TROUBLESHOOTING (continued) See appropriate section in manual unless directed to an authorized Service Center. PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Grass catcher not filling (If so equipped) 1. Cutting height too low. 2. Lift on blade worn off. 3. Catcher not venting air. 1. Raise cutting height. 2. Replace blade. 3. Clean grass catcher. Hard to push 1. Grass is too high or wheel height is too low. 2. Rear of lawn mower housing or cutting blade dragging in grass. 3. Grass catcher too full. 4.
TROUBLESHOOTING TABLE OF CONTENTS Safety Rules ..................2-4 Assembly.......................5-9 Operation ..................10-21 Maintenance..............22-26 Service and Adjustments ..............27-33 Storage ......................33-35 Troubleshooting ........35-36 SAFETY RULES IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
STORAGE Operator presence control bar FOLD FORWARD FOR STORAGE CYLINDER • Remove spark plug. • 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. MOWING POSITION Upper handle BATTERY (IF EQUIPPED) Disconnect the battery from the engine connector and charge battery 48 hours.
STORAGE SAFETY RULES 3 POSITION “QUICK” V. GENERAL SERVICE • Stop and inspect the equipment if you strike an object. Repair, if necessary, before restarting. • Never attempt to make wheel height adjustments while the engine is running. • Grass catcher components are subject to wear, damage, and deterioration, which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. Frequently check components and replace with manufacturer’s recommended parts, when necessary. • Mower blades are sharp and can cut.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS 4. Remove blade bolt, lockwasher, hardened washer and blade. 5. Remove debris shield. 6. Remove gearcase belt keeper. 7. Remove drive belt. TO REPLACE DRIVE BELT 1. Place new drive belt on gearcase pulley. NOTE: Always use factory approved belt to assure proper fit and long life. 2. Reinstall gearcase belt keeper. Be sure the new drive belt is inside the tabs of the gearcase belt keeper. 3. Position the blade adapter on the engine crankshaft.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ASSEMBLY “QUICK RELEASE” HANDLES (ALL OTHER MODELS) • Raise lower handle section to mowing position and align holes in lower handle with holes in handle brackets. • Insert handle bolts through lower handles and handle brackets; secure with lower (“standard”) knobs. • Remove protective padding, raise upper handle section into place on lower handle and tighten both upper (“quickadjust”) knobs.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS • Position the blade adapter on the engine crankshaft. Be sure key in adapter and crankshaft keyway are aligned; and that the drive belt is inside the tabs of the belt retainer. Blade adapter Key ASSEMBLY 21" (53cm) HI-VAC MODELS: Housing hole Drive cable anchor Crankshaft keyway Lockwasher Drive Drive Return pulley belt spring Blade Blade bolt Hardened washer Trailing edge Belt retainer • Route the other end of the new drive belt through hole in housing.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ASSEMBLY “FABRIC TOP” GRASS CATCHERS ASSEMBLE/ATTACH GRASS CATCHER • Put grass catcher frame into grass bag with rigid part of bag on the bottom. • Slip vinyl bindings over frame. NOTE: If vinyl bindings are too stiff, hold them in warm water for a few minutes. If bag gets wet, let it dry 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 bracket.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ASSEMBLY TO REMOVE / REPLACE DRIVE BELT • Remove blade and debris shield. FRONT WHEEL DRIVE MODELS: “STANDARD” OR “DUAL BAIL” MODELS: • Remove drive cover. Remove belt from gearcase pulley by pushing down on pulley and rolling belt off it. • Turn lawn mower on its side. See engine manual for proper direction of turning over the engine. NOTE: Before tipping lawn mower to remove drive belt, empty fuel tank by running engine until fuel tank is empty. • Remove blade.
OPERATION SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS Use ear The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects protecthrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. tors to Always wear safety glasses or eye shields while operating your avoid lawn mower or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend standard safety glasses or a wide vision safety mask over spectacles. damage to hearing. CAUTION: Before performing any service or adjustments: • Release operator presence control bar.
OPERATION MAINTENANCE CLEAN UNDER DRIVE COVER Clean under the drive cover at least twice 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 fitting that allows quick and easy cleaning of the underside of the housing. To use this feature, proceed as follows: 1. Move lawn mower to an area of cut grass or another hard surface.
OPERATION “THREE POINT” ADJUSTMENT (18" (45cm) HI-VAC MODELS ONLY) Both rear wheels are adjusted by a single lever on the left rear wheel. • Pull adjuster lever toward wheel. To raise mower, move lever forward to desired position. To lower mower, move the lever toward the rear. NOTE: There are seven (7) height adjustment positions for the rear wheels. Both front wheels are adjusted as follows: 1. Remove wheel, bolt, and hardware and reassemble in desired adjustment hole. 2.
OPERATION MAINTENANCE BLADES WITH ROUND HOLE: • To check blade balance, drive a nail into a beam or wall. Leave about one inch of the straight nail exposed. Place center hole of blade over the head of the nail. If blade is balanced, it should remain in a horizontal position. If either end of the blade moves downward, sharpen the heavy end until the blade is balanced. BLADES WITH “STAR” HOLE: • To check blade balance, you will need a 5/8" diameter steel bolt, pin, or a cone balancer.
OPERATION “MULTI-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 or plug (if equipped). Store mulcher plate or plug in a safe place. • You can now install grass catcher. • To convert to mulching or discharging operation, install mulcher plate or plug (if equipped) into rear discharge opening of mower, making sure all tabs are seated properly. Close rear door.
OPERATION MAINTENANCE BEFORE EACH USE AFTER EACH USE EVERY 10 HOURS EVERY 25 HOURS OR SEASON EVERY 100 HOURS BEFORE STORAGE FOR SIDE DISCHARGING • Rear mulcher plate or plug (if equipped) installed and rear door closed. • Discharge deflector installed. 1 - Change more often if operating under a heavy load or in high outdoor temperatures. 2 - Service more often if operating in dirty or dusty conditions. 3 - Replace blades more often when mowing in sandy soil. 4 - Charge 48 hours at end of season.
OPERATION OPERATION 3. Secure rear of side discharge deflector to lawn mower housing with knob. • Mower is now ready for side discharging operation. 21" (53cm) HI-VAC MODELS: Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a mulcher. To convert to rear bagging or side discharging: SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER WHEN CONVERTING YOUR 18" HI-VAC: REAR BAGGING 1. Remove knob securing mulcher door to lawn mower housing. FOR MULCHING 1. Grass catcher, discharge chute and side discharge deflector removed. 2.
OPERATION BEFORE STARTING ENGINE Read the engine manual packed with your mower. FILL ENGINE WITH OIL Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in the engine. • Be sure mower is level and area around oil fill is clean. • Remove engine oil filler plug (oil fill cap/ dipstick on models so equipped). • Slowly add oil. For type and grade of oil to use, see “ENGINE” in the Maintenance section of this manual. • Fill to the top of slot in filler hole (to “FULL” line on dipstick on models so equipped).
OPERATION OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL BAR (ALL MODELS) Your lawn mower is equipped with an operator presence control bar which requires the operator to be positioned behind the lawn mower handle in order to start and operate the lawn mower. CAUTION: Federal regulations require an engine control to be installed on this lawn mower in order to minimize the risk of blade contact injury. Do not under any circumstances attempt to defeat the function of the operator control.
