Toro 20996 Owner's manual

FormNo.3387-970RevA

53cmRecycler

LawnMower

ModelNo.20996—SerialNo.315000001andUp

Operator'sManual

Introduction

Thisrotary-blade,walk-behindlawnmowerisintended

tobeusedbyresidentialhomeowners.Itisdesigned

primarilyforcuttinggrassonwell-maintainedlawns

onresidentialproperties.Itisnotdesignedforcutting

brushorforagriculturaluses.

Readthisinformationcarefullytolearnhowtooperateand

maintainyourmachineproperlyandtoavoidinjuryand

equipmentdamage.Youareresponsibleforoperatingthe

machineproperlyandsafely.

YoumaycontactTorodirectlyatwww.Toro.comforproduct

andaccessoryinformation,helpndingadealer,ortoregister

yourproduct.

Wheneveryouneedservice,genuineToroparts,oradditional

information,contactanAuthorizedServiceDealerorToro

CustomerServiceandhavethemodelandserialnumbersof

yourmachineready.Figure1identiesthelocationofthe

modelandserialnumbersontheproduct.

Figure1

1.Modelandserialnumberlocation

Writetheproductmodelandserialnumbersinthefollowing

space:

ModelNo.

SerialNo.

Thismanualidentiespotentialhazardsandhassafety

messagesidentiedbythesafetyalertsymbol(Figure2),

whichsignalsahazardthatmaycauseseriousinjuryordeath

ifyoudonotfollowtherecommendedprecautions.

Figure2

1.Safetyalertsymbol

Thismanualuses2wordstohighlightinformation.

Importantcallsattentiontospecialmechanicalinformation

andNoteemphasizesgeneralinformationworthyofspecial

attention.

ThisproductcomplieswithallrelevantEuropeandirectives.

Fordetails,seetheseparateproduct-specicDeclarationof

Conformity(DOC)sheet.

NetTorque:Thegrossornettorqueofthisenginewas

laboratoryratedbytheenginemanufacturerinaccordance

withtheSocietyofAutomotiveEngineers(SAE)J1940.

Asconguredtomeetsafety,emission,andoperating

requirements,theactualenginetorqueonthisclassofmower

willbesignicantlylower.Gotowww .Toro.comtoview

specicationsonyourmowermodel.

Donottamperwiththeenginecontrolsoralterthegovernor

speed;doingsomaycreateanunsafeconditionresultingin

personalinjury.

Contents

Introduction..................................................................1

Safety...........................................................................2

GeneralLawnMowerSafety.....................................2

SoundPressure......................................................3

SoundPower..........................................................3

Hand/ArmVibration..............................................4

SafetyandInstructionalDecals.................................4

Setup............................................................................5

1UnfoldingtheHandle............................................5

2InstallingtheRecoil-StarterRopeintheRope

Guide.................................................................5

3FillingtheEnginewithOil......................................5

4InstalltheMulchPlugortheGrassBag....................6

5AssemblingtheGrassBag......................................7

ProductOverview..........................................................8

Specications.........................................................8

Operation.....................................................................9

FillingtheFuelTank................................................9

CheckingtheEngine-OilLevel..................................9

AdjustingtheCuttingHeight....................................10

AdjustingtheUpperHandleHeight..........................10

8111LyndaleAvenueSouth

Bloomington,MN55420

Registeratwww.T oro.com.

OriginalInstructions(EN)

PrintedintheUSA

AllRightsReserved

*3387-970*A

StartingtheEngine.................................................11

UsingtheSelf-PropelDrive.....................................12

StoppingtheEngine...............................................12

MulchingtheClippings...........................................12

BaggingtheClippings.............................................12

Side-DischargingtheClippings.................................14

OperatingTips......................................................14

Maintenance.................................................................15

RecommendedMaintenanceSchedule(s)......................15

PreparingforMaintenance.......................................16

ReplacingtheAirFilter............................................16

ChangingtheEngineOil.........................................16

LubricatingtheWheelGears....................................17

LubricatingtheUpperHandle..................................18

AdjustingtheSelf-PropelDriveCable.......................18

ReplacingtheBlade................................................19

CleaningundertheMachine.....................................20

Storage........................................................................20

PreparingtheMachineforStorage............................20

FoldingtheHandle.................................................20

RemovetheMachinefromStorage............................21

TestingtheMachineSafetySystem............................22

Safety

ThismachinehasbeendesignedinaccordancewithENISO

5395:2013.

Improperlyusingormaintainingthismowercanresult

ininjury.Toreducethepotentialforinjury,complywith

thesesafetyinstructions.

Toensuremaximumsafety,bestperformance,and

togainknowledgeoftheproduct,itisessentialthat

youandanyotheroperatorofthemowerreadand

understandthecontentsofthismanualbeforethe

engineiseverstarted.Payparticularattentiontothe

safetyalertsymbol(Figure2),whichmeansCaution,

Warning,orDanger—“personalsafetyinstruction.”

Readandunderstandtheinstructionbecauseithasto

dowithsafety.Failuretocomplywiththeinstruction

mayresultinpersonalinjury.

GeneralLawnMowerSafety

Thiscuttingmachineiscapableofamputatinghandsandfeet

andofthrowingobjects.Failuretoobservethefollowing

safetyinstructionscouldresultinseriousinjuryordeath.

Training

•Readtheinstructionscarefully.Befamiliarwiththe

controlsandtheproperuseoftheequipment.

•Neverallowchildrenorpeopleunfamiliarwiththese

instructionstousethemachine.Localregulationscan

restricttheageoftheoperator.

•Keepinmindthattheoperatororuserisresponsiblefor

accidentsorhazardsoccurringtootherpeopleortheir

property.

•Understandexplanationsforallpictogramsusedonthe

machineorintheinstructions.

Gasoline

WARNING-Gasolineishighlyammable.Takethe

followingprecautions.

•Storefuelincontainersspecicallydesignedforthis

purpose.

•Refueloutdoorsonlyanddonotsmokewhilerefueling.

•Addfuelbeforestartingtheengine.Neverremovethe

capofthefueltankoraddgasolinewhiletheengineis

runningorwhentheengineishot.

•Ifgasolineisspilled,donotattempttostarttheengine

butmovethemachineawayfromtheareaofspillageand

avoidcreatinganysourceofignitionuntilgasolinevapors

havedissipated.

•Replaceallfueltankandcontainercapssecurely.

Preparation

•Whilemowing,alwayswearsubstantial,slip-resistant

footwearandlongtrousers.Donotoperatethe

equipmentwhenbarefootorwearingopensandals.

•Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentisto

beusedandremoveallstones,sticks,wires,bonesand

otherforeignobjects.

•Beforeusing,alwaysvisuallyinspecttoseethatguardsand

safetydevices,suchasdeectorsand/orgrasscatchers,

areinplaceandworkingcorrectly.

•Beforeusing,alwaysvisuallyinspecttoseethattheblades,

bladeboltsandcutterassemblyarenotwornordamaged.

Replacewornordamagedbladesandboltsinsetsto

preservebalance.

Starting

•Donottiltthemachinewhenstartingtheengineunless

themachinemustbetiltedforstarting.Inthiscase,do

nottiltitmorethanabsolutelynecessaryandliftonlythe

partwhichisawayfromtheoperator.

•Starttheenginecarefullyaccordingtoinstructionsand

withfeetwellawayfromtheblade(s)andnotinfrontof

thedischargechute.

Operation

•Nevermowwhilepeople,especiallychildren,orpetsare

nearby.

•Mowonlyindaylightoringoodarticiallight.

•Stayalertforholesintheterrainandotherhiddenhazards.

•Donotputhandsorfeetnearorunderrotatingparts.

Keepclearofthedischargeopeningatalltimes.

•Neverpickuporcarryalawnmowerwhiletheengineis

running.

•Useextremecautionwhenreversingorpullinga

pedestrian-controlledmowertowardyou.

•Walk,neverrun.

•Slopes:

–Donotmowexcessivelysteepslopes.

–Exerciseextremecautionwhenonslopes.

–Mowacrossthefaceofslopes,neverupanddown,

andexerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirection

onslopes.

–Alwaysbesureofyourfootingonslopes.

•Reducespeedonslopesandinsharpturnstoprevent

overturningorlossofcontrol.

•Stopthebladeifthemachinemustbetiltedfor

transportationwhencrossingsurfacesotherthangrass

andwhentransportingthemachinetoandfromthearea

tobemowed.

•Donotoperatetheengineinaconnedspacewhere

dangerouscarbonmonoxideandotherexhaustgasses

cancollect.

•Stoptheengine

–wheneveryouleavethemachine.

–beforerefueling.

–beforeremovingthegrasscatcher.

–beforemakingheightadjustmentunlessadjustment

canbemadefromtheoperatingposition.

•Stoptheengineanddisconnectthespark-plugwire.

–beforeclearingblockagesoruncloggingchute.

–beforechecking,cleaningorworkingonthemachine.

–afterstrikingaforeignobject,inspectthemachine

fordamageandmakerepairsbeforerestartingand

operatingthemachine.

–ifthemachinestartstovibrateabnormally(check

immediately).

•Lightningcancausesevereinjuryordeath.Ifyousee

lightningorhearthunderinthearea,donotoperatethe

machine;seekshelter.

•Watchoutfortrafcwhencrossingornearroadways.

MaintenanceandStorage

•Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrewstighttobesurethatthe

equipmentisinsafeworkingcondition.

•Donotusepressure-cleaningequipmentonthemachine.

•Neverstoretheequipmentwithgasolineinthetankand

insideabuildingwherefumescanreachanopename

orspark.

•Allowtheenginetocoolbeforestoringinanyenclosure.

•Toreducetherehazard,keeptheengine,silencer,

batterycompartmentandgasolinestorageareafreeof

grass,leaves,orexcessivegrease.

•Checkgrasscatchercomponentsandthedischargeguard

frequentlyandreplacewithmanufacturer'srecommended

parts,whennecessary.

•Replacewornordamagedpartsforsafety.

•Replacefaultysilencers.

•Ifthefueltankhastobedrained,dothisoutdoors.

•Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingsoroverspeed

theengine.Operatinganengineatexcessivespeedcan

increasethehazardofpersonalinjury.

•Becarefulwhileadjustingthemachinetoprevent

entrapmentofthengersbetweenmovingbladesand

xedpartsofthemachine.

•Toensurethebestperformanceandsafety,

purchaseonlygenuineTororeplacementpartsand

accessories.Donotuse

will t

partsandaccessories;

theymaycauseasafetyhazard.

Hauling

•Usecarewhenloadingorunloadingthemachineintoa

traileroratruck.

•Usefull-widthrampsforloadingthemachineintoa

traileroratruck.

•Tiethemachinedownsecurelyusingstraps,chains,cable,

orropes.Boththefrontandtherearstrapsshouldbe

directeddownandoutwardfromthemachine.

SoundPressure

Thisunithasasoundpressurelevelattheoperator’searof89

dBA,whichincludesanUncertaintyValue(K)of1dBA.

Thesoundpressurelevelwasdeterminedaccordingtothe

proceduresoutlinedinENISO5395:2013.

SoundPower

Thisunithasaguaranteedsoundpowerlevelof98dBA,

whichincludesanUncertaintyValue(K)of1dBA.

Thesoundpowerlevelwasdeterminedaccordingtothe

proceduresoutlinedinISO11094.

CAUTION

Long-termexposuretonoisewhileoperatingthe

machinemaycausesomehearingloss.

Wearadequatehearingprotectionwheneveryou

operatethemachineforanextendedperiodoftime.

Hand/ArmVibration

Measuredvibrationlevelforrighthand=5.1m/s

Measuredvibrationlevelforlefthand=4.8m/s

UncertaintyValue(K)=2.0m/s

Measuredvaluesweredeterminedaccordingtotheprocedures

outlinedinENISO5395:2013.

CAUTION

Long-termexposuretovibrationwhileoperating

themachinemaycausesomenumbnessinthe

handsandwrists.

Wearglovesthatdampenthevibrationwhenever

youoperatethemachineforanextendedperiodof

time.

SafetyandInstructionalDecals

Important:Safetyandinstructiondecalsarelocatednearareasofpotentialdanger.Replacedamageddecals.

Manufacturer'sMark

1.Indicatesthebladeisidentiedasapartfromtheoriginal

machinemanufacturer.

108-7450

1.Heightofcut

108-7451

1.Heightofcut

110-9457

1.EngineswitchOff

3.Unlocked

2.EngineswitchOn

4.Locked

112-8760

1.Thrownobjecthazard—keepbystandersasafedistance

fromthemachine.

2.Cutting/dismembermentofhandorfoot—stayawayfrom

movingparts.

121–2370

1.Handleinraisedposition3.Footpedallocation

2.Handleinloweredposition

Setup

Important:Removeanddiscardtheprotectiveplastic

sheetthatcoverstheengine.

UnfoldingtheHandle

NoPartsRequired

Procedure

1.Steponthefootpedalandholditdown(Figure3).

Figure3

2.UnfoldthehandleasshowninFigure4.

g027331

Figure4

3.Tightenallhandleknobs.

4.Movetheupperhandletothedesiredpositionand

tightentheupperhandleknobrmly(Figure5).

Figure5

InstallingtheRecoil-Starter

RopeintheRopeGuide

NoPartsRequired

Procedure

Important:Youmustinstalltherecoil-starterropein

theropeguide.

Holdtheblade-controlbartotheupperhandleandpullthe

recoil-starterropethroughtheropeguideonthehandle

(Figure6).

Figure6

1.Recoil-starterrope2.Ropeguide

FillingtheEnginewithOil

NoPartsRequired

Procedure

Important:Thismachinedoesnotcomewithoilinthe

engine.Beforestartingtheengine,lltheenginewith

oil.

Important:Changetheengineoilaftertherst5

operatinghours;changeityearlythereafter.Referto

ChangingtheEngineOil(page16).

1.Movethemachinetoalevelsurface.

2.Removethedipstick(Figure7)andpourabout3/4of

thecrankcasecapacityofoilintotheoil-lltube.

Note:Max.ll:0.59L(20oz),type:SAE30

detergentoilwithanAPIserviceclassicationofSF,

SG,SH,SJ,SL,orhigher.

Figure7

3.Wipeoffthedipstickendwithacleancloth.

4.Insertthedipstickintotheoil-lltube,andscrewit

inuntilitstops.

5.Removethedipstickandreadtheoillevelonthe

dipstick;refertoFigure7.

•Iftheoillevelistoolow,addasmallamountof

oilslowlytotheoil-lltube,andthenrepeatsteps

3through5untiltheoilleveliscorrectasshown

inFigure7.

•Iftheoillevelistoohigh,draintheexcessoiluntil

youobtainthecorrectoillevelonthedipstick.To

draintheexcessoil,refertoChangingtheEngine

Oil(page16).

Important:Iftheoillevelinthecrankcaseistoo

lowortoohighandyouruntheengine,youmay

damagetheengine.

6.Installthedipsticksecurelybyhand.

InstalltheMulchPlugorthe

GrassBag

NoPartsRequired

Procedure

Important:Youmustcorrectlyinstallthemulchplug

(formulchingorside-discharging)orthegrassbag(for

bagging);otherwise,theenginewillnotstart.

Themachinehasasafetyswitch,locatedatthebottomofthe

channelatthetop,rightrearofthemachine,thatprevents

themachinefromoperatingwithoutamulchplugoragrass

bag.Thispreventsthemachinefromthrowingdebrisatthe

operatorthroughtherearchute.

Fortheswitchtodetectthepresenceofthemulchplug,the

topofthemulchpluglevermustliefullyinthebottom

ofthechannel(Figure8).

Figure8

1.Topofmulchplugleverinchannelbottom

1.Insertthemulchplugintothemachineifitisn'talready

installed(Figure9).

Figure9

2.Squeezethebuttonontheleverwithyourthumb,and

fullyinsertthemulchplugintotheopening(Figure10).

Figure10

3.Releasethebuttonontheleverandensurethatthetop

oftheleverisliesfullyintheswitchchannel(Figure

11).Ifthetopoftheleverisnotintheswitch

channel,yourmachinewillnotstart.

Figure11

Note:Iftheleverdoesnotlatchproperly,disconnect

thewirefromthesparkplugandcheckforandremove

anydebrisbuildupinthetunnel.

AssemblingtheGrassBag

NoPartsRequired

Procedure

1.SlipthegrassbagovertheframeasshowninFigure12.

g027156

Figure12

1.Handle

3.Grassbag

2.Frame

Note:Donotslipthebagoverthehandle(Figure12).

2.Hookthebottomchannelofthebagontothebottom

oftheframe(Figure13).

g027157

Figure13

3.Hookthetopandsidechannelsofthebagontothetop

andsidesoftheframe,respectively(Figure13).

ProductOverview

G020408

Figure14

1.Cutting-heightlever(4)

6.Recoil-starthandle

2.Airlter

7.Blade-controlbar

3.Fuel-tankcap8.Upper-handleknob

4.Oilll/Dipstick9.Sparkplug

5.Footpedal

Figure15

1.Grassbag3.Mulchplug(installed)

2.Side-dischargechute

Specications

ModelWeightLengthWidthHeight

2099637kg

(82lb)

157cm

(62

inches)

56cm

(22

inches)

112cm

(44

inches)

Operation

FillingtheFuelTank

DANGER

Gasolineisextremelyammableandexplosive.A

reorexplosionfromgasolinecanburnyouand

others.

•Topreventastaticchargefromignitingthe

gasoline,placethecontainerand/ormachine

directlyonthegroundbeforelling,notina

vehicleoronanobject.

•Fillthetankoutdoorswhentheengineiscold.

Wipeupspills.

•Donothandlegasolinewhensmokingoraround

anopenameorsparks.

•Storegasolineinanapprovedfuelcontainer,out

ofthereachofchildren.

•Forbestresults,useonlyclean,fresh(lessthan30days

old),unleadedgasolinewithanoctaneratingof87or

higher((R+M)/2ratingmethod).

•Oxygenatedfuelwithupto10%ethanolor15%MTBE

byvolumeisacceptable.

•Ethanol:Gasolinewithupto10%ethanol(gasohol)

or15%MTBE(methyltertiarybutylether)byvolume

isacceptable.EthanolandMTBEarenotthesame.

Gasolinewith15%ethanol(E15)byvolumeisnot

approvedforuse.Neverusegasolinethatcontainsmore

than10%ethanolbyvolume,suchasE15(contains15%

ethanol),E20(contains20%ethanol),orE85(contains

upto85%ethanol).Usingunapprovedgasolinemay

causeperformanceproblemsand/orenginedamage

whichmaynotbecoveredunderwarranty.

•Donotusegasolinecontainingmethanol.

•Donotstorefueleitherinthefueltankorinfuel

containersoverthewinterunlessafuelstabilizerisused.

•Donotaddoiltogasoline.

Fillthefueltankwithfreshunleadedregulargasolinefroma

majorname-brandservicestation(Figure16).

Important:Toreducestartingproblems,addfuel

stabilizertothefuelallseason,mixingitwithgasoline

lessthan30daysold.

g027527

1 cm (1/2 inch)

Figure16

CheckingtheEngine-OilLevel

ServiceInterval:Beforeeachuseordaily

Max.ll:0.59L(20oz),type:SAE30detergentoilwithan

APIserviceclassicationofSF,SG,SH,SJ,SL,orhigher.

1.Movethemachinetoalevelsurface.

2.Removethedipstick(Figure17).

Figure17

3.Wipeoffthedipstickendwithacleancloth.

4.Insertthedipstickintotheoil-lltubeandscrewitin

untilitstops.

5.Removethedipstickandreadtheoillevel;referto

Figure17.

•IftheoillevelisbelowtheAddmarkonthe

dipstick,slowlyaddasmallamountofoiltothe

oil-lltube,andthenrepeatsteps3through5until

theoillevelisattheFullmarkonthedipstick.

•IftheoillevelisabovetheFullmarkonthe

dipstick,draintheexcessoiluntiltheoillevelisat

theFullmarkonthedipstick.Todraintheexcess

oil,refertoChangingtheEngineOil(page16).

Important:Iftheoillevelinthecrankcaseis

toolowortoohighandyouruntheengine,

youmaydamagetheengine.

6.Installthedipsticksecurelybyhand.

AdjustingtheCuttingHeight

WARNING

Adjustingthecuttingheightmaybringyouinto

contactwiththemovingblade,causingserious

injury.

•Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingparts

tostop.

•Donotputyourngersunderthehousingwhen

adjustingthecuttingheight.

CAUTION

Iftheenginehasbeenrunning,themuferwillbe

hotandcanseverelyburnyou.Keepawayfromthe

hotmufer.

Adjustthecuttingheightasdesired.Setallfourwheelsto

thesameheight.

Note:Toraisethemachine,moveall4cuttingheightlevers

forward;tolowerthemachine,movethemallrearward

(Figure18).

Figure18

Note:Thecuttingheightsettingsare25mm(1inch);38

mm(1-1/2inches);51mm(2inches);64mm(2-1/2inches);

76mm(3inches);89mm(3-1/2inches);102mm(4inches);

and114mm(4-1/2inches).

AdjustingtheUpperHandle

Height

Youmayraiseorlowertheupperhandletoaposition

comfortableforyou.

Note:Youcannotraisetheupperhandlehigherthanthe

angleofthelowerhandle.

1.Loosentheupper-handleknob(Figure19).

Figure19

2.Movetheupperhandletothedesiredposition(Figure

20).

Figure20

3.Tightentheupper-handleknobrmly(Figure19).

Figure21

StartingtheEngine

Important:Themachinehasasafetysystemthat

preventsyoufromstartingthemachineunlessyourst

installthemulchplugorthegrassbagsecurelyonthe

machine.

1.Installthemulchplug(Figure22)orthegrassbag

(Figure23)onthemachine.

Figure22

Figure23

2.Holdtheblade-controlbaragainstthehandleandpull

therecoilstarter(Figure24).

Figure24

1.Blade-controlbar

Note:Ifthemachinestilldoesnotstart,contactan

AuthorizedServiceDealer.

3.Testthemachinesafetysystem;refertoTestingthe

MachineSafetySysteminStorage.

UsingtheSelf-PropelDrive

Tooperatetheself-propeldrive,simplywalkwithyourhands

ontheupperhandleandyourelbowsatyoursides,andthe

machinewillautomaticallykeeppacewithyou(Figure25and

Figure26).

Figure25

Figure26

Note:Ifthemachinedoesnotfreelyrollbackwardafter

self-propelling,stopwalking,holdyourhandsinplace,and

allowthemachinetorollacoupleofinches(centimeters)

forwardtodisengagethewheeldrive.Youcanalsotry

reachingjustunderthepersonalpacehandletothemetal

handleandpushthemachineforwardacoupleofinches

(centimeters).Ifthemachinestilldoesnotrollbackward

easily,contactanAuthorizedServiceDealer.

StoppingtheEngine

ServiceInterval:Beforeeachuseordaily—Ensurethat

theenginestopswithin3secondsafter

releasingtheblade-controlbar.

Tostoptheengine,releasetheblade-controlbar.

Important:Whenyoureleasetheblade-controlbar,

boththeengineandbladeshouldstopwithin3seconds.

Iftheydonotstopproperly,stopusingyourmachine

immediatelyandcontactanAuthorizedServiceDealer.

MulchingtheClippings

Yourmachinecomesfromthefactoryreadytomulchthe

grassandleafclippingsbackintothelawn.

Ifthegrassbagisonthemachine,removeit;referto

RemovingtheGrassBag(page13)beforemulchingthe

clippings.Iftheside-dischargechuteisonthemachine,

removeitandlocktheside-dischargedoor;refertoRemoving

theSide-DischargeChute(page14)beforemulchingthe

clippings.

Important:Themachinehasasafetyswitchthat

preventsyoufromstartingthemachineunlessyourst

installthemulchplugsecurelyonthemachine(Figure

27).

Figure27

1.Topofmulchplugleverinchannelbottom

BaggingtheClippings

Usethegrassbagwhenyouwanttocollectgrassandleaf

clippingsfromthelawn.

WARNING

Aworngrassbagcouldallowsmallstonesand

othersimilardebristobethrowntowardyouor

bystanders,resultinginseriouspersonalinjuryor

death.

Checkthegrassbagfrequently.Ifitisdamaged,

installanewTororeplacementbag.

Iftheside-dischargechuteisonthemachine,removeit

andlocktheside-dischargedoor;refertoRemovingthe

Side-DischargeChute(page14)beforebaggingtheclippings.

WARNING

Thebladeissharp;contactingthebladecanresult

inseriouspersonalinjury.

Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingpartstostop

beforeleavingtheoperatingposition.

InstallingtheGrassBag

1.Removethemulchplug(Figure28).

Figure28

2.Routethestarterropearoundthelower-ropeguide

(Figure29).

Figure29

Note:Thelower-ropeguidereleasesthestarterrope

whenyoupulltherecoil-starthandle.

3.Insertthegrass-baghandleintothegroovesatthetop

ofthemachine(Figure30).

Important:Themachinehasasafetyswitchthat

preventsyoufromstartingthemachineunlessyou

rstinstallthegrassbagsecurelyonthemachine.

Figure30

RemovingtheGrassBag

1.Routethestarterropearoundthelower-ropeguide

(Figure31).

Figure31

2.Liftthegrass-baghandleoutfromthegroovesatthe

topofthemachineandremovethebagfromthe

machine(Figure32).

Figure32

3.Insertthemulchplug(Figure33).

Figure33

Side-Dischargingthe

Clippings

Usethesidedischargeforcuttingverytallgrass.

Ifthebagisonthemachine,removeitandinsertthemulch

plug;refertoRemovingtheGrassBag(page13)before

side-dischargingtheclippings.

Important:Themachinehasasafetyswitchthat

preventsyoufromstartingthemachineunlessyourst

installthemulchplugsecurelyonthemachine;referto

MulchingtheClippings(page12).

InstallingtheSide-DischargeChute

1.Unlocktheside-dischargedoor(Figure34).

Figure34

2.Liftopentheside-dischargedoor(Figure35).

Figure35

3.Installtheside-dischargechuteandclosethedooronto

thechute(Figure36).

Figure36

RemovingtheSide-DischargeChute

Toremovethesidedischargechute,reversethestepsabove.

Important:Locktheside-dischargedoorafteryouclose

it(Figure37).

Figure37

OperatingTips

GeneralMowingTips

•Cleartheareaofsticks,stones,wire,branches,andother

debristhatthebladecouldhit.

•Avoidstrikingsolidobjectswiththeblade.Never

deliberatelymowoveranyobject.

•Ifthemachinestrikesanobjectorstartstovibrate,

immediatelystoptheengine,disconnectthewirefrom

thesparkplug,andexaminethemachinefordamage.

•Forbestperformance,installanewbladebeforethe

cuttingseasonbegins.

•ReplacethebladewhennecessarywithaToro

replacementblade.

CuttingGrass

•Cutonlyaboutathirdofthegrassbladeatatime.Donot

cutbelowthe51mm(2inch)settingunlessthegrassis

sparseoritislatefallwhengrassgrowthbeginstoslow

down.RefertoAdjustingtheCuttingHeight(page10).

•Whencuttinggrassover15cm(6inch)tall,mowatthe

highestcutting-heightsettingandwalkslower;thenmow

againatalowersettingforthebestlawnappearance.If

thegrassistoolong,themachinemayplugandcause

theenginetostall.

•Mowonlydrygrassorleaves.Wetgrassandleavestend

toclumpontheyardandcancausethemachinetoplug

ortheenginetostall.

WARNING

Wetgrassorleavescancauseseriousinjuryif

youslipandcontacttheblade.Mowonlyindry

conditions.

•Alternatethemowingdirection.Thishelpsdispersethe

clippingsoverthelawnforevenfertilization.

•Ifthenishedlawnappearanceisunsatisfactory,try1

ormoreofthefollowing:

–Replacethebladeorhaveitsharpened.

–Walkataslowerpacewhilemowing.

–Raisethecuttingheightonyourmachine.

–Cutthegrassmorefrequently.

–Overlapcuttingswathsinsteadofcuttingafullswath

witheachpass.

–Setthecuttingheightonthefrontwheelsanotch

lowerthantherearwheels.Forexample,setthefront

wheelsat51mm(2inches)andtherearwheelsat64

mm(2-1/2inches).

CuttingLeaves

•Aftercuttingthelawn,ensurethathalfofthelawnshows

throughthecutleafcover.Youmayneedtomakemore

thanasinglepassovertheleaves.

•Iftherearemorethan13cm(5inches)ofleavesonthe

lawn,setthefrontcuttingheight1or2notcheshigher

thantherearcuttingheight.

•Slowdownyourmowingspeedifthemachinedoesnot

cuttheleavesnelyenough.

Maintenance

Note:Determinetheleftandrightsidesofthemachinefromthenormaloperatingposition.

RecommendedMaintenanceSchedule(s)

MaintenanceService

Interval

MaintenanceProcedure

Aftertherst5hours

•Changetheengineoil.

Beforeeachuseordaily

•Checktheengineoillevel.

•Ensurethattheenginestopswithin3secondsafterreleasingtheblade-controlbar.

•Cleanunderthemachine.

Every25hours

•Replacetheairlteryearly;replaceitmorefrequentlyindustyoperatingconditions.

Every50hours

•Changetheengineoil;changeitmorefrequentlyindustyoperatingconditions.

Yearly

•Lubricatethewheelgears.

•Lubricatetheupperhandle.

Yearlyorbeforestorage

•Changetheengineoil;changeitmorefrequentlyindustyoperatingconditions.

•Replacetheblade.

Important:Refertoyourengineowner'smanualforadditionalmaintenanceprocedures.

PreparingforMaintenance

1.Stoptheengineandwaitforallmovingpartstostop.

2.Disconnectthespark-plugwirefromthesparkplug

(Figure38)beforeperforminganymaintenance

procedure.

Figure38

3.Afterperformingthemaintenanceprocedure(s),

connectthespark-plugwiretothesparkplug.

Important:Beforetippingthemachinetochange

theoilorreplacetheblade,allowthefueltankto

rundrythroughnormalusage.Ifyoumusttip

themachinepriortorunningoutoffuel,usea

handfuelpumptoremovethefuel.Alwaystipthe

machineontoitssidewiththeairlterup.

WARNING

Tippingthemachinemaycausethefuelto

leak.Gasolineisammableandexplosiveand

cancausepersonalinjury.

Runtheenginedryorremovethegasoline

withahandpump;neversiphon.

ReplacingtheAirFilter

ServiceInterval:Every25hours

1.Useascrewdrivertoopentheair-ltercover(Figure

39).

Figure39

2.Replacetheairlter(Figure40).

Figure40

ChangingtheEngineOil

ServiceInterval:Aftertherst5hours

Every50hours

Yearlyorbeforestorage

Note:Max.ll:0.59L(20oz),type:SAE30detergent

oilwithanAPIserviceclassicationofSF,SG,SH,SJ,SL,

orhigher.

1.Movethemachinetoalevelsurface.

2.Ensurethatthefueltankcontainslittleornofuelso

thatfueldoesnotleakoutwhenyoutipthemachine

ontoitsside.

3.Runtheengineafewminutesbeforechangingtheoil

towarmit.

Note:Warmoilowsbetterandcarriesmore

contaminants.

4.Disconnectthewirefromthesparkplug;referto

PreparingforMaintenance(page16).

5.Setanoil-drainpanbesidethemachineonthesideof

thedipstick.

6.Removethedipstickfromtheoil-lltube(Figure41).

Figure41

7.Tipthemachineontoitsside,withtheoil-lltube

down,todraintheusedoiloutthroughtheoil-lltube

intotheoil-drainpan(Figure42).

G019342

Figure42

8.Afterdrainingtheusedoil,returnthemachinetothe

operatingposition.

9.Pourabout3/4ofthecrankcasecapacityofoilinto

theoil-lltube.

Note:Max.ll:0.59L(20oz),type:SAE30

detergentoilwithanAPIserviceclassicationofSF,

SG,SH,SJ,SL,orhigher.

10.Wipeoffthedipstickendwithacleancloth.

11.Insertthedipstickintotheoil-lltubeandscrewitin

untilitstops.

12.Removethedipstickandreadtheoillevel;referto

Figure43.

Figure43

•IftheoillevelisbelowtheAddmarkonthe

dipstick,slowlyaddasmallamountofoiltothe

oil-lltube,andthenrepeatsteps10through12

untiltheoillevelisattheFullmarkonthedipstick.

•IftheoillevelisabovetheFullmarkonthe

dipstick,draintheexcessoiluntiltheoillevelisat

theFullmarkonthedipstick.

Important:Iftheoillevelinthecrankcaseis

toolowortoohighandyouruntheengine,

youmaydamagetheengine.

13.Installthedipsticksecurelybyhand.

14.Recycletheusedoilatalocalrecyclingcenter.

LubricatingtheWheelGears

ServiceInterval:Yearly

1.Removethewheelboltinthecenterofeachrearwheel

andremovetherearwheels.

2.Applyalubricatingoiltotheinnerandoutersidesof

thegearasshowninFigure44.

Figure44

3.Installtherearwheels.

LubricatingtheUpperHandle

ServiceInterval:Yearly

Lubricatetheleftandrightsidesoftheupperhandlewitha

low-viscositysiliconespraylubricantyearlyorasneeded.

1.Spraytheouterplasticendoftheinnerhandle(Figure

45).

Figure45

Note:Usethestrawthatcomeswiththespraycanto

directthespray.

2.Pushtheupperhandlefullydownandspraytheinner

plasticsurfaceoftheouterhandle(Figure46).

Figure46

AdjustingtheSelf-PropelDrive

Cable

1.Loosenthenutonthecablemount(Figure47).

G009696

Figure47

1.Cablemount

2.Pulltheupperhandlebackfullyrearward.

Note:Ifthehandledoesnotmovesmoothly,referto

LubricatingtheUpperHandle(page18).

3.Pullthecablejacketdownwarduntilyouremovethe

slackintheexposedcable(Figure48).

Figure48

1.Exposedcable

4.Pushthecablejacketupward3mm(1/8inch).

Note:Youcanplacearuleragainsttheuppersideof

theblackcablemountandmeasurehowfartheupper

endofthecablejacketmoves(Figure49).

Figure49

1.Cablemount2.Cablejacket

Note:Movingthecablejacketupwarddecreasesthe

groundspeed;movingthejacketdownwardincreases

thegroundspeed.

5.Tightenthenutrmly.

6.Startthemachineandchecktheadjustment.

Note:Iftheself-propeldriveisnotproperlyadjusted,

repeatthisprocedure.

ReplacingtheBlade

ServiceInterval:Yearlyorbeforestorage

Important:

Y ou will need a torque wr ench to install the

blade pr oper l y .

Ifyoudonothaveatorquewrenchorare

uncomfortableperformingthisprocedure,contactan

AuthorizedServiceDealer.

Examinethebladewheneveryourunoutofgasoline.Ifthe

bladeisdamagedorcracked,replaceitimmediately.Ifthe

bladeedgeisdullornicked,haveitsharpenedorreplaceit.

WARNING

Thebladeissharp;contactingthebladecanresult

inseriouspersonalinjury.

Weargloveswhenservicingtheblade.

1.Disconnectthespark-plugwirefromthesparkplug;

refertoPreparingforMaintenance(page16).

2.Tipthemachineontothesidewiththedipstickdown.

3.Useablockofwoodtoholdthebladesteady(Figure

50).

Figure50

4.Removetheblade,savingallmountinghardware

(Figure50).

5.Installthenewbladeandallmountinghardware

(Figure51).

Figure51

Important:Positionthecurvedendsoftheblade

topointtowardthemachinehousing.

6.Useatorquewrenchtotightenthebladeboltto82

N-m(60ft-lb).

Important:Abolttorquedto82N-m(60ft-lb)is

verytight.Whileholdingthebladewithablock

ofwood,putyourweightbehindtheratchetor

wrenchandtightentheboltsecurely.Thisboltis

verydifculttoovertighten.

CleaningundertheMachine

ServiceInterval:Beforeeachuseordaily

WARNING

Themachinemaydislodgematerialfromunderthe

machine.

•Weareyeprotection.

•Stayintheoperatingposition(behindthe

handle).

•Donotallowbystandersinthearea.

1.Withtheenginerunningonaatpavedsurface,spraya

streamofwaterinfrontoftherightrearwheel(Figure

52).

Note:Thewaterwillsplashintothepathoftheblade,

cleaningouttheclippings.

Figure52

2.Whennomoreclippingscomeout,stopthewaterand

movethemachinetoadryarea.

3.Runtheengineforafewminutestodrytheunderside

ofthemachinetopreventitfromrusting.

Storage

PreparingtheMachinefor

Storage

WARNING

Gasolinevaporscanexplode.

•Donotstoregasolinemorethan30days.

•Donotstorethemachineinanenclosurenear

anopename.

•Allowtheenginetocoolbeforestoringit.

1.Onthelastrefuelingoftheyear,addfuelstabilizerto

thefuelasdirectedbytheenginemanufacturer.

2.Runthemachineuntiltheenginestopsfromrunning

outoffuel.

3.Primetheengineandstartitagain.

4.Allowtheenginetorununtilitstops.Whenyoucan

nolongerstarttheengine,itissufcientlydry.

5.Disconnectthewirefromthesparkplug.

6.Removethesparkplug,add30ml(1oz)ofoilthrough

thesparkplughole,andpullthestarterropeslowly

severaltimestodistributeoilthroughoutthecylinder

topreventcylindercorrosionduringtheoff-season.

7.Looselyinstallthesparkplug.

8.Tightenallnuts,bolts,andscrews.

FoldingtheHandle

UprightPosition

1.Steponthefootpedalandholditdown(Figure53).

Figure53

2.Movethehandletotheuprightposition(Figure54).

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Toro 20996, 53cm Recycler Lawn Mower Owner's manual

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