TABLE OF CONTENTS Safety Rules ....2-3 Maintenance ..... 22-26 Storage ..... 33-34 Service and Troubleshooting ..35-36 Assembly ...... 5-8 Operation ....9-21 Adjustments ....27-32 SAFETY RULES IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing ob- jects.
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• Remove obstacles (rocks, tree limbs, etc.) away from your vehicle before fi lling. • Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Tall • Remove gas-powered equipment from the grass can hide obstacles. truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel such equip- DO NOT: ment with a portable container, rather than...
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TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FRONT FROM CARTON • Remove all loose parts from carton. • Remove lawn mower hous ing with care. Avoid touch ing blade under hous ing. LEFT RIGHT Always wear gloves or other protection HAND HAND when working under or lifting mower. SIDE SIDE THINGS TO KNOW BE FORE YOU...
ASSEMBLY “QUICK RELEASE” HANDLES CAUTION: Do not operate this lawn (ALL OTHER MODELS) mower without the discharge guard or an • Raise lower handle section to mowing entire approved grass catcher in place. position and align holes in lower handle These guards are for your protection and with holes in handle brackets.
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ASSEMBLY 3 POSITION “EZ” HANDLES INSTALL REAR WHEELS (“HIGH WHEEL” MOWERS ONLY) • Raise lower handle section to operating position and align hole in handle with Some high wheel models require wash ers one of three height positioning holes. which will be pro vid ed in a parts bag. If •...
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ASSEMBLY “FABRIC TOP” GRASS CATCHERS • For DOOR SLOT mounted catcher, place the grass catcher frame hooks into ASSEMBLE/ATTACH GRASS CATCH ER the slots of the rear door. • Put grass catcher frame into grass bag NOTE: The grass catcher is secured to the with rigid part of bag on the bottom.
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ASSEMBLY TO PRE PARE BATTERY HANDLE-MOUNTED KEY SWITCH (ELECTRIC START MODELS ONLY) Engine Harness NOTE: Your battery must be charged connector connector (male) (female) before you can start your lawn mower. • Open battery box (if equipped). • Disconnect engine connector (male) (if equipped) from battery con nec tor (female).
OPERATION The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields while operating your lawn mower or performing any ad just- ments or repairs.
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OPERATION "QUICK-PIN" ADJUSTMENT “DUAL POINT” ADJUSTMENT • To change cutting height, pull up on Both front wheels are adjusted by a single adjuster lever, move wheel up or down lever on the left front wheel. Likewise, to suit your re quire ments and release both rear wheels are adjusted by a single adjuster lever.
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OPERATION “THREE POINT” ADJUSTMENT TO CONVERT MOWER: (18" (45cm) HI-VAC MODELS ONLY) Most mowers are shipped ready to be Both rear wheels are adjusted by a single used as a mulcher. lever on the left rear wheel. “REAR DISCHARGE ONLY” MOWERS •...
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OPERATION “SIDE DISCHARGE ONLY” MOWERS MULCHER PLUG TYPE “B” To convert to bagging or dis charg ing: MULCHER PLATE • Lift discharge guard and remove To convert to bagging or discharging, mulcher plug. mulcher plate must be removed from un- •...
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OPERATION “MULTI-CUT” MOWERS Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be SIDE DISCHARGING used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging • Mulcher plate or plug (if equipped) must or discharging: be installed into rear discharge open ing of mower. Rear door must be closed. REAR BAGGING •...
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OPERATION SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER 18" (45cm) HI-VAC MODELS: WHEN CONVERTING YOUR Your lawn mower was shipped ready to “MULTI-CUT” LAWN MOWER: be used as a mulcher. To convert to rear bagging or side discharging: FOR MULCHING - • Rear mulcher plate or plug (if equipped) REAR BAGGING installed and rear door closed.
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OPERATION 3. Secure rear of side discharge defl ector 21" (53cm) HI-VAC MODELS: to lawn mower housing with knob. Your lawn mower was shipped ready to • Mower is now ready for side discharging be used as a mulcher. To convert to rear operation.
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OPERATION 3. Secure rear of discharge chute to lawn SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER mower housing with knob. WHEN CONVERTING YOUR 21" HI-VAC: 4. Place rear handle of grass catcher on FOR MULCHING - the crossbar of the lawn mower's lower 1.
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OPERATION OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL DRIVE CONTROL “STANDARD” DRIVE CONTROL BAR (ALL MODELS) • Self-propelling is controlled by holding Your lawn mower is equipped with an op- the operator presence control bar down er a tor presence control bar which re quires to the handle and pushing the drive the operator to be po si tioned behind the control lever forward until it clicks;...
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OPERATION “DUAL BAIL” DRIVE CONTROL “AUTOWALK” DRIVE CONTROL • To start forward motion, lift drive control • Self-propelling is controlled by hold ing bar up to handle. the operator presence control bar down • To stop forward motion, release drive to the handle and pulling the drive con- control bar.
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OPERATION “VARI-SPEED” DRIVE CONTROL Over time, the drive control system may • Self-propelling is controlled by hold- become “loose”, resulting in decreased ing the operator presence control bar speed. There is a turnbuckle on the down to the handle and pulling the drive un der side of the drive control housing to control bar up to the handle.
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OPERATION BEFORE STARTING EN GINE TO START ENGINE CAUTION: The mow er blade rotates Read the engine manual packed with your whenever the engine is running. mower. NOTE: Due to protective coatings on the FILL ENGINE WITH OIL engine, a small amount of smoke may be Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in present during the initial use of the product the engine.
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OPERATION MOWING TIPS FOR MULCHING MOWERS ONLY - MULCHING MOWING TIPS CAUTION: Do not use de-thatcher blade attachments on your mower. Such IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep attachments are hazardous, will damage mower housing free of built-up grass and trash. See "CLEANING" in the Mainte- your mower and could void your warranty.
MAINTENANCE BEFORE AFTER EVERY EVERY EVERY BEFORE EACH EACH 25 HOURS STORAGE HOURS OR SEASON HOURS Check for Loose Fasteners Clean / Inspect Grass Catcher * Check Tires Check Drive Wheels *** Clean Lawn Mower **** Clean under Drive Cover *** Check Drive Belt / Pulleys *** Check / Sharpen / Replace Blade Lubrication...
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MAINTENANCE LAWN MOWER Crank- shaft Always observe safety rules when per- keyway forming any main te nance. TIRES Belt • Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect retainer control chemi cals which can harm rub- ber. Trailing edge • Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and other hazards that may Blade adapter cause tire damage.
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MAINTENANCE BLADES WITH ROUND HOLE: 18" (45cm) HI-VAC MODELS ONLY: • To check blade balance, drive a nail into 1. Remove hubcaps (if equipped) and a beam or wall. Leave about one inch of locknuts. the straight nail ex posed. Place center 2.
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MAINTENANCE GEAR CASE IN-LINE FUEL FILTER (KOHLER or B&S PRO / ENDURANCE ENGINES ONLY) • To keep your drive system working properly, the gear case and area around The fuel fi lter should be replaced once the drive should be kept clean and free each season.
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MAINTENANCE CLEAN UNDER DRIVE COVER Clean under the drive cover at least twice Hose a season. Scrape underside of cover with a putty knife or similar tool to remove any buildup of trash or grass. WATER WASHOUT FEATURE (IF EQUIPPED) Your lawn mower may be equipped with a fi...
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS CAUTION: Before performing any ser- Mowing Mowing vice or adjustments: position position • Release operator presence control bar. • Make sure the blade and all moving parts have com plete ly stopped. • Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it can not Hairpin Handle...
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS 3 POSITION “QUICK” HANDLES TO REMOVE / REPLACE DRIVE BELT The handle on your lawn mower has three FRONT WHEEL DRIVE MODELS: (3) height positions - adjust to height that “STANDARD” OR “DUAL BAIL” MODELS: suits you. •...
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS MODELS WITH GEARCASE-MOUNTED • Remove drive cable from anchor, then detach it and return spring (if equipped) BELT KEEPER: from idler arm assembly. • Remove drive cover and belt keeper. • Remove idler arm assembly from hous- •...
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS MODELS WITH GEARCASE-MOUNTED • Route the other end of the new drive belt through hole in housing. BELT KEEPER: • Return mower to upright po si tion. • Remove drive cover. • Install new belt on gearcase pulley. •...
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS 21" (53cm) HI-VAC MODELS: 6. Remove screw securing debris shield. Note that the debris shield has a tab Belt retainer which fi ts into a gap in the housing. Belt Crankshaft keepers Housing hole Blade adapter Drive belt Hardened washer...
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS 22PLUS REAR WHEEL DRIVE MODELS: 2. Reinstall gearcase belt keeper. Be sure the new drive belt is inside the 1. Remove screws securing rear baffl e. tabs of the gearcase belt keeper. 2. Turn lawn mower on its side with air 3.
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STORAGE • Lubricate as shown in the Main te nance 3 POSITION “EZ” section of this manual. Bolt • Be sure that all nuts, bolts, screws, and pins are securely fas tened. Inspect Knob moving parts for damage, breakage and wear.
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STORAGE ON ALL OTHER MODELS: NOTE: Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable al- 1. Loosen the two “quick-adjust” handle ternative in min i miz ing the formation of fuel knobs on sides of the upper handle and gum deposits during stor age. Add stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank or storage container.
TROUBLESHOOTING See appropriate section in manual unless directed to an authorized Service Center. PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Does not start 1. Dirty air fi lter. 1. Clean/replace air fi lter. 2. Out of fuel. 2. Fill fuel tank. 3. Stale fuel. 3.
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¨ TROUBLESHOOTING (continued) See appropriate section in manual unless directed to an authorized Service Center. PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Grass catcher 1. Cutting height too low. 1. Raise cutting height. not fi lling 2. Lift on blade worn off. 2. Replace blade. (If so equipped) 3.