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Safety

This lawn mower meets or exceeds the CPSC blade
safety requirements for walk-behind rotary lawn mowers
and the B71.1 specifications of the American National
Standards Institute in effect at the time of production.

Read and understand the contents of this manual
before you start the engine.

The safety alert symbol (Figure 2) is used to alert you
to potential personal injury hazards. Obey all safety
messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury
or death. Improperly using or maintaining this mower
could result in injury or death. To reduce this potential,
comply with the following safety instructions.

The following instructions have been adapted from the
ANSI/OPEI standard B71.1-2003.

This cutting machine can amputate hands and feet
and throw objects. Failure to observe the following
safety instructions could result in serious injury or
death.

General Operation

Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the
machine and in the manual(s) before starting.

Do not put hands or feet near or under the machine.
Keep clear of the discharge opening at all times.

Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar with
the instructions, to operate this machine.

Clear the area of objects such as rocks, wire, toys,
etc., which could be thrown by the blade. Stay
behind the handle when the engine is running.

Be sure the area is clear of bystanders before
operating. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

Do not operate machine barefooted or while wearing
sandals. Always wear substantial footwear.

Do not pull machine backward unless absolutely
necessary. Always look down and behind before and
while moving backward.

Never direct discharged material toward anyone.
Avoid discharging material against a wall or
obstruction. Material may ricochet back toward
the operator. Stop the blade when crossing gravel
surfaces.

Do not operate machine without the entire grass
catcher, discharge guard, rear guard, or other safety
protective devices in place and working.

Never leave a running machine unattended.

Stop the engine and wait until the blade comes
to a complete stop before cleaning the machine,

removing grass catcher, or unclogging the discharge
guard.

Operate machine only in daylight or good artificial
light.

Do not operate machine while under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.

Never operate mower in wet grass. Always be sure
of your footing; walk; never run.

Disengage the drive system, if so equipped, before
starting the engine.

If the machine should start to vibrate abnormally,
stop the engine and check for the cause immediately.
Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.

Always wear eye protection when operating machine.

See manufacturer’s instructions for proper operation
and installation of accessories. Only use accessories
approved by the manufacturer.

Slope Operation

Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents,
which can result in severe injury. Operation on all slopes
require extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do
not mow it.

Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down.
Exercise extreme caution when changing direction
on slopes.

Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden
objects. Uneven terrain could cause a slip and fall
accident. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

Do not mow on wet grass or excessively steep slopes.
Poor footing could cause a slip and fall accident.

Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or
embankments. You could lose your footing or
balance.

Children

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to
the presence of children. Children are often attracted to
the machine and the mowing activity.

Never

assume

that children will remain where you last saw them.

Keep children out of the mowing area and under
the watchful care of a responsible adult other than
the operator.

Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the area.

Never allow children to operate the machine.

Use extra care when approaching blind corners,
shrubs, trees, or other objects that may block your
view of a child.

2

Summary of Contents for 20093

Page 1: ...information Important calls attention to special mechanical information and Note emphasizes general information worthy of special attention Warning CALIFORNIA Proposition 65 Warning The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer birth defects or other reproductive harm Important This engine is not equipped with a spark arrester muffler It i...

Page 2: ...ischarge guard rear guard or other safety protective devices in place and working Never leave a running machine unattended Stop the engine and wait until the blade comes to a complete stop before cleaning the machine removing grass catcher or unclogging the discharge guard Operate machine only in daylight or good artificial light Do not operate machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs...

Page 3: ...e a nozzle lock open device If fuel is spilled on clothing change clothing immediately Never overfill fuel tank Replace gas cap and tighten securely Exhaust contains carbon monoxide an odorless deadly poison that can kill you Do not run the engine indoors or in an enclosed area General Service Never operate machine in a closed area Keep all nuts and bolts tight to be sure the equipment is in safe ...

Page 4: ...al 4 Cutting dismemberment hazard of hand or foot mower blade stay away from moving parts 2 Thrown object hazard keep bystanders a safe distance from the machine 5 Cutting dismemberment hazard of hand or foot mower blade do not operate up and down slopes operate side to side on slopes stop the engine before leaving the operating position and look behind you when backing up 3 Cutting dismemberment ...

Page 5: ...tside of the handle If a cable is damaged contact an Authorized Service Dealer 1 Raise the rear of the mower housing to its highest cutting height setting by moving the 2 rear cutting height levers all the way forward Refer to Adjusting the Cutting Height in the Operation section 2 Attach the handle ends to the mower housing with 2 washers and 2 handle bolts Figure 4 but do not tighten the handle ...

Page 6: ...our oil into the oil fill tube until the oil level reaches the Full line on the dipstick Figure 7 Do not overfill Max fill 20 oz 0 59 l type SAE 30W detergent oil with an API service classification of SF SG SH SJ SL or higher 3 Install the dipstick securely Important Change the engine oil after the first 5 operating hours change it yearly thereafter Refer to Changing the Engine Oil Product Overvie...

Page 7: ...he Engine Oil Level Service Interval Before each use or daily 1 Remove the dipstick wipe it clean and fully install the dipstick Figure 11 Figure 11 2 Remove the dipstick and check the oil level Figure 11 If the oil level is below the Add mark on the dipstick slowly pour oil into the oil fill tube to raise the oil level to the Full mark on the dipstick Do not overfill Max fill 20 oz 0 59 l type SA...

Page 8: ... one of three positions and lock the handle into position Figure 13 Figure 13 1 Handle lock 2 Handle positions Starting the Engine 1 Push the ignition toggle switch to the On I position Figure 14 Figure 14 1 Ignition toggle switch 2 Start the engine in one of 2 ways Pull the recoil starter in the operating position Figure 15 Figure 15 Pull the recoil starter at the engine Figure 16 Figure 16 Note ...

Page 9: ...le switch to the Stop position Figure 18 Figure 18 1 Ignition toggle switch 2 When the engine stops remove the ignition key when you leave the mower Engaging the Blade When you start your engine the blade does not turn You must engage the blade to mow 1 Pull the control bar lock back Figure 19 Figure 19 2 Pull the blade control bar to the handle Figure 20 Figure 20 1 Blade control bar 3 Hold the b...

Page 10: ...the 3 1 4 inch 8 cm 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 7 6 cm in diameter 4 Place the newspaper ball about 5 inches 13 cm in front of the mower 5 Start the engine 6 Engage the blade 7 Release the blade control bar 8 Immediately push the mower over the newspaper ball 9 Stop the engine and wait for all ...

Page 11: ...efore bagging the clippings The blade is sharp contacting the blade can result in serious personal injury Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop before leaving the operating position Installing the Grass Bag 1 Route the starter rope around the lower rope guide Figure 25 Figure 25 1 Lower rope guide Note The lower rope guide releases the starter rope when you pull the recoil start ha...

Page 12: ...p the discharge deflector and look for 2 tabs in front of the plug Figure 30 If you do not see them firmly push the plug in until it snaps into place Figure 30 1 Tabs 5 Lower the discharge deflector Side discharging the Clippings Use the side discharge for cutting very tall grass If the bag is on the mower remove it and insert the rear discharge plug refer to Removing the Grass Bag before side dis...

Page 13: ...Operating Tips General Mowing Tips Clear the area of sticks stones wire branches and other debris that the blade could hit Avoid striking solid objects with the blade Never deliberately mow over any object If the mower strikes an object or starts to vibrate immediately stop the engine disconnect the wire from the spark plug and examine the mower for damage For best performance install a new blade ...

Page 14: ...ce the blade or have it sharpened Walk at a slower pace while mowing Raise the cutting height on your mower Cut the grass more frequently Overlap cutting swaths instead of cutting a full swath with each pass Set the cutting height on the front wheels one notch lower than the rear wheels For example set the front wheels at 2 1 4 inches 60 mm and the rear wheels at 2 3 4 inches 70 mm Cutting Leaves ...

Page 15: ... engine owner s manual Replace the blade or have it sharpened more frequently if the edge dulls quickly Refer to your Engine Operator s Manual for any additional yearly maintenance procedures Important Refer to your Engine Operator s Manual for additional maintenance procedures Preparing for Maintenance 1 Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop 2 Disconnect the spark plug wire from t...

Page 16: ...tter and carries more contaminants 1 Perform the pre maintenance procedures refer to Preparing for Maintenance 2 Remove the dipstick Figure 40 Figure 40 3 Tip the mower onto its side with the air filter up to drain the used oil out through the oil fill tube Figure 41 Figure 41 4 Slowly pour oil into the oil fill tube until the oil level reaches the Full line on the dipstick Figure 42 Do not overfi...

Page 17: ...erious personal injury Wear gloves when servicing the blade 1 Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug Refer to Preparing for Maintenance 2 Tip the mower onto its side with the air filter up 3 Remove the 2 blade nuts and the stiffener Figure 44 Figure 44 1 Blade nuts 2 Stiffener 4 Remove the blade Figure 44 5 Install the new blade Figure 44 6 Install the stiffener you previously removed ...

Page 18: ...ection Stay in the operating position behind the handle when the engine is running Do not allow bystanders in the area For best results clean the mower soon after you have completed mowing 1 Lower the mower to its lowest cutting height setting Refer to Adjusting the Cutting Height 2 Move the mower onto a flat paved surface 3 Attach a garden hose that is connected to a water supply to the washout p...

Page 19: ...o distribute oil throughout the cylinder to prevent cylinder corrosion during the off season 6 Loosely install the spark plug 7 Tighten all nuts bolts and screws Folding the Handle If while folding the handle for storing or transporting the mower you accidently bump the key and engage the blade control bar the engine could start and rotate the blade causing serious personal injury Always remove th...

Page 20: ...Notes 20 ...

Page 21: ...Notes 21 ...

Page 22: ...nd carburetor adjustments Oil change and lubrication Repairs or adjustments due to the following failure to follow proper maintenance procedures rotary mower blade striking an object contaminants in the fuel system improper fuel or fuel mixture consult your operator s manual if in doubt failure to drain the fuel system prior to any period of non use over three months operation misuse neglect or ac...

Page 23: ...Date Storage Preparation Check Spark Plug Lubricate Wheels mowers only Change Oil does not apply to two cycle Air Cleaner Service mowers only Hours Used Part No 374 0018 Rev E ...

Page 24: ...stem coverage on some products and the Toro Starting Guarantee on GTS Engine This express warranty does not cover Cost of regular maintenance service or parts such as filters fuel lubricants oil changes spark plugs blade sharpening worn blade cable linkage adjustments or brake and clutch adjustments Any product or part which has been altered or misused or required replacement or repair due to acci...

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