Gardena 46 V 4044; 46 VD 4046 - Petrol Lawnmower Manual

Introduction

Please read these operating instructions carefully and observe the notes given. Use these operating instructions to familiarise yourself with the correct usage and safety instructions for the Petrol Lawnmower.
Please keep these operating instructions in a safe place.
For safety reason children and young people under 16 and people who have not read these operating instructions must not use this Petrol Lawnmower. People with limited physical or mental capacities may only use the product if they are supervised or instructed by a responsible person.

Range of use for your GARDENA Petrol Lawnmower

Purpose

The GARDENA petrol lawnmower is designed for cutting lawns in and around the garden. Do not use the mower on a slope steeper than 10° maximum.

Please note

For environmental and transport safety reasons the petrol lawnmower is supplied without motor oil. Therefore, the crankcase of the engine must be filled with motor oil prior to use (see 7. Maintenance), otherwise the engine will be dam aged!

To prevent injury, the lawnmower must not be used for trimming bushes, hedges, shrubs, for cutting and pruning of climbers or grass on roofs or in balcony boxes.
In addition, the lawnmower must not be used for chopping up branches, twigs or for levelling i rregularities in the soil.

Safety Instructions

• Please read the notes on safety on the petrol lawnmower.

Please read the operating instructions before using the mower!

Risk of injury!

• Keep bystanders away!

Danger of injury from the blade bar!

• Keep fingers and feet away from sharp cutting tool!

Danger of asphyxiation from breathing in poisonous gases!

• The mower must not be used in closed or poorly ventilated areas.

RISK OF EXPLOSION!

Do not fill with fuel with the engine running!

DANGER OF COMBUSTION!

Engine is hot!

• Before working on the blade bar remove spark plug connector. See the enclosed engine operating instructions!

Check each time you use the mower:
Before using, always visually inspect to see that the blades, blade bolts and cutter assembly are not worn or damaged. Replace worn or damaged blades and bolts in sets to preserve balance.
Never operate the lawnmower with defective guards, or without safety devices, for example deflectors and/or grass catchers, in place. Replace damaged or worn parts. Never disable safety devices.

Keep all nuts, bolts and screws tight to be sure the equipment is in safe working condition. Check the grass to be cut before you start work. Remove any foreign bodies present (e. g. stones, branches).

The blade bar must be regularly checked for damage and if necessary repaired properly.
When doing this life the mower up at the front so that no petrol / oil gets into the air filter or exhaust.

Operation:
This petrol lawnmower can cause serious injuries! You are responsible for the safety of the working area.
Walk, never run.

Do not tilt the lawnmower when starting the engine or switching on the motor, except if the lawnmower has to be tilted for starting. In this case, do not tilt it more than absolutely necessary and lift only the part which is away from the operator. Do not tip the mower over to the side when mowing.

Do not start the engine when standing in front of the discharge chute.
Never lift or carry the mower with the engine running.
Only use the mower for the purposes outlined in the operating instructions. Wear sturdy shoes and long trousers to protect your legs. Keep fingers and feet away from the blade bar and the ejection chute! Make sure you always take up a safe and stable stance whilst working, especially on slopes.

Be particularly careful if you change direction on a slope.
For wheeled rotary machines, mow across the face of slopes, never up and down.
Be careful when going backwards. Risk of stumbling!
Look out for foreign bodies when working (e. g. stones).

Interruptions of work:
Do not leave the mower unattended in the workplace. Should you stop working store the mower in a safe place.

• Remove the spark plug connector!

Should you stop work to go to work somewhere else with the mower, be sure to switch the mower off while you are going there.

Environmental influences:
Only work when visibility is good.
Familiarise yourself with the surroundings of your work ing area. Check for possible risks which might be not audible due to the noise of the machine.
Make sure that there are no other people (especially children) or animals anywhere near the working area.

Stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire, make sure that all moving parts have come to a complete Stopp and, where a key is fitted remove the key: after striking a foreign object. Inspect the lawnmower for damage and make repairs before restarting and operating the lawnmower.

Never use the mower when it is raining or in damp or wet conditions.
Please observe any local restrictions or noise levels.

Petrol engine notes:

Fuel is highly inflammable. Fuel must be stored only in containers authorised for the purpose. The fuel must be filled only outdoors; do not smoke during filling. Fill with petrol prior to use; the petrol cap must not be removed and no petrol may be added if the engine is running or is hot. If petrol is spilled during filling, the engine must not be started until the spilled petrol has been wiped up and the mower has been removed from the area where the fuel was spilled. You must not attempt to start the engine until the petrol vapours have dissipated.

To avoid the danger of fire, keep the engine and exhaust free from grass, leaves, grease or oil and away from combustible materials.
There is danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Do not let the engine run in closed spaces.
When filling with petrol and oil, ensure that no foreign bodies (e. g. grass) get into the engine.
Always check the oil level before mowing.
For security reasons, replace the tank lid if damaged.
Never store a mower with fuel in the tank in a room where petrol fumes could come into contact with an open flame.
If the fuel tank has to be drained, this should be done outdoors.

Reduce the throttle setting during engine shut down and, if the engine is provided with a shut-off valve, turn the fuel off at the conclusion of mowing.
Do not change the engine governor settings or overspeed the engine.

• Follow the enclosed engine operating instructions.

Function

Mowing tips

If grass residue is left in the discharge opening, pull mower backwards about 1 m so that the grass residue can drop out downwards.

To produce a well-maintained lawn. we recommend cutting the lawn regularly once a week if possible. The lawn becomes thicker if cut frequently.

After relatively long intervals between mowing (holiday lawn), first of all cut in one direction with the cutting height as high as possible, then cut in the crosswise direction at the cutting height required.

If possible, only cut the grass when it is dry, if the grass is damp, the cutting pattern will be uneven.

Mulching tips

You will achieve the best mulching results by cutting the grass regularly once or twice a week depending on the amount the grass has grown.

For mulching the grass must be mown no more than 1/3 of its height. The cut height must be set at 4 cm at least (for very dense grass the cut height may have to be set higher).

So that the grass mulch can rot down properly, mulch when the grass is as dry as possible. Mulching is not recommended for lawns with a great deal of moss or very matted grass. The moss and weeds must be removed by scarifying.

When mowing with the mulch unit the cut grass is returned to the grass as a self fertiliser and there are no waste lawn clippings.

Assembly

Fitting the handle

1. Push the screw 1 with the square washer 2 through the hole in the handle 3 .
   
2. Put the handle lock 4 with spring 5 , handle 6 and round washer 7 on the screw 1 and tighten with the wing nut 8
   
   When doing this the eyes 9 must be on the same side as the starter cord 10 .
   
3. Thread the starter cord 10 through the two eyes 9 on the handle 6 .

Fitting the collection bag (44 V / 46 VD / 46 VDA)

1. Feed the bow-shaped handle 11 into the Collecting Bag so that the handle 12 is on the top.
2. Fold the safety straps 13 around the handle 11.

Fitting the collection bag (51 VDA)

1. Place the collection bag cover 14 onto the collecting bag 15 from the top so that ALL the eyes are positioned over the hook
2. Push the Collecting Bag cover 14 down onto the collecting bag 15 until all hooks engage securely.
3. Fold the safety straps 13 around the handle.

Operation

Danger of physical injury from the blade bar!

• Before making any adjustments wait for the blade bar to stop, put on suitable working gloves and remove the spark plug connector.

Adjust the handle inclination

The handle can be set to any body size by setting the angle of inclination.

1. Undo both wing nuts 8 until the handle 6 can be inclined.
   
2. Set the required handle inclination.
3. Tighten both wing nuts 8.
   

Setting the cut height

The cut height can be set centrally in six stages.
46 V / 46 VD: 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 mm
46 VDA / 51 VDA: 25 / 35 / 45 / 65 / 75 / 95 mm

1. Pull the handle 16 towards the wheel 17 until the lock is released.
2. Set the required cut height by rotating the handle 16 .
   The cut height set will be shown in mm on the cut height display 18 on the mower.
3. When the cut height has been selected engage the handle 16 in the appropriate locking position again.

Mowing with mulch unit

Foreign bodies thrown out of the mower can cause injuries!

• Only lift the protective flap 19 when the engine is turned off and the blade bar has stopped.

Inserting mulch unit:

1. Lift protective flap 19 and push the mulch unit 20 into the ejection chute until it stops.
2. Fit the retaining spring 21 to the top of the mulch unit 20 and the bottom of the housing.
   This stops the mulch unit 20 falling out.
   

Removing the mulch unit:

• Lift the protective flap 19, unhook the retaining spring 21 from the housing and remove the mulch unit 20.

Do not grasp the ejection chute with your hand.

If the protective flap 19 is released it will close automatically and cover the ejection chute.
The protective flap 19 is designed in such a way that mowing can take place even if the protective flap is closed without the mulch unit or Collecting Bag. The cuttings are then left on the lawn.

Mowing with the collection bag

Foreign bodies thrown out of the mower can cause injuries!

• Only lift the protective flap 19 when the engine is turned off and the blade bar has stopped.

The mulch unit must be removed before mowing with the collection bag (see Mowing with mulch unit).
The collecting bag must be emptied as soon as grass cuttings are left on the lawn while mowing.

1. Lift the protective flap 19 and remove the grass collection bag 22 from the handle.
   
2. Empty the grass collection bag 22, lift up the protective flap 19 and replace the grass collection bag 22 at the back of the housing.

Starting the mower

Danger of physical injury if the mower does not switch off automatically!

• The security devices fitted to the mower (safety swich, drive lever) must not be removed or bypassed.

ATTENTION!
Damage to the engine!

The engine must be filled with oil before starting. (See Maintenance for instructions on filling the engine with oil).
The drive handle / lever must not be removed from the handle when starting.

Starting the mower:

The engine must be filled with petrol (see Maintenance "Filling engine with petrol").

1. Place the mower on a level spot on the lawn.
2. Only with a cold engine:
   46 V / 46 VD: Press the primer 23 3 times.
   46 VDA / 51 VDA: Set the rotary lever 24 to "Choke".
3. Pull the switch up 25 to the handle 6 and then pull the start cord 26 through vigorously.
4. After starting the engine feed the starter cord 26 back slowly (if necessary repeat steps 3. and 4.).
5. 46 VDA / 51 VDA: Set the rotary lever 24 to the required e ngine speed.
6. Only push the mower forwards at walking pace.

Starting the mower with a warm engine:

• 46 V / 46 VD: Do not press the primer 23.
  46 VDA / 51 VDA: Set the rotary lever 24 to max. speed.

Switching the mower off:

• Release the switch 25.

Mowing with traction drive

46 VD has a single gear rear wheel drive. 46 VDA / 51 VDA has a variable rear wheel drive to adjust to your personal walking speed.

Starting the traction drive:

1. Start the mower.
2. 46 VD: Pull the drive handle 27 down to the handle 6.
   
   ATTENTION! The mower will start immediately.
   
   46 VDA / 51 VDA: Pull the drive lever 27 to the handle 6.
   The further the drive lever is pulled the faster the traction drive.
   

To switch the traction drive off:

• Release the drive switch / lever 27.

Putting out of Operation

Storing / transporting the mower

The storage location must not be accessible to children.

Let the engine cool down before you store the mower in a closed area. With engines that have are not to be used for more than 30 days first of all empty the petrol tank, soak up the remaining petrol with a lint free cloth and then let the engine run until it stops because it has run out of fuel.

1. Switch off the mower and remove the spark plug connector 28 (see enclosed engine operating instructions).
2. To save space undo both wing nuts 8 until the handle can be bent and fold the handle 6 forward.
3. Store mower in a dry, enclosed and secure place.

Disposal

The product must not be added to normal household waste.
It must be disposed of properly.

1. Empty the petrol tank (see above).
2. Empty the engine oil tank (see enclosed engine operating instructions).

Maintenance

Danger of physical injury from the blade bar.

• Before any maintenance work wait until the blade bar has stopped, wear suitable working gloves and remove the spark plug connector (see enclosed engine operating instructions).

Injury to persons and damage to property!

• Do not clean the mower, the mulch unit and the Collecting Bag under high pressure.

If the lawnmower needs to be tilted for cleaning then it may only be lifted in the front and at the handlebar. (If the lawnmower is tilted to the side then fuel or oil may enter the exhaust or air filter and damage the motor).

Filling the engine with engine oil

ATTENTION!
Damage to the engine!

• The engine must be filled with oil before starting.

See the enclose engine operating instructions.

1. Unscrew the oil cap 29.
2. Fill with approx. 0.6 l engine oil (SAE 30) (OIL).
   
3. Screw the oil cap 29 on again.

Filling the engine with petrol

See the enclose engine operating instructions.

1. Undo the petrol cap 30 .
2. Fill with petrol (at least 87 octane) (FUEL).
   
3. Do the petrol cap 30 up again.

For further engine maintenance instructions see the enclosed engine operating instructions.

Cleaning the mower housing

Deposits make the starting process difficult, impair the quality of the cut and the discharge of the grass. Dirt and grass residues are easiest to remove immediately after mowing.
The bottom should be cleaned on the grass to avoid getting the ground dirty.

1. Remove the mulch unit / collecting bag.
2. Fit the hose connection 31 to the mower and turn the tap on.
3. Start the mower and switch off again after about 30 seconds.
   The rotating blade bar throws the water onto the bottom of the mower and thus cleans it.
   
4. Turn off the tap and remove the hose connection 31.
5. Clean the top with a cloth (do not use any sharp objects).

Cleaning the collecting bag

The collecting bag must be checked regularly for damage.

• Remove grass deposits from inside and outside the collecting bag at every mowing (do not use sharp objects).

Cleaning the mulch unit

• Immediately after mulching remove dirt and grass remains from the mulch unit (do not use any sharp objects).

Trouble-Shooting

Danger of physical injury from the blade bar!

• Before remedying faults wait for the blade bar to stop, wear suitable working gloves and remove the spark plug connector (see enclosed engine operating instructions).

Adjust Bowden cable of the drive

If the Bowden cable of the drive has moved due to wear, it can be adjusted.

• Turn the adjusting nut 32 in the relevant direction (+/–).
  
  46 VD: The adjusting nut is located on the left-hand handle 6.

Adjust Bowden cable of the switch handle

46 VDA / 51 VDA:
If the Bowden cable of the switch handle 25 has moved due to wear, it can be adjusted.

1. Detach attachment hook 33.
2. Insert attachment hook 33 into hole 1 of the switch handle 25.
   

Replacing the blade bar

A damaged or bent blade bar or a blade bar with broken off edges must be replaced because of the imbalance this causes. For imbalance reasons the blade bar must not be reground.
Blade bars must only be replaced by GARDENA service department or by an authorised GARDENA dealer.

Only original GARDENA Blade Bars with original fixing must be used. Spare GARDENA parts can be obtained from your GARDENA dealer or the GARDENA service department.

• 46 V / 46 VD / 46 VDA: GARDENA Blade Bar Art. 531211017
• 51 VDA: GARDENA Blade Bar Art. 504113301

Troubleshooting

Fault	Possible cause	Remedy
Engine does not start.	Petrol tank empty.	Fill with petrol.
	Wrong engine setting.	See 5. Operation "Starting the mower with a warm engine".
	Spark plug connector not inserted / spark plug faulty.	Insert spark plug connector/ clean or replace spark plug (Champion RJ 19 LM Art. 4012-00.901.01).
	Cutting height too low for the lawn or mowing speed too high.	Raise cutting height or reduce mowing speed.
Motor does not start.	Bowden cable of the switch handle has moved due to wear.	Adjust Bowden cable of the switch handle.
After an initial warm-up phase, the motor starts only with difficulty or not at all.	Too much oil in the motor, spark plug is coked by e xcessive oil quantity.	Release excessive oil following the instructions for the motor and clean the spark plug.
Drive does not start.	Bowden cable of the drive has moved due to wear.	Adjust Bowden cable of the drive.
Engine runs for a short time but then suddenly stops with a loud bang.	No motor oil in crankcase. Piston and crankshaft bearings have jammed.	Have the engine serviced by GARDENA Service.
A lot of engine smoke after starting.	Oil in the exhaust because the mowr has been tipped sideways.	Let the engine run for about 3 min. until the oil has evaporated.
Loud noises, mower rattling.	Screws on motor, its fixing or on the mower casing loose.	Have screws tightened by an authorised specialist dealer or GARDENA Service.
Runs unevenly, mower vibrates strongly.	Blade Bar damage or blade fixing on the engine shaft has come loose.	Have the blade bar tightened again or replaced by an authorised dealer or GARDENA Service.
	Imbalance resulting from very dirty blade bar.	Clean mower (see Maintenance). If this does not rectify the fault, contact GARDENA Service.
Lawn is not cleanly cut.	Blade bar blunt.	Have the blade bar replaced.
	Cutting height too low for the lawn or mowing speed too high.	Raise cutting height or reduce mowing speed.

For any other malfunctions please contact the GARDENA service department. Repairs must only be carried out by GARDENA service departments or specialist dealers authorised by GARDENA.

Technical Data

	46 V (Art. 4044)	46 VD (Art. 4046)	46 VDA (Art. 4047)	51 VDA (Art. 4051)
Engine (cubic capacity)	Briggs & Stratton 450 (148 cm3)	Briggs & Stratton 550 (158 cm3)	Briggs & Stratton675 ready start (190 cm3)	Briggs & Stratton 675 ready start (190 cm3)
Wheel drive	–	1 gear rear wheel	variable rear wheel
Engine oil (tank volume)	SAE 30 (0,6 l)	SAE 30 (0,6 l)	SAE 30 (0,6 l)	SAE 30 (0,6 l)
Petrol	unleaded petrol (min. 87 octane)	unleaded petrol (min. 87 octane)	unleaded petrol (min. 87 octane)	unleaded petrol (min. 87 octane)
Cutting width	46 cm	46 cm	46 cm	51 cm
Cutting height	30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 mm	30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 mm	25 / 35 / 45 / 65 / 75 / 95 mm	25 / 35 / 45 / 65 / 75 / 95 mm
Height adjustment	central 6 x	central 6 x	central 6 x	central 6 x
Wheel sizes	190 / 210 mm	190 / 210 mm	190 / 280 mm	190 / 280 mm
Wheel bearing	ball bearing	ball bearing	ball bearing	ball bearing
Mulch function	incl. unit	incl. unit	incl. unit	incl. unit
Collection Bag volume	53 l	53 l	53 l	60 l
Weight	29,9 kg	32,1 kg	34,3 kg	37,5 kg
For lawn areas	up to approx. 500 m2	up to approx. 800 m2	up to approx. 800 m2	up to approx. 1000 m2
Water connection (cleaning)	Original GARDENA hose connection system
Working area related emission characteristic value LPA1)	84 dB (A)	84 dB (A)	84 dB (A)	84 dB (A)
Noise level LWA2) measured / guaranteed	measured 95 dB (A) guaranteed 96 dB (A)	measured 95 dB (A) guaranteed 96 dB (A)	measured 95 dB (A) guaranteed 96 dB (A)	measured 97 dB (A) guaranteed 98 dB (A)
Vibrations avhw1)	< 5,0 m/s2	< 5,0 m/s2	< 5,0 m/s2	< 5,0 m/s2

Measuring method ¹⁾ EN 836 ²⁾ 2000/14/EG

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