American Lawn Mower Co. 815-18S - Lawn Mower Manual

Table of Contents

Contents

1 SAFETY RULES
2 How to Assemble
3 How to Order Parts
- 3.1 Parts, Customer Service or Warranty Claims
4 Kits List
5 Usage and Care
6 Documents / Resources
- 6.1 References
- 6.2 Download manual

SAFETY RULES

Read all instructions in this manual before using mower.
Inspect your lawn for any debris or foreign objects and remove them before mowing.
Never place your hands, fingers, or feet inside the reel. Although not powered by a motor, when the wheels turn, the reel cuts.
Never mow when the grass is wet enough to be slippery.
Don't place your hands or feet near a moving part of the mower.
Don't operate the mower while barefoot or wearing sandals.
Walk slowly, never run. Always be sure of your footing when operating the mower.
Never intentionally strike or ram trees, fences, etc. This can cause injuries or severely damage the mower.
Remember that this mower is a precision piece of lawncare equipment. Treat it as such by exercising caution when using it.
Make sure your mower is in safe operating condition. Don't attempt to operate the mower if it is damaged; have it repaired first.

How to Assemble

PACKING LIST

Reel Mower
4 Piece Handles with Foam Grip (See Figure 1)
Instruction Manual
Handle Assembly Hardware Package

HANDLE ASSEMBLY HARDWARE PACKAGE

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL THESE PARTS BEFORE YOU START

Handle

Enclosed in carton are the: mower handle parts (1 top handle piece with foam grip, 2 center handle pieces and 1 lower handle piece) and hardware package.

As you follow the instruction below, refer to Figure 1 for more information.
How to Assemble - Handle
Figure 1

Insert the two (2) center handle pieces into the left and right side of the top handle piece. The center handles are interchangeable. The dimpling around the hole does not indicate on which side the tube is to be placed. Secure the center handles to the top handle using the two (2) M6X35 bolts and wingnuts provided. It is recommended that the bolts are inserted from the front to the rear with the wingnuts to the rear of the handle.

As viewed from rear of mower
How to Assemble - As viewed from rear of mower

Fasten the upper handle subassembly that you assembled in the preceding step to the lower handle subassembly using the four (4) remaining M6X35 bolts and wing nuts provided.

Be sure to tighten all wing nuts on the joints of the handle assembly so that none of the handle pieces are loose.

Attaching the handle to the mower

As you follow the instruction below, refer to figure 2 for more information.

After assembling the handle, fit the holes at the end of the lower portion of the handle on the left and right side, over the short posts extending out from the side plates.
When the handle is in place over the posts, snap the "E" rings onto the slotted posts on both sides to prevent the handle from coming off.

Attaching the handle to the mower
Figure 2 — Correct

Figure 3 — Incorrect

How to Order Parts

Specify the following information when ordering parts:

Complete model number (found on the identification decal on the rear of the cutter bar).
Cutting width of your unit.
Number of the kit needed (see kits list).

Parts, Customer Service or Warranty Claims

To order replacement part kits or accessories, call our customer support hotline at
1-800-618-7474,
or go to
scotts.americanlawnmower.com

For questions, help, and warranties please contact customer support.
ALL PARTS ARE SOLD FACTORY DIRECT.
ALL SHIPPING CHARGES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PURCHASER.

Kits List

Usage and Care

General Care

Minimum care is tequired to assure smooth operation of your mower.

To avoid damage tothe mower or cutting blades, keep the area t obe mowed free from any debris.
To prevent unnecessary wear on blades, pull mower rather than push when moving mower on concrete or paved surfaces.
For best performance, apply a light coating of oil of WD-40 to the blades atter every use.

For questions, help, and warranties, please contact customer support.

Minor cutting height adjustments

These units can be adjusted to offer a cutting height range ftom 1/2" to 2 3/4" (1.27 cm to 6.98 cm) simply by adjusting the roller assembly. Keep in mind that the same adjustment must be performed on both sides of the mower.

A you follow the instructions below, refer to figure 4 for more information.
Minor cutting height adjustments
Figure 4

To achieve the lowest cutting position, loosen and remove the nuts on bot sides of the roller assembly
Position the bolt through the bottom hole of the pastic roller bracket and the top hole of the mower side plate. Retighten nuts on both sides.
To achieve the highest cutting position, loosen and remove the nuts on both sides of the roller assembly.
Position the bolt though the top hole of the plastic roller bracket and the bottom hole of the mower side plate. Reighten nuts on both sides.

Other cutting heights can be obtained by positioning the bolts through other hole locations.

Precise cutting height adjustments

The wheel/dust cover assembly can be moved to cone of 3 postions on the side plate. Keep in mind that the same adjustment must be performed on both sides of the mower.

As you follow the instructions below, refer to figure 5.
Precise cutting height adjustments
Figure 5

Position:
A = Lowest Setting
B = Middle Setting
C = Highest Setting

Remove the axle nut on the inside of the mower by holding the axle pin in place with ether a 1/2" (1.27 cm) socket or flatblade screwdriver (depending on model type), (on models with hub cap, remove hub cap first) and either a socket or box-end wrench on the nut.
Pull the wheel, dust cover and axle pin out gently as a unit until the axle pin clears the side plate. Then, repositionin the desired hole, and replace and tighten nuts.
Position A = 1/2" (1.27 cm) cutting height,
position B= 2" (5.08cm),
position C = 2 3/4" (6.98 cm).

Mower blade adjustment

The blades have been preadjusted before leaving the factory.

Do not adjust unless absolutely needed.
Misalignment can occur resulting in blades that are too loose or too tight. If this happens, you will notice a rough, uneven cut or a hard-pushing mower.
All adjustments are made from the rear of the mower (opposite from the bar with the logo decal).
Each end of the cutting bar can be adjusted separately.

As you follow the instructions below, refer to figure 6 for more information.
Mower blade adjustment
Figure 6

The cutting bar blade (located under the reel) pivots. The front screws move the cutter bar away from the blades, while the rear screws move the cutter bar toward the blades.
Adjusting the screws is a very sensitive procedure. 1/16th of a turn is considered a major adjustment.
Before tightening one adjusting screw, be sure to loosen the opposing screw an equal amount.

Loosening the blades

The cutting bar blade must be moved further from the cutting reel.

Loosen both back screws equally by turning them counterclockwise.
Tighten both front screws equally by turning them clockwise.

Tightening the blades

The cutting bar blade must be moved closer to the cutting reel.

Loosen both front screws equally by turning them counterclockwise.
Tighten both back screws equally by turning them clockwise.

Checking adjustments

Turn mower upside down.
Insert piece of paper (i.e., writing or newspaper) between the cutter bar and the reel blades, and carefully turn the reel blades by hand.

All blades should slice the paper evenly the entire length of the cutter bar while the reel turns smoothly.
If the mower has an intermittent cut, adjustment should be made to appropriate side of the blades to attain proper cutting action.

Sharpening the cutting blades

When the mower is properly lubricated and adjusted, sharpening should not be necessary for several years. However, the following steps will allow youto do the procedure yourself at relatively little expense.

Remove the "E" rings, wheels and pinion from both sides of the mower (referto figure 7).

Figure 7
Remove both pawls from the rectangular slots in reel shaft and reverse their positions (refer to figure 8).

Figure 8
Reverse the placement of the pinion gears.
Place the left pinion on the right end of the reel shaft and the right pinion on the left end of the reel shaft. Replace the wheels and "E" rings.
Spread a thin layer of lapping compound on the front edge of the reel blades.
Adjust the cutter bar so that the cutter bar blade has light but firm contact with the reel blades across the full width of the cutter bar (refer to figure 9).

Figure 9

Do not overtighten the adjusting screws, as this could damage the cutterbar. Both screws must be tight on the final adjustment.
Push the mower backward on a smooth surface (suchas a sidewalk or paved driveway).
Continue to do this until the reel blades rotate relatively free and front edge of the cutter bar blade is polished.
Remove wheels; reverse pinions and pawls so that the beveled edge of the pawl is on the right.

Clean any grinding compound or debris from the cutter bar blade, reel blades, pinions and pawls. Lubricate axle and pinion with a light film of wheelbearing grease and replace wheels and "E" rings.

warning NOTE: It is recommended to use and industrial or valve lapping compound between 100-240 grit. This is usually available at an industrial or automotive supply store. If professional sharpening is required, consult your local yellow pages for lawn mower repair services.