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Toro 20997 Operator's Manual

53cm recycler
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53cm Recycler
Model No. 20997—Serial No. 310000001 and Up
Introduction
This rotary-blade, walk-behind lawn mower is
intended to be used by residential homeowners.
It is designed primarily for cutting grass on
well-maintained lawns on residential properties. It
is not designed for cutting brush or for agricultural
uses.
Read this information carefully to learn how to operate
and maintain your product properly and to avoid injury
and product damage. You are responsible for operating
the product properly and safely.
You may contact Toro directly at www.Toro.com for
product and accessory information, help finding a
dealer, or to register your product.
Whenever you need service, genuine Toro parts, or
additional information, contact an Authorized Service
Dealer or Toro Customer Service and have the model
and serial numbers of your product ready. Figure 1
identifies the location of the model and serial numbers
on the product.
Figure 1
1. Model and serial number plate
Write the product model and serial numbers in the space
below:
Model No.
Serial No.
This manual identifies potential hazards and has
safety messages identified by the safety alert symbol
(Figure 2), which signals a hazard that may cause serious
© 2011—The Toro® Company
8111 Lyndale Avenue South
Bloomington, MN 55420
Lawn Mower
®
injury or death if you do not follow the recommended
precautions.
1. Safety alert symbol
This manual uses two words to highlight information.
Important calls attention to special mechanical
information and Note emphasizes general information
worthy of special attention.
This product complies with all relevant European
directives. For details, see the separate product specific
Declaration of Conformity (DOC) sheet.
For models with stated engine horsepower, the gross
horsepower of the engine was laboratory rated by the
engine manufacturer in accordance with SAE J1940.
As configured to meet safety, emission, and operating
requirements, the actual engine horsepower on this class
of lawn mower will be significantly lower.
Do not tamper with the engine controls or alter the
governor speed; doing so may create an unsafe condition
resulting in personal injury.
Safety
Improperly using or maintaining this mower can
result in injury. To reduce the potential for injury,
comply with these safety instructions.
Toro designed and tested this mower for reasonably safe
service; however, failure to comply with the following
instructions may result in personal injury.
To ensure maximum safety, best performance, and
to gain knowledge of the product, it is essential
that you and any other operator of the mower read
and understand the contents of this manual before
the engine is ever started. Pay particular attention
to the safety alert symbol (Figure 2) which means
Caution, Warning, or Danger—"personal safety
Register at www.Toro.com.
Form No. 3363-918 Rev B
Operator's Manual
Figure 2
Original Instructions (EN)
Printed in the USA
All Rights Reserved

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Summary of Contents for Toro 20997

  • Page 1 Authorized Service For models with stated engine horsepower, the gross Dealer or Toro Customer Service and have the model horsepower of the engine was laboratory rated by the and serial numbers of your product ready. Figure 1 engine manufacturer in accordance with SAE J1940.

  • Page 2: General Lawn Mower Safety

    instruction.” Read and understand the instruction • Before using, always visually inspect to see that because it has to do with safety. Failure to comply guards, and safety devices, such as deflectors and/or with the instruction may result in personal injury. grass catchers, are in place and working correctly.

  • Page 3: Sound Pressure

    – before removing the grass catcher. • To ensure the best performance and safety, – before making height adjustment unless purchase only genuine Toro replacement parts adjustment can be made from the operator’s and accessories. Do not use will fit parts and position.

  • Page 4: Safety And Instructional Decals

    Safety and Instructional Decals Important: Safety and instruction decals are located near areas of potential danger. Replace damaged decals. 112-8760 1. Thrown object hazard—keep bystanders a safe distance 107-1946 from the machine. 1. Handle Upright 3. Release foot switch to fold 2.

  • Page 5: Unfolding The Handle

    Setup Important: Remove and discard the protective plastic sheet that covers the engine. Unfolding the Handle No Parts Required 117-5918 Procedure 1. Fast 3. Slow 2. Continuous variable 1. Unfold the handle as illustrated in Figure 3 and setting Figure 4. 116-1716 1.

  • Page 6: Filling The Engine With Oil

    Filling the Engine with Oil Install the Mulch Plug or Grass No Parts Required No Parts Required Procedure Procedure Important: Your mower does not come with oil in the engine. You must correctly install the mulch plug (for mulching 1. Remove the dipstick (Figure 5). or side-discharging) or grass bag (for bagging) or the engine will not start.

  • Page 7: Product Overview

    Note: If the lever does not latch properly, disconnect the wire from the spark plug and check for and remove any debris buildup in the tunnel. Product Overview Figure 7 2. Squeeze the button on the lever with your thumb and fully insert the mulch plug into the opening (Figure 8).

  • Page 8: Specifications

    Specifications Service Interval: Before each use or daily Model Weight Length Width Height 1. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean, and fully install 20997 82 lb 62 in 22 in 44 in the dipstick (Figure 13). (37 kg) (157 cm)

  • Page 9: Adjusting The Cutting Height

    Adjusting the Cutting Height WARNING Adjusting the cutting height may bring you into contact with the moving blade, causing serious injury. • Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop. • Do not put your fingers under the housing when adjusting the cutting height.

  • Page 10: Using The Self-Propel Drive

    Note: If the mower does not start, contact an Authorized Service Dealer. Using the Self-propel Drive To operate the self-propel drive, squeeze the self-propel drive bar (Figure 18) toward the handle and hold it. G012205 Figure 19 Figure 18 1. Self-propel drive bar Disengaging the Blade To disengage the self-propel drive, release the self-propel Release the blade control bar.

  • Page 11: Mulching The Clippings

    Not Using the Grass Bag 1. Move the mower onto a paved surface in a non-windy area. 2. Set all 4 wheels to the 3-1/4 inch (83 mm) cut setting. 3. Take a half sheet of newspaper and crumple it into a ball small enough to go under the mower housing (about 3 inches or 76 mm in diameter).

  • Page 12: Side-Discharging The Clippings

    2. Route the starter rope around the lower rope guide (Figure 22). Figure 24 Figure 22 2. Lift the grass bag handle out from the grooves at the top of the mower and remove the bag from the mower (Figure 25). Note: The lower rope guide releases the starter rope when you pull the recoil start handle.

  • Page 13: Operating Tips

    • For best performance, install a new blade before the cutting season begins. • Replace the blade when necessary with a Toro Figure 28 replacement blade. 3. Install the side discharge chute and close the door Cutting Grass onto the chute (Figure 29).

  • Page 14: Recommended Maintenance Schedule(S)

    • Alternate the mowing direction. This helps disperse set the front wheels at 2 inches (51 mm) and the the clippings over the lawn for even fertilization. rear wheels at 2-1/2 inches (64 mm). • If the finished lawn appearance is unsatisfactory, try Cutting Leaves one or more of the following: –...

  • Page 15: Changing The Engine Oil

    2. Replace the air filter (Figure 33). Figure 33 3. Install the cover. Figure 31 Changing the Engine Oil 3. After performing the maintenance procedure(s), Service Interval: After the first 5 hours connect the spark plug wire to the spark plug. Yearly Important: Before tipping the mower to change the oil or replace the blade, allow the fuel tank...

  • Page 16: Adjusting The Self-Propel Drive Cable

    Figure 37 G012203 3. Install the rear wheels. Figure 35 Adjusting the Self-propel Drive 4. Slowly pour oil into the oil fill tube until the oil level Cable reaches the Full line on the dipstick (Figure 36). Do not overfill. (Max. fill: 20 oz., type: SAE 30 Whenever you install a new self-propel cable or if detergent oil with an API service classification of SF, the self-propel drive is out of adjustment, adjust the...

  • Page 17: Replacing The Blade

    Replacing the Blade Important: A bolt torqued to 60 ft-lb (82 N-m) is very tight. While holding the blade with a Service Interval: Yearly block of wood, put your weight behind the ratchet or wrench and tighten the bolt securely. Important: You will need a torque wrench to install This bolt is very difficult to overtighten.

  • Page 18: Removing The Mower From Storage

    1. On the last refueling of the year, add fuel stabilizer to the fuel as directed by the engine manufacturer. 2. Run the mower until the engine stops from running out of fuel. 3. Prime the engine and start it again. 4.
  • Page 19 Spypros Stavrinides Limited Cyprus 357 22 434131 Surge Systems India Limited India 91 1 292299901 T-Markt Logistics Ltd. Hungary 36 26 525 500 Toro Australia Australia 61 3 9580 7355 Toro Europe BVBA Belgium 32 14 562 960 374-0269 Rev A...
  • Page 20 Instructions for Obtaining Warranty Service The Toro® Company and its affiliate, Toro Warranty Company, pursuant to If you think that your Toro Product contains a defect in materials or an agreement between them, jointly promise to repair the Toro Product...

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