18in Turf Seeder

• Read the Operator's Manual and other training material. If the operator(s) or mechanic(s) can’t read English, it is the owner's responsibility to explain this material to them.

• Become familiar with the safe operation of the equipment, operator controls, and safety signs.

• All operators and mechanics should be trained. The owner is responsible for training the users.

• Never let children or untrained people operate or service the equipment. Local regulations may restrict the age of the operator.

• The owner/user can prevent and is responsible for accidents or injuries occurring to himself or herself, other people or property.

• Use your full attention while operating the machine. Do not engage in any activity that causes distractions; otherwise, injury or property damage may occur.

• Never run an engine in an enclosed area.

• Operate the machine only in good light, keeping away from holes and hidden hazards.

• Start the engine only from the operator’s position.

• Never operate without the shields, covers, or other guards securely in place. Ensure that all interlocks are functioning properly.

• Do not change the engine governor setting or overspeed the engine.

• Raise the cutting blades, stop the machine, and shut off the engine before leaving the operator’s position for any reason.

• Stop the machine, shut off the engine, wait for all moving parts to stop, and inspect the cutting blades after striking an object or if an abnormal vibration occurs. Make necessary repairs before resuming operation.

• Keep your hands and feet away from the cutting blade area.

• Keep bystanders, especially small children, out of the operating area. Stop the machine if anyone enters the area.

• Be alert, slow down, and use caution when making turns. Look behind and to the side before changing directions.

• Slow down and use caution when crossing roads and sidewalks.

• Do not operate the machine while ill, tired, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Lightning can cause severe injury or death. If lightning is seen or thunder is heard in the area, do not operate the machine; seek shelter.

• Use extreme care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer or truck.

• Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.

• Always be aware of obstacles that may be in the area of operation. Plan your path to avoid contact with any obstacle by you or the machine.

• Park the machine on a level surface, shut off the engine, and wait for all movement to stop before adjusting, cleaning, or repairing. Raise the cutting blades, stop the machine, shut off the engine, and disconnect the spark-plug wire.

• Clean grass and debris from the blades, drives, mufflers, and engine to help prevent fires. Clean up oil or fuel spills.

• Let the engine cool before storing and do not store the machine near a flame.

• Shut off the fuel while storing or transporting the machine on trailers. Do not store fuel near flames or drain indoors.

• Never allow untrained personnel to service the machine.

• Use jack stands or safety latches to support components when required.

• Carefully release pressure from components with stored energy.

• Remove the spark-plug wire before making any repairs.

• Keep your hands and feet away from moving parts. If possible, do not make adjustments with the engine running.

• Keep all parts in good working condition and all hardware tightened. Replace all worn or damaged decals.

• To best protect your investment and maintain optimal performance of your Toro equipment, count on Toro genuine parts. When it comes to reliability, Toro delivers replacement parts designed to the exact engineering specifications of our equipment. Use only Toro genuine parts.

• For best results, use only clean, fresh (less than 30 days old), unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher ((R+M)/2 rating method).

• Ethanol: Gasoline with up to 10% ethanol (gasohol) or 15% MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) by volume is acceptable. Ethanol and MTBE are not the same. Gasoline with 15% ethanol (E15) by volume is not approved for use. Never use gasoline that contains more than 10% ethanol by volume, such as E15 (contains 15% ethanol), E20 (contains 20% ethanol), or E85 (contains up to 85% ethanol). Using unapproved gasoline may cause performance problems and/or engine damage which may not be covered under warranty.

• Do not use gasoline containing methanol.

• Do not store fuel either in the fuel tank or fuel containers over the winter unless you use a fuel stabilizer.

• Do not add oil to gasoline.

Use a fuel stabilizer/conditioner in the machine to provide the following benefits:

• Keeps fuel fresh during storage of 90 days or less (drain the fuel tank when storing the machine for more than 90 days)

• Cleans the engine while it runs

• Eliminates gum-like varnish buildup in the fuel system, which causes hard starting

  Important: Do not use fuel additives containing methanol or ethanol.

  Add the correct amount of fuel stabilizer/conditioner to the fuel.

  Note: A fuel stabilizer/conditioner is most effective when mixed with fresh fuel. To minimize the chance of varnish deposits in the fuel system, use fuel stabilizer at all times.

1. Park the machine on a level surface, disengage the cutting blades, stop the engine, wait for all moving parts to stop, and turn the engine switch to the OFF position.

2. Allow the engine to cool.

3. Clean around the fuel-tank cap and remove it (Figure 11).

   Note: The cap is tethered to the fuel tank.

   

   Figure 11

4. Add unleaded fuel to the fuel tank until the level is just inside the mesh filter basket.

   Important: This space in the tank allows fuel to expand. Do not fill the fuel tank completely full.

5. Install the fuel-tank cap securely.

6. Wipe up any spilled fuel.

• As seed flow varies greatly between different seed types, fill the hopper with a minimal amount of seed, and run a trial portion of the yard to ensure you have the desired seed output.

• For optimal coverage, reduce the seed flow to 1/2 the desired amount and seed the entire yard in 1 direction, then complete a second coverage perpendicular to the first.

• Set the cutting blades 3 to 6 mm (1/8 to 1/4 inch) into the earth (below the zero position).

• Mow the lawn shorter than normal mowing length before seeding.

• Seed the lawn before prime grass growing season.

• Give the lawn extra watering after seeding.

To break new ground or till an existing lawn, set the cutting blades 6 to 12 mm (1/4 to 1/2 inch) into the earth (below the zero position). Allow the machine to move at its own pace through the soil, going forward and backward over the area to be leveled, or making multiple passes from different directions.

Before performing any maintenance on the engine, belts, or cutting blades, disconnect the spark-plug wire from the spark plug (Figure 12).

Figure 12

1. Spark-plug wire

Important: Do not operate the engine without the air filter assembly; extreme engine damage will occur.

1. Park the machine on a level surface, disengage the cutting blades, shut off the engine, and wait for all moving parts to stop, and turn the engine switch to the OFF position.

2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.

3. Remove the nut that secures the cover ().

   

   Figure 13

   1. Nut
   2. Cover
   3. Paper element
   4. Foam element

4. Remove the cover.

   Note: Be careful to prevent dirt and debris from falling into the base.

5. Remove the nut restraining air filter assembly.

6. Remove the foam and paper elements from the base ().

7. Remove the foam element from the paper element ().

8. Inspect the foam and paper elements, and replace them if they are damaged or excessively dirty.

9. If the paper element is excessively dirty, replace it.

   Note: Never try to brush dirt off the paper element; brushing forces the dirt into the fibers.

10. Clean the foam element in warm, soapy water or in a nonflammable solvent.

    Note: Do not use fuel to clean the foam element because it could create a risk of fire or explosion.

11. Rinse and dry the foam element thoroughly.

12. Dip the foam element in clean engine oil, then squeeze out the excess oil.

    Note: Excess oil in the foam element restricts the air flow through the element and may reach the paper filter and clog it.

13. Wipe dirt from the base and the cover with a moist rag.

    Note: Be careful to prevent dirt and debris from entering the air duct leading to the carburetor.

14. Install the air-cleaner elements and ensure that they are properly positioned.

15. Secure the air-cleaner elements with the previously removed nut.

16. Securely install the cover with the previously removed nut.

1. Park the machine on a level surface, disengage the cutting blades, shut off the engine, and wait for all moving parts to stop, and turn the engine switch to the OFF position.

   Note: To ensure a more accurate measurement, adjust the depth control lever until the engine is also level.

2. Clean around the dipstick (Figure 14) so that dirt cannot fall into the filler hole and damage the engine.

   

   Figure 14

   1. Dipstick

3. Unscrew the dipstick and wipe the end clean (Figure 14).

4. Insert the dipstick fully onto the filler tube. Do not screw in. (Figure 14).

5. Remove the dipstick again and look at the end. If the engine oil level is low, slowly pour only enough oil into the filler tube to raise the level to the upper limit of the dipstick or the bottom edge of the filler tube (Figure 15).

   

   Figure 15

   1. Filler tube
   2. Dipstick
   3. Upper limit
   4. Lower limit
   5. Oil-drain bolt

   Important: Do not overfill the crankcase with engine oil and run the engine; engine damage may result.

Oil Type: Detergent oil (API service SJ or higher)

Crankcase Capacity: 1.1 L (37 fl oz)

Viscosity: See table below

Figure 16

1. Park the machine on a level surface, disengage the cutting blades, shut off the engine, and wait for all moving parts to stop, and turn the engine switch to the OFF position.

2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.

3. Raise the front wheels a few inches off the ground and place a pan under the drain plug to catch the oil.

4. Remove the drain plug (Figure 17).

   

   Figure 17

   1. Drain plug

5. When the oil has drained completely, lower the front wheels to the ground, replace the drain plug, and torque to 17 N∙m (13 ft-lb).

   Note: Dispose of the used oil at a certified recycling center.

6. Remove the dipstick and slowly pour oil into the filler hole until the oil level reaches the middle of the dipstick (Figure 15).

7. Replace and secure the dipstick.

8. Wipe up any spilled oil.

9. Connect the wire to the spark plug.

1. Park the machine on a level surface, disengage the cutting blades, shut off the engine, and wait for all moving parts to stop, and turn the engine switch to the OFF position.

2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.

3. Move the fuel shutoff valve to the Off position.

4. Remove the sediment cup and O-ring (Figure 18).

   

   Figure 18

   1. O-ring
   2. Sediment cup

5. Wash the sediment cup in a nonflammable solvent and dry it thoroughly.

6. Place the O-ring in the fuel valve and install the sediment cup, tightening it securely.

7. Move the fuel shutoff lever to the On position.

   If any fuel leaks, repeat this procedure and replace the O-ring.

Type: NGK BPR6ES or equivalent.

Air Gap: 0.76 mm (0.03 inch)

Checking the Spark Plug

Important: Do not clean the spark plug(s). Always replace the spark plug(s) when it has a black coating, worn electrodes, an oily film, or cracks.

If you see light brown or gray on the insulator, the engine is operating properly. A black coating on the insulator usually means the air cleaner is dirty.

Set the gap to 0.76 mm (0.03 inch).

Figure 20

1. Park the machine on a level surface, disengage the cutting blades, shut off the engine, and wait for all moving parts to stop, turn the engine switch to the OFF position, and raise the cutting blades to the transport position.

2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.

3. Stop the machine on a level surface, stop the engine by releasing the operator presence bail, disconnect the spark-plug wire,

4. Remove the 4 bolts securing the belt cover to the left side of the machine and remove the cover (Figure 21).

   

   Figure 21

   1. Belt
   2. Cover
   3. Bolts

5. Check the tension of the belt (Figure 21).

   Note: The belt should not flex more than a 12 mm (1/2 inch) with moderate finger pressure applied to the span just above the machine frame.

6. If the belt tension is loose, refer to Adjusting the Belt Tension.

7. Install the belt cover before operating the machine.

1. To tighten the belt, loosen the 4 mounting nuts securing the engine to the frame.

   

   Figure 22

   1. Mounting nuts

2. Move the engine to tighten the belt to the proper tension.

3. Secure the 4 mounting nuts and bolts.

   Note: Torque the bolts that secure the engine to the frame 271 N∙m (200 in-lb).

When the cutting blades are worn down and no longer functioning properly, replace them, as follows:

Important: Perform this procedure when the fuel tank is empty or nearly empty. Tip the unit forward to keep air filter up.

1. Park the machine on a level surface, disengage the cutting blades, shut off the engine, and wait for all moving parts to stop, and turn the engine switch to the OFF position.

2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.

3. Remove the 4 bolts and 4 nuts securing the belt cover to the left side of the machine, and remove the cover.

4. Remove the cutting blades drive belt from the machine.

5. Tilt the machine forward onto its nose, resting on a block of wood.

   Note: It will take 2 people to tip the machine forward safely.

6. Lower the cutting blades to the lowest position.

7. Spin the cutting blade assembly manually.

   Note: The blade assembly should spin freely. If it makes a grinding noise and is halting, the bearings are worn; replace them when you replace the blades.

8. Remove the 4 bolts and locknuts securing the cutting blade assembly (Figure 23), and remove it from the machine.

   

   Figure 23

   1. Bolt
   2. Bearing
   3. Washer
   4. Blade
   5. Spacer
   6. Shaft
   7. Nut

9. Loosen and remove the nut and washer from the shaft (Figure 23).

10. Slide the spacer off the shaft (Figure 23).

11. Carefully slide the blades off the shaft (Figure 23) and replace them as necessary.

12. Reverse this procedure to install the assembly.