe Mainte-
nance section of this manual.
• The special mulching blade will recur the
grass clippings many times and reduce
them in size so that as they fall onto the
lawn they will disperse into the grass
and not be noticed A_so,the mu_ched
grass wilt biodegrade quickly to provide
nutrients for the lawn, Always mulch with
your highest engine (blade) speed as
this will provide the best recutting action
of the blades..
• Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet.
Wet grass tends to form clumps and
interfereswith the mulching action. The
best time to mow your lawn isthe early
afternoon At this time the grass has
dried, yet the newly cut area will not be
exposed to direct sunlighL
, For best results, adjust the lawn mower
cutting height so that the lawn mower
cuts off only the top one-third of the
grass blades.. If the lawn is overgrown it
wil! be necessary to raise the height of
cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep
from overloading the engine and leaving
clumps of mulched grass For extremely
heavy grass, reduce your width of cut by
overlapping previously cut path and mow
slowly.
,' When using a rear discharge lawn
mower in moist, heavy grass, clumps
of cut grass may not enter the grass
catcher_. Reduce ground speed (pushing
speed) and!or run the lawn mower over
the area a second time
,, If a trailof grass clipping is left on the
rightside of a rear discharge lawn mow-
er, mow in a clockwise direction with a
small ovedap to collect the clippings on
the next pass.
, Pores in cloth grass catchers can be-
come filled with dirt and dust with use
and the catcher wil_collect less grass.
To prevent this,regularlyhose catcher
off with water and let dry before use.
• Certain types of grass and grass
conditions may require that an area be
mulched a second time to completely
hide the clippings, When doing a second
cut, mow across (perpendicular) to the
first cut path:.
o Change your cutting pattern from week
toweek.. Mow norlh tosouth one week
then change to east to west the next
week. This will help prevent matting and
graining of the lawn.
13
MAKNTENANC_' BEFOREA_E. EVE.V EVERY
$CHEDULI¢' use use .OURSORSEASO..OU.SSTORAGE
........... i1,1,111,11'II'_L' i_, _1 ,i
Check for Loose Fasteners "t_
sac. EAc. lO =5.ou.s to0
At Ci_"n,"t"spectGrasscatcher' _ ............._' j
W Check DriveWheels "* ,..............1_,.....
Craan Lawn Mower .... t_ I_ ....
M Clean under Drive Cover *'" . ,,.,V _.......
0 Check DriveBef!/Pul!eys'" V' ......
t_ Check / Sharpen ! Replace Blade .... L/3 I
. Lubr,oe,on .... . i i V'.......
Clean and Recharge Satiety °" _,t
Check EngineOll revel _s
_ Change Engine Oil .................................... _'_
Clean Air Filter I_
? Inspec| M_lfter ................ _'
N Replace Spark Plug
E Replace Air Filter Paper Cartridge $,_
Emply fuel system or add Stabifizer ° ......................' ..... _ .......
* (_fso equipped) "t - Change more ellen _ operating under a hea W load or in high ouldeor temperal_JmS
** EfeclrtmStarl mowers 2 - Service more often It operaling In dldy or dusty conditions
*** Power-Propelled mower_ 3 - Replace blades more o|tan when mowing tn sandy soft
**** Use e scraper 4 - Charge 4B hours at end o_season
to clean under deck 5 - And sitar each 5 hours o| use
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
The warranty on this lawn mower does not
cover itemsthat have been subjected to op-
erator abuse or negligence° To receive full
value from the warranty, operatormustmain-
tain mower as instructed in thismanual
Some adjustments will need to be made
periodically to properly maintain your uniL
All adjustments in the Service and Adjust_
ments section of this manual should be
checked at least once each season.
• Once a year, replace the spark plug,
clean or replace air filter element, and
check blade for wear° A new spark plug
and cleantnew air filter element assures
proper air-fuel mixture and helps your
engine run better and last longer.
. Follow the Maintenance Schedule in this
manual
BEFORE EACH USE
" Check engine oil level
• Check for loose fasteners°
LUBRICATION
Keep unitwell lubricated
(See "LUBRICATION CHART")
IMPORTANT: Do not oil or grease plastic
wheel bearings. Viscous lubricants wilt
_) Handle bracket mounting pins
_See "ENGINE" InMaintenance sectlono
attract dust and dirt that will shorten the life
of the self-lubricating bearings. If you feel
they must be lubricated, use only a dry,
14p°wdered graphite type lubricant sparingly,
LUBRICATION CHART
(_ Wheel
adluster (on
each wheel)
Engine oil
Side dis-
charge mower
guard htnge rod
Rear dis-
charge mower
rear door
hingerod
Spray lubricant
LAWN MOWER
Always observe safety rules when perform-
ing any mainlenance
TIRES
, Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect
controlchemicalswhichcan harm rubber.,
° Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp
objects and other hazards that may
cause tire damage,
BLADE CARE
For best results, mower blade must be kept
sharp° Replace a bent or damaged blade.
CAUTION: Use only a replacement
blade approved by the manufacturer of
your mower,, Using a blade not approved
by the manufacturer of your mower is
hazardous, could damage your mower and
void your warranty.
TO REMOVE BLADE
1, Disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug and place wire where it cannot
come in contact with plug.
2. Turn lawn mower on its side° Make sure
air filter and carburetor are up,,
3. Use a wood block between blade and
mower housing to prevent blade from
turningwhen removing blade bolt.,
NOTE: Protect your hands with gloves
and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.
4. Remove blade bolt by turningcounter-
clockwise°
5. Remove blade and attaching hard-
ware (belt, lock washer and hardened
washer)
NOTE: Remove the blade adapter and
check the key inside hub of blade adapter,
The key must be in good condition to work
properly. Replace adapter if damaged°
TO REPLACE BLADE
1, Position the blade adapter on the en-
gine crankshaft. Be sure key in adapter
and crankshaft keyway are aligned,
2, Position blade on the blade adapter
aligning the two (2) holes in lhe blade
with the raised lugs on the adapter.,
3, Be sure the trailing edge of blade (op-
posite sharp edge) is up toward the
engine,
4. Installthe blade bolt with the lock wash-
er and hardened washer into blade
adapter and crankshaft.
5 Use block of wood between blade and
lawn mower housing and tighten the
blade bolt, turning clockwise.
° The recommended tighteningtorque is
35-40 ft. tbs.
IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is heat treated,,
If bolt needs replacing, replace only with
approved bolt shown in the Repair Parts
section of lhis manual..
Blade adapte Crankshaft
Blade
Lockwasher
Blade
bolt washer ,,/\ -..._J/" Belt
Crankshaft relainer
keyway
TO SHARPEN BLADE
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening
blade _but if you do, be sure the blade is
balanced. An unbalanced blade wi!l cause
eventual damage to lawn mower or engine
• The blade can be sharpened with a lile
or ona grinding wheel, Do not attempt to
sharpen while on the mower.,
. Tocheck blade balance, drive a nail into
a beam or walt, Leave about one inch of
the straight nat! exposed_Place center
hole of blade over the head of the nailo
If blade is balanced, it should remain in
a horizonta! position., If either end of the
blade moves downward, sharpen the
heavy end until the blade ts balanced
ENGINE
Read ihe maintenance section of your
engine manual.
LUBRICATION
Change the oil after the first two hours of
operation and every 25 hours thereafter or
at least once a year if the lawn mower is
not used for 25 hours in one year° Refer to
engine manual.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
(SEE ENGINE MANUAL)
° Be sure lawn mower is on level surface.
o O11wtlt drain more freely when warm.
, Catch oil ina suitable container.
° For engines without dipstick, remove
bottom oil drain plug,
= For engines with oil fill cap/dipstick,
remove bottom drain plug or remove em
gine oil cap and turn mower on itsside°
• After oll has drained completely, replace
oil drain plug and tighten securely°
• Refill engine withoil. Pour slowly_ Do
not overfill
° Fill to top of slot insideof filler hole or
to "FULL" line on dipstick on models so
equipped Keep oil at proper level,
t5
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly and may
be damaged by using a dirty air filter,
Clean the element after every 25 hours
of operation or every season., Replace
the air filter every 100 hours of operation
or every season, whichever occurs first.
Service air cleaner more often under dusty
conditions, See the maintenance section
of your engine manual.
MUFFLER
Inspectand replace corroded muffler as it
could create a fire hazard and/or damage_
IN-LINE FUEL FILTER
(KOHLER ENGINES ONLY)
The fue! filtershould be replaced once
each season. If fuel filter becomes
clogged, obstructing fuel flow to carbu-
retor, replacement isrequired.
1., Withengine cool, remove filter and plug
fuel fine sections,
2, Place new fuel filter in position in fuel
line with arrow pointing towardscarbu-
retor,
3_ Be sure there are no fuel line leaks and
clamps are properly positioned.
4. Immediately wipe up any spilled gaso-
line,,
SPARK PLUG
Replace spark plug at the beginning of
each mowing season or after every 100
hours of operation,whicheveroccurs first.
Set spark plug gap according to engine
manual specifications
CLEANING
IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep
mower housing free of grass build-up and
trash. CIean the underside of your mower
after each use
o Clean the underside of your lawn mower
by scraping to remove buildup of grass
and Irash.
. Clean engine often to keep trash from
accumulating, A clogged engine runs
hotter and shortens engine life.,
• Keep finished surfaces and wheels free
of at! gasoline, oil, etco
We do not recommend using a garden
hose to clean your 7awnmower unless the
electrical system, muffler, air filter, and
carburetor are covered to keep water out°
Water in enginecan shorten engine life,_
GRASS CATCHER (IF SO EQUIPPED)
Grass catcher may be hosed wilh water
but mustbe dry when used,,
_CAUTION: Under normal usage, the
calcher materialis subject to deterioration
and wear and should therefore be checked
to ensure compliance with original
manufacturer specifications_
,_CAUTION: Before performing any ser_
vice or adjustments:
o Release operator presence control bar
• Make sure the blade and all moving
parts have completely stopped,,
. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug and place wire where it cannot
come in contact with plug,
LAWN MOWER
REAR DEFLECTOR
The rear deflector, attached between the
rear wheels of your mower, is provided to
minimize the possibility that objects witl
be thrownout of the rear of the mower
intothe operator's mowing position, tf the
deflector becomes damaged, itshould be
replaced.
DISCHARGE GUARD (IF EQUIPPED) o
The discharge guard, attached to the side
discharge opening of your tawn mower, is
provided to prevent the possibility of injury
resulting from objects being thrown out of 16
the discharge opening intothe operator
mowing position. If the discharge guard
becomes damaged, it should be replaced
TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT
See "TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT" in
the Operation section of this manual,
TO ADJUST HANDLE
2 POSITION HANDLES
The handle can be mounted in a high or
tow position,, The mounting holes in the
bottom of lower handle are off center for
raising or lowering the handle.
° Remove upper handle and all parts at-
tached to lower handle,
° Remove hairpin cotters from lower
handle bracket mounting pin.,
o Squeeze lower handle in to remove it
from mounting pins
Turn lower handle over to raise or lower
handle
Squeeze lower handle in and position
holes onto mounting pins on handle
bracket.
° Reassemble hairpin cotters onto mount-
ing pins..
° Reassemble upper handle and all parts
removed from lower handle.
Mowing r'_; Mowing _-_,
positton I i pos{tion / /
I
Hairpin "_ r,_"_.._II Handle
€ot[er__ l_"bracke!
Mounting_
pin
LOW POSITION HIGH POSITION
TURN LOWER
HANDLEOVER
TOADJUSTHEIGHT
3 POSITION "EZ"
The handle on your lawn mower has three
(3) height positions - adjust to height that
suils you,
• Remove knob and carriage bolt on one
side of the lower handle°
, While holding handle assembly, remove
knob and carriage bolt from opposite
side, align hole in handle with desired
hole in handle bracket and reassemble
bolt and knob and tighlen securely.
° Align opposite side of handle with same
posilioning hole and secure with boll and
knob°
High -1_'----'-_ Boll
Knob
i-
/
_andle
rlokat
3 POSITION "QUICK"
The handle on your lawn mower has three
(3) height positions - adjust to height that
suits you.
, Squeeze the bottom ends of lower
handle towards each other until the pin
in handle can be inserted into one of the
three height adjustment holes
_ln
Medium
adjustment
SQ
ENGINE
CARBURETOR
The carburetor has been preset at the fac-
tory and adjuslment should not be neces-
sary. However, minor adjuslment may be
required to compensate for differences In
fuel, temperature, altitude or load.
• The air filter must be assembled to lhe
carburetor when running engine..
, Best carburetor adjustment is obtained
when fue! tank is 1/4 full..
• In order for the engine to run, the opera-
tor presence control bar must be held
in the operating position. Therefore,
and assistant will be required to hold
the control bar in the operating position
when making final adjustment to the
carburetor,
See the ADJUSTMENT section of your
engine manual for furlher instructions.,
ENGINE SPEED
The engine speed has been factory set.
Do not attempt to increase engine speed
as it may result in personal injury° If you
believe the engine is running too fast
or too slow, take your lawn mower to an
authorized engine service center for repair
and adjustment.
THROTTLE CONTROL
If it becomes necessary to adjust or re-
place the throttle control, see the ADJUST-
17MENT section of your engine manual.
Handle
bracket
Immediatelyprepareyourlawnmowerfor
storageattheendoftheseasonorifthe
unitwiltnotbeusedfor30daysormore.
_,CAUTION:Neverstorethelawnmower
withgasolineinthetankinsideabuilding
wherefumesmayreachanopenflame
orspark.Allowtheengineto cool before
storing in any enclosure°
LAWN MOWER
When lawn mower is to be stored for a pe-
riodof time, clean it thoroughly,remove all
dirt, grease, leaves, etco Store in a clean,
dry area,
• Clean entire lawn mower (See "CLEAN-
ING" in the Maintenance section of this
manual).
• Lubricate as shown in the Maintenance
section of this manual.
o Be sure that all nuts, bolts, screws, and
pins are securely fastened° Inspect
moving parts for damage, breakage and
wear. Replace if necessary..
o Touch up all rusted or chipped paint
surfaces; sand lightly before painting°
HANDLE
Your handle may be folded for storage as
shown.
• Squeeze the bottom ends of lower
handle towards each other until handle
clears the handle brackets and swing
handles forward over mower..
° Loosen upper handle mounting hard-
ware enough to allow upper handle to be
folded back,
IMPORTANT: When folding handles for
storage or transportation, be sure to fold
handles as shown or you may damage the
control cables.
Operator MOWING
I _ POSITION
control bar
FOLD
FORWARD Upper
FOR handie
STORAGE .',
Handle
knob
Lower handle
2 POSITION /"ADJUSTABLE" HANDLES
When setting you handles up from the
storage positton, the lower handle will
aulomatica!]y lock into mowing position°
3 POStTION HANDLES
When setting up your handle from the stor-
age position, the lowerhandle will require
manually locking into the mowing posilion,.
3 POSITION "EZ"
Knob
Handle
uslment
bracket
SQUEEZE
TO FOLD
Handle
adj
bracket
18
SQUEEZE
3 POSITION "QUICK"
_ndlepin
ENGINE
FUEL SYSTEM
IMPORTANT: Itisimportant toprevent gum
deposits fromforming inessential fuelsystem
parts such ascarburetor, fuelfilter,fuel hose,
or tank during storage. Alcohol blended fuels
(called gasohol or using ethanol ormeUtanol)
can altract moisture which leads to separa-
tion and formation of acids during slorage.
Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of
an engine while in storage,
. Drain the fuel tank,
. Start the engine and let it run until the
fuel lines and carburetor are empty_
. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner
producls in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur,,
, Use fresh fue!next season.
NOTE: Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable al-
ternative in minimizing the formation of fue!
gum deposits during storage° Add stabilizer
to gasoline in fuel tank or storage container.
Always follow themix ratio found on stabilizer
container. Run engine at least 10 minutes
after adding stabilizer to allow the slabtlizer
to reach thecarburetor,, Do not drain the gas
tank and carburetor if using fuel stabilizer.
ENGINE OIL
Drain oil (with engine warm) and replace
with clean oil, (See "ENGINE" in the Main-
tenance section of this manual)_
CYLINDER
• Remove spark plugo
o Pour one ounce (29 ml) of oil through
spark plug hole into cylinder,.
• Pull starter handle slowly to distribute oil.,
• Replace with new spark plug
BATTERY (IF EQUIPPED)
Disconnect the battery from the engine
connector and charge battery 48 hours,
OTHER
o Do not store gasoline from one season
to another,
• Replace your gasoline can if your can
starts to rusL Rust and/or dirt in your
gasoline will cause problems,
o If possible, store your unit indoors and
cover it to protect it from dust and dirt,
. Cover your unit with a suitable protective
cover that does not retain moisture. Do
not use plastic, Plastic cannot breathe,
which allows condensation to form and
will cause your unit to rust.
IMPORTANT: Never cover mower while
engine and exhaust areas are still warm
_CAUTION: Never store the lawn mower
with gasoline in the tank inside a building
where fumes may reach an open flame
or spark. Allow the engine to cool before
storing tn any enclosure.
See appropriate section in manual unless directed to an authorized
Service Center.
PROBLEM
Does notstart
CAUSE
I,. Dirty air filter..
2. Out of fuel.
3. Stale fuel
4_ Water in fuel,,
5_ Spark plug wire is
disconnected.
6, Bad spark plug.
7,, Loose blade or broken
blade adapter_
8,, Control bar in released
position.
9. Control bar defective.
10.Fuel valve lever (if so
equipped) in OFF position,
11,.Weak battery' (if equipped).,
12.Disconnected battery
connector (if equipped),
13,Blown fuse (if equipped)°
19
CORRECTION
1, Clean/replace air fitter.,
2o Fill fuel tank°
3,, Drain fuel tank and reffll tank
with fresh, clean gasoline.
4. Drain fuel tank and refill tank
with fresh, clean gssoUne.,
5, Connect wire to plug,,
6_ Replace spark plug.
7_ Tighten blade bolt or
replace blade adapter_
8o Depress control bar to
handle,
9. Replace control bar.,
t0, Turn fuel valve lever
tothe ON position°
11. Charge battery
12_Connect battery to engine.
13. Replace fuse°
TROUBLESHOOTING - See appropriate section in manual unless directed
to an authorized Service Center,
PROBLEM CAUSE
Loss of power 1o Rear of lawn mower
housingorcuttingblade
dragging in heavy grass_
2. Cutting too much grass°
3, Dirty air filter,
4. Buildup of grass, leaves,
and trash under mower,
5, Too much oilin engine°
6. Walking speed too fast-
Poor cut- I. Worn, bent or looseblade,
uneven
2, Wheel heights uneven°
3,, Buildup of grass, leaves
and trash under mower.
......i ........................
Excessive 1, Worn, bent or loose blade
vibration
2_ Bent engine crankshaft.,
1, Raise cutting height°
2_ Raise cutting height,
3., Clean/replace air filter°
4o Clean underside of mower
housing_
5o Check oi! level.,
6. Cut at slower walking speed°
1_ Replace blade.Tighten
blade bolt.
2., Set all wheels at same
height.
3. Clean underside of
mower housing.
1. Replace blade, Tighten
blade bolt,,
2_ Contact a qualified service
center,
Starter rope 14 Engine flywhee! brake is on
hard to pull whencontrol bar is released°
2, Bent engine crankshaft.
3,, Blade adapter broken_
4, Blade dragging in grass,
Grass catcher 1. Cutting height too Iow_
not filling 2, Lift on blade worn off,,
(If so equipped) 3o Catcher not venting airL
Hard to push 1,, Grass istoo high or wheel
height is too low,,
2o Rear of lawn mower
housing or cutting blade
dragging in grass,,
3_ Grass catcher 1oo full,
4o
Handle height position not
fight for you,
1o Depress control bar to
upper handle before
pulling starter rope,
2_ Contact a qualified service
center.
3,, Replace blade adapter.
4., Move lawn mower to cut
grass or to hard surlace
1o Raise cutting height°
2. Replace blade.
3. Clean grass catcher,,
1L, Raise cutting height.
2,, Raise rear of lawn mower
housing one (1) setting
higher,
3. Empty grass catcher,.
4,. Adjust handle height to suit.,
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